where is the best place to shop art supplies ?
where is the best place to shop art supplies
?
When you're ready to actually start buying materials, you have plenty of choices. So where do you start your search? This article highlights your main options, including art supply stores (your best choice), online stores, and other types of stores that sell art supplies.
You can find art supplies in many places today. Although we suggest you start with specialty art supply stores, these shops can be more expensive, and not every town or city has one. In order to locate one of these stores, first look in a phonebook and see what's available in your area. Do some research to determine whether these stores can help you get the items on your shopping list.
Buying from art suppliers
When purchasing art supplies, we suggest you first start with art supply stores. The main advantage of shopping at a specialty art store is a better selection of materials and a more knowledgeable staff than you'd get in the art supply sections of other kinds of stores. Although the prices may be higher, the owners and salespeople in these stores typically know what they're talking about, and they can advise you on a range of questions you may have, including knowing the differences between certain brands, understanding various papers and fixatives, and squeezing the most supplies out of a small budget.
When purchasing art supplies, we suggest you first start with art supply stores. The main advantage of shopping at a specialty art store is a better selection of materials and a more knowledgeable staff than you'd get in the art supply sections of other kinds of stores. Although the prices may be higher, the owners and salespeople in these stores typically know what they're talking about, and they can advise you on a range of questions you may have, including knowing the differences between certain brands, understanding various papers and fixatives, and squeezing the most supplies out of a small budget.
In addition, art supply stores often let you experiment with different materials to see which ones you like better. They offer information and advice, and sometimes classes or workshops. They can be a great place to get a little education on any number of art-related pursuits.
Buying supplies online
Buying supplies online is easy, and the companies that produce the major brands are very informative about the various grades (student- versus professional-grade) of their pastels. You may be a bit concerned about buying supplies that you haven't been able to see or test firsthand, especially if you're a first-time buyer, but don't worry; the great thing about pastels is that they're pretty straightforward in terms of their qualities and use, so you can buy online without fear that you have bitten off more than you can chew (not that you should be chewing on your pastels). To make an informed decision in the absence of a helpful salesperson, you can often find technical information about degrees of softness or hardness, types of colors in each set, composition, and techniques for use right on the manufacturers' Web sites.
Buying from online art supply stores is also a great way to have access to a wide range of supplies and papers. Many times, more brands are available online than locally. The only downsides are paying for shipping and waiting for your materials to arrive. However, online stores are often able to discount their prices because they don't have the overhead that a retail outlet does, so the end cost including shipping may still be very similar to the cost of purchasing locally.
Considering other places you can buy supplies
If you don't have access to an art supply store or any online shops, the following are other brick-and-mortar options where you can also find pastel drawing supplies:
General merchandise stores: You may find art supplies in a store that has stationery, household items, clothing, and such. Unless the retailer has a special interest in art, the selection is probably limited.
Craft shops: Along with department stores, they have great prices but may not have much of a selection of pastels or papers.
Fabric stores: These stores often have art and craft supplies as well as fabrics. The selection is similar to craft shops.
Big-box discount stores: Discount stores have less invested in the individual purchaser, so you have to do more on your own. Every once in a while, you find a store associate who is able to help you with information, but these places specialize in volume retail, not service.
Educational supply stores: These stores are similar to fabric and craft shops in their selection of supplies. You find a good selection of student grade art materials and maybe some better quality items as well.
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