Affordable Art Supplies for Beginners
Starting art feels challenging when supplies cost so much.
From my years of testing many brands and finding excellent deals up to 77% off retail prices, I can help you save your hard-earned money on quality art supplies.
This guide shows you the best budget-friendly tools for drawing, painting and sketching without spending too much.
You can start your creative journey with proper supplies that won’t empty your wallet.
Key Takeaways
- Basic art supplies can start with just six pencil grades (4H to 4B) and a £0.99 Faber-Castell Kneaded Eraser.
- Strathmore sketchbooks cost $3.59 to $11.48, while First Impressions brushes range from $0.75 to $18.39, making them perfect for beginners.
- Students can get up to 89% off during winter sales and 77% off during back-to-school deals on art supplies.
- Paint options include Golden Artist Acrylics (40% student discount) and American Journey Oils (55% off), with Matisse Flow Acrylics starting at $7.25.
- Free or low-cost options include recycled materials like old frames, used canvases, glass jars, and newspaper for creative projects.
Table of Contents
Essential Art Supplies for Beginners
I want to share my top picks for basic art tools that won’t empty your wallet.
These must-have items will help you start making art right away, and I’ve tested them all in my studio.
1. Graphite pencils and erasers
I love using different grades of pencils in my art studio. The basic set needs six pencils: 4H, 2H, HB, B, 2B, and 4B. These pencils create light to dark marks for perfect drawings.
A Faber-Castell Kneaded Eraser at $0.99 stands as a must-have supply for every artist.
The kneaded eraser moulds into any shape to lift graphite marks with ease. Metal hand-held sharpeners keep pencils ready for use.
These basic supplies form the core of any artist’s toolkit without breaking the bank. Students can start their art journey with these affordable tools.
2. Sketchbooks
A good sketchbook forms the base of my art practice. Paper weight matters a lot for different art styles.
My top pick is a 9″ x 12″ sketchbook with 100-130 GSM paper for pencil work. Artists need thicker paper at 200 GSM for wet media like watercolour or acrylic paints.
Budget-friendly options make art more fun for new artists. Strathmore 100 Series Kids Art Pads offer great value at $3.59 to $11.48.
These sketchbooks give enough space to draw and paint freely. The paper holds up well for basic sketching and painting practice.
3. Paint brushes
After picking your perfect sketchbook, you’ll need the right brushes to bring your art to life.
I recommend starting with affordable options like First Impressions Black Bristle Brushes, which cost between $0.75 to $18.39.
These brushes work great for both oil and acrylic painting. Creative Mark Natural Squirrel LE Brushes offer excellent value at just $0.99 to $1.49, perfect for watercolour work.
Quality brushes make painting easier and more fun. The Princeton Neptune Series 4750 Synthetic Squirrel Brushes give smooth strokes without breaking the bank.
For those ready to invest more, Raphael Softacryl Acrylic Brushes range from $4.46 to $44.03, offering top-notch control for detailed work.
4. Paints (watercolour, acrylic, and oil)
Now that you have your brushes ready, let’s talk about paint options. I love sharing great deals on paints with my students.
Golden Artist Acrylic paints offer a 40% discount for students starting their art journey.
American Journey Artists’ Oil Colours come with a massive 55% price cut, making them perfect for beginners.
For watercolours, American Journey Artists’ and Winsor & Newton Cotman tubes stand out as top budget picks.
These paints give rich colours at student-friendly prices. The paint sets mix well and spread smoothly on paper.
My students get amazing results with these affordable options.
Each type of paint brings its own magic to canvas – oils blend beautifully, acrylics dry fast, and watercolours flow with grace.
Affordable Alternatives for Basic Art Supplies
I found brilliant ways to save money on art supplies without losing quality. Keep reading to learn my top tips for getting great art materials at lower prices.
5. Student-grade paints
Student-grade paints offer great value for new artists. My top pick is the Reeves Field Easel Paint Sets at £34.99, which gives a perfect start for basic painting.
RAS Non-Toxic Tempera Paint works well for students who want to learn colour mixing without spending too much money.
These paints cost between $4.46 to $53.67.
Matisse Flow Acrylics stand out as a budget-friendly choice for art students. The range starts at $7.25 and goes up to $203.48.
These paints have good pigments that blend well on most painting surfaces.
The Matisse Structure Acrylic Colours also give nice results for practice work. Students can buy small tubes from $7.25 to test different colours before making bigger purchases.
6. Synthetic brushes
I recommend synthetic brushes as a budget-friendly choice for new artists. These brushes cost less than natural hair brushes but still give great results.
First Impressions Black Bristle Brushes start at just $0.75, making them perfect for beginners.
Creative Mark Natural Squirrel LE Brushes offer amazing value at $0.99 to $1.49 per brush. Synthetic brushes last longer and need less care than natural ones.
The Raphael Softacryl Acrylic Brushes range from $4.46 to $44.03, giving artists many options at different price points.
These tools work well with acrylic paints and stay in good shape with basic cleaning. Now let’s explore some smart tips for saving money on art supplies.
7. Budget-friendly sketchbooks
My top pick for budget art supplies starts with Strathmore 100 Series Kids Art Pads. These sketchbooks cost between $3.59 to $11.48, perfect for students and new artists.
The paper quality suits both dry and wet media needs. A 9″ x 12″ size works great for most artwork projects.
Good sketchbooks need the right paper weight. Paper marked as 100-130 GSM works best for pencils and markers.
Artists who use paint should pick 200 GSM paper. These specs help create better artwork without spending too much money.
Many craft shops stock these affordable options for artists at all skill levels.
Tips for Saving Money on Art Supplies
I know many great ways to save money on art supplies without losing quality.
You can start your art journey with smart shopping tricks that help you get more value from your budget.
Look for sales and clearance items
Sales offer the best chance to stock up on art supplies at low prices. My top pick right now is the winter clearance sale with massive discounts up to 89% off retail prices.
The back-to-school sale brings prices down by 77% on many items. These deals make art supplies much more budget-friendly for students and new artists.
Great bargains pop up on quality items like the POSCA Paint Marker Portrait Set. The regular price sits at $28.59, but the sale price drops to $25.69.
Paint sets such as Matisse Structure Acrylics start at just $26.28.
These prices help artists save money while getting good tools. The sales make art more open to everyone who wants to create.
Explore second-hand or recycled materials
I love finding art supplies at second-hand shops and thrift stores. Old frames, used canvases, and discarded paper make perfect materials for new art projects.
My best tip comes from Joe Miller’s teaching about taking risks in art – I turn failed paintings into fresh starts by painting over them or cutting them up for collages.
Recycled materials offer great ways to save money on art supplies. Empty glass jars store paint and brushes.
Old newspapers protect work surfaces and create textures in paintings. Fabric scraps add interesting elements to mixed media pieces.
These materials cost little or nothing, yet they help create unique artwork.
Final Thoughts on Affordable Art Supplies for Beginners
Starting art does not need to break your bank. Smart shopping and basic supplies can help you create amazing artwork.
Many artists began with simple tools like pencils and student-grade paints.
Your creativity matters more than fancy art supplies. Good art comes from practice and passion, not from buying the most costly tools.
FAQs About Affordable Art Supplies for Beginners
1. What basic art supplies do I need to get started?
For beginners, you’ll need watercolour paints, a palette, paintbrushes, paper towels, and canvas panels. This selection allows you to try different painting techniques.
2. Where can I find cheap art supplies?
You’ll find affordable art supplies at online stores like jerrysartarama.com. They often have closeouts and good deals on painting supplies for your hobby.
3. Which colours should I buy first?
Start with basic colours like ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, and Naples yellow. These foundation colours help you create many other shades for your artwork.
4. What’s the best medium for new artists?
Acrylic painting supplies are great for beginners. They’re less messy than oil paints, dry quickly, and work well on many surfaces like canvas and paper.
5. How much should I spend on my first art supplies?
You don’t need to make a huge investment. Start with inexpensive supplies to learn techniques. As your skills grow, you can buy better quality items.
6. What should I look for in beginner paint sets?
Look for sets that include everything you need to get started. Check if they have basic colours, brushes, and a palette. Make sure they’re good quality but still affordable.
References
- Secondhand art and craft supplies ∙ Make & mend. (n.d.). Make & Mend. https://makeandmendshop.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorOYqBOqix1gMaq3eYYT_0fClh2Rm5ukxCPJomswFHx9Cb7AwUM
- Amazon.com: Matisse Structure Heavy Body Acrylic Paint High Viscosity Acrylics – 75 ml Tube – Yellow Deep. (n.d.). https://www.amazon.com/Matisse-Structure-Acrylic-Viscosity-Acrylics/dp/B0049V1DRA/ref=sr_1_32?crid=O39YXG2K5MVU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0wXkhwtwM1hzhxPmbhxP9Y4nHLa8QHF6Od8xNVYYCCzeJI_c4a-biYwo_vAk0pIqLlWa0ncw4CS_ajzp0rTx2dmS-Wxgx16-JhiSRYGo2e9pVNEZNC3nPKuhG1B6jkokVAW3ZB9hCub-ii8sM10maLrLyaumAUa1TZBlXfs_CeGB4loRkZN5F7ivMIupyANkCoeC5jJ6gtY75Qa4DwnzXHflNrtoKaXXZlevyQuTarAiV5CHXknBIyeLjiJ2wxfWDOiBFgBYOzN8lvPltKB9jJN4wr0ECwkizB53eIzKksM.ifoLUGR52ZBgiXJdFAcpTTBEaIgkMi94yHYqcluJh_U&dib_tag=se&keywords=Matisse+Structure+Acrylic+Colours&qid=1745850590&sprefix=matisse+structure+acrylic+colours%2Caps%2C641&sr=8-32
- Tips for smart Shopping | Milpitas, CA. (n.d.). https://www.milpitas.gov/508/Tips-for-Smart-Shopping
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