Art supplies recommendations within a budget
Hello my artist!
The other day I asked on instagram if you were interested on some advice for some affordable art supplies I have bought over the years. You all said YES! So I decided to write this blog post to share them all with you.
Please note, the links I am sharing today are affiliates links, so if you click or purchase the item, I will get a little commission which will really help my little business, so thank you in advance if you do so :)
I will be sharing ONLY products I like and I have tried (except for one, I will tell you why) and that were within budget. Also, I will be telling why I love them and I kept repeatdly buying them.
Let’s start!
PAPERS AND CANVAS
Bockingford Artists Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper A4 Pack 20 Sheets 300g Curtisward Pack
This is my favourite find! I am so happy I discovered this paper! It works so well for painting with watercolour and even acrylic. It holds water so well, very thick. Here are some of my paintings with this paper. I keep buying this paper over and over again.
This paper can be used with watercolour, with coffee, wine, acrylic…
Here is the link:
Hahnemuhle Watercolour Postcards
I have recently tried this cute little postcard papers and I am very pleased and how they look. I would say they don’t hold as much water as the first paper I recommended, but I really like the size and the granulate on the paper. I will be painting lots of postcards this year! Here is an image of the postcard I painted:
And here you can fine the link: https://amzn.to/3MSKqlQ
H&S Set of 4 Artist Blank Canvas Frame Stretcher Acrylic Oil Water Painting Board 20x30cm, 30x40cm, 40x50cm, 50x60cm
This is maybe the less “affordable” product I will share with you today. Bare in mind, cheap canvas will give you cheap results, so paying a little bit more for a canvas it is normally worth it ( always that you can afford it!).
It is a set of Canvas I purchased couple of years ago. It is a great set for starting and if you aren’t sure which size you want to go for, as it gives you a variety of sizes for you to try and see which one are you more comfortable with. They are good quality and I think they are a good deal for it’s price.
Here you can see the different canvas sizes. Here is the link: https://amzn.to/3vJfsa1
WATERCOLOUR AND ACRYLICS
Daler-Rowney Aquafine Watercolour Half Pan Paint Travel Set, 12 Assorted Colours + 1 Aquafine Watercolour Brush, Ideal for Professional & Beginner Artists & Students
This is the only product I have not tried, but I bought this for one of my students as a present. She didn’t have any watercolour, it was lockdown, and I decided to buy it and get it sent to her via post. She loved it and keep using them all the time.
I thought it was a great size, very affordable - £11 for a palette is it very reasonable -and I have tried Daler-Rowney brand products before and they are good quality.
So now you know, the choice is yours!
Here is the link: https://amzn.to/3P7to5k
Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set - 12 Paints for Canvas, Wood, Ceramic, Fabric - Non Toxic, Vibrant Pigments for Beginners, Students and Professional Artists - Art Supplies
This is also a great set for beginners as it gives you lots of different paints without having to spend lots of cash - it is only £7!-.
In this picture you can actually see the acrylic set, the paper I have previously mentioned and the palette knife that I will be referencing later on.
I have painted with them and they have beautiful rich colours. They are 12ml, so they are small ones but work perfectly for a small-medium painting.
Here is the link: https://amzn.to/3kCkPRJ
ACCESSORIES
Artist Palette Knife P-4 Diamond Shape
Another product I have tried and love using it. It is great to play with acrylics and it is a very useful tool to have around. You can find them in art shops but I decided to get it delivered to me ( lockdwon times!). It is steady and firm, and it is as little as £5.
Here is the link to purchase the palette knife: https://amzn.to/3P0qFL0
Studio Easel 1.75m Foldable Wooden A Frame Painting Painter Drawing Stand Board 69 Inch Art Display Easel Artist Sketching Wedding Craft Pine Wood
I have recently purchased this easel. I have looking for one for ages. My concerns were to pay lots of money and not be steady, or too short. But I have to say I am so pleased with my purchase! It was only £25.
Also, note that I am quite short - 1’61 m - so it perfectly fits me ( you can see the measurements on the specifications of the product and it comes in 2 different sizes).
It was easy to assemble, very steady. I carried it the other day to use it in my workshop and it isn’t very heavy and can fit in a car, however if you are looking for a very mobil easel then this may not be your best choice. This is an easel to have at your studio/ home and enjoy painting in it.
Here is the link: https://amzn.to/3KBQzBa
Curtisward Profile Artists 5 Brush Set. Brushes for Watercolour, Gouache, Acrylic, Inks
I am really happy with this brushes. I have used them for my painting, mostly when I paint acrylic and also my students have used them during my workshops. They also work well with watercolour.
Here is the link: https://amzn.to/3ycNXqM
I have purchased this brushes but are out of stock at the moment. That is why I decided to share this one that also which are from the same brand and look very similar:
Curtisward Panache Artists 5 Brush Set. Brushes for Watercolour, Gouache, Acrylic, Inks
Here is the link: https://amzn.to/3sapZc1
I hope you liked my recommendations and hopefully enjoy them as much as I do! If you have any question regarding any product or if you have any recommendationS you want to send my way, I am more than happy to hear them!
With art & love,
Laura