Creating Masterpieces: How to Shop for Art Materials Online

 Online shopping has become the norm rather than the exception in recent years. It’s convenient, it saves us time and money, and we get things delivered to our doorstep. As an artist, I bet all of that matters to you and your creative journey. However, shopping for art supplies online can be tricky considering the many details it requires such as paint consistency and hue, brush fibre softness or paper thickness and texture. While getting it right can be challenging, it’s certainly not impossible. You only need to stick to the following guidelines.

Find a Reputable Supplier

source: tripadvisor.com

Deciding where you’ll buy your supplies is the first and most important step of your shopping experience. Why, you may ask. Unpopular opinion alert: regardless of the kind of art you’re creating–whether drawing, painting, sculpting or your skill level, you should aim only for quality artist-grade supplies. 

Only quality pencils, paints, brushes, paper, and clay can make a real difference in your artwork. Quality matters because quality is easier to use. Artist-grade supplies are developed with the needs of artists in mind so they can achieve master final results. They meet rigid standards and have some magical qualities such as pigment loads, blendability, and durability. And while you can buy their inexpensive student-grade counterparts just about anywhere, you’ll find quality, artist-grade supplies only in a specialised and well-stocked art material shop.

Buying from a specialised art supply store is especially important if you’re a beginner. It’s easier to spot supplies of lesser quality when you’re a professional artist creating for many years; yet, when you’re just starting, that can be more challenging. A reputable business and its staff know the importance of art supplies, so they will likely be honest with you regarding their products and recommend the most compatible ones for your creative journey.

Another benefit of buying supplies from a specialised art material shop is the wide product range. Such stores offer a comprehensive selection of tools, materials, and supplies tailored to artists’ needs at different stages of their artistic journey.

Ask Yourself What You Need and Do Your Research

Whether buying your first car or a pair of shoes, you should always research before purchasing online. The same is true when buying art supplies. Spend time to explore the materials you'll need and what will work best for your project before making any purchases. For example, you might prefer acrylic paint or an art canvas. That’ll result in long-term time and financial savings, and you'll be less likely to end up with goods you won't use or need.

Compare Prices

Comparing pricing is generally a smart idea before making any purchases. That’s particularly true when purchasing art supplies online, as pricing can differ significantly between retailers. Before making a purchase, spend some time comparing the costs of the necessary supplies. That’ll help you get the greatest offer and save money.

Check Social Media and Reviews

Look at a store's social media accounts to get a sense of how they engage with their customers. It serves as a reliable gauge of how successfully they interact with their audience and what to anticipate as a client. Examine their activity level and whether they frequently post about sales, promotions, and new products. This will offer you an idea of their general attitude and level of customer service.

Before purchasing from an art supply store, read store and product reviews. Read what consumers have to say about the product's quality and overall experience. That’s a fantastic approach to learning about the experiences of other consumers. Additionally, you have the chance to learn more about the business’s product quality. You can also steer clear of any possible issues by reading reviews.

Examine Policies and Shipping Costs

Be careful to review the shipping policies and prices before making a purchase. If you're purchasing many goods, the exorbitant shipping costs charged by some stores might soon mount up. Furthermore, if you're not content with your purchase, some stores may have strict return policies, which is not ideal. Ensure you understand the shipping and return policies before buying to prevent surprises.

Seek Security and Payment Method Honesty 

Among the most crucial things to consider are a business’s products' transparency and safe payment options. A reliable source will give comprehensive, easy-to-understand information about each product they sell. This contains pricing, specifications, descriptions, and any other pertinent information that will assist you in making the best decision. Regarding payment methods, see if they accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and After Pay—some of the safest and most dependable options.

Support Brands With Artist Community and Inspiration

These days, we do more than just purchase and sell when we interact with brands online. When brands build stronger relationships with their customers, they provide more and more value. In keeping with this concept, you should seek out an art business that actively engages with the creative community and provides its clients extra benefits with their purchases, such as blog entries, motivational material, and product usage guides.