Welcome to The Ultimate Art Supply Guide! This page is your go-to guide for figuring out what art supplies you need.
Whether you’re a student, seasoned professional, or a complete beginner who has never even picked up a painting brush, this guide will provide you with all the art essentials, plus a few fun extras that can improve your life or help you make sense of the online art supply maze (Pro-tip: be the person who has a list).
I’ve put a ton of work into The Ultimate Art Supply Guide; I hope you’ll find it helpful.
To make it easy to navigate, everything is broken down into categories.
Most links here go to Amazon. Full disclosure: This blog participates in the Amazon Associates program, and I’ll earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through the links on this page (at no extra cost to you). I’ve worked hard to recommend items that are both high-quality and affordable.
During my more than twenty years as a professional working artist, I have personally used every one of the products and brands that I recommend in this guide. So, I can wholeheartedly attest to the value and quality of each recommendation.
Do note that you also can also buy many of these things locally.
Old Holland prides itself on intensity of the colors and great covering power. Highest quality and highest price. They contain no fillers or waxes and use only lightfast pigments. This is the greatest oil paint for the true connoisseur.
Schmincke Mussini Oils contain natural resins for a balanced drying process with reduced aging and long-term cracking. Good for painting in layers and for glazing techniques
One of the oldest paint manufacturers in Europe, Sennelier was once the choice for Pablo Picasso. Combines highest quality pigments with highest quality manufacturing processes.
I have used Gamblin for many years and it remains one of my favorites. I was first introduced to this brand when I was a student at the Art Students’ League of New York. Many students and art teachers there were using this oil paint. It combines the best of quality with the best of economy. Whether you are a student or professional, you will be very happy with this oil paint choice.
Winsor & Newton is a top choice for students as well as professional painters around the world. I have used this brand many times throughout my professional career and have always been completely satisfied with the result. If you are a student or beginning painter and have the extra budget, I strongly recommend that you try this oil paint. You will not be disappointed.
Grumbacher was the first oil paint that I painted with when I was a teenager. At that time, the quality of the paint was much superior than it is today. Over the years, Grumbacher has been acquired by several larger companies that are more concerned with the bottom line than producing a quality product. I would still recommend this brand for beginning painting students.
I was first introduced to Georgian oil paints by Daler Rowney when I was a student at the Art Students’ League of New York. There were some of the students there who were using this brand of oil paint. A fellow student allowed me to sample and use some of their Georgian colors. This brand is a good choice if you are considering price over quality. You can usually find this brand at most art supply stores, department stores even drugstores. It usually is priced very low in most retail stores.
Winton Oil paints are my favorite pick for beginning painters. They combine the perfect combination of quality and price. If you are a beginning painter, you will appreciate the lower cost without sacrificing too much on the quality side. You will certainly get the results you want without breaking the bank. I have used Winton oil colors extensively throughout my art career and wholeheartedly recommend them.
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 150 Pack
Thick, robust leads resist cracking and chipping making them perfect for adult coloring books. Color: Assorted. Soft, thick cores are perfect for shading and shadows
Lightfast, richly saturated pigments. Ultra smooth, even color laydown.
Thick, robust leads resist cracking and chipping making them perfect for adult coloring books
150 premium colored pencils
Artist Compressed Charcoal Sticks for Sketching, Drawing, Shading
Best Gift Set: Great compressed pencils set, ideal for school art class for art project drawing, sketching. Soft, Medium, Hard, 6-Piece Boxed. Woodless Pencils: Quality compressed charcoal sticks, adhere well to drawing surfaces and dark colored, Easy Shading: Smooth blending, convenient to large area shading and drawing. Non-toxic
AFMAT Electric Pencil Sharpener, Rechargeable Heavy Duty Pencil Sharpener for Artists, Charcoal Pencil Sharpener for 6-8mm Sketching & Drawing Pencils,25mm Super Long Tip
Large, White, Pack of 10 ZEH-10 Erasers (ZEH10PC10). High quality latex-free eraser removes lead easily and cleanly with very little pressure. Block style is perfect for getting into little corners or erasing large areas quickly
Sketch Book: 8.5″ X 11″, Personalized Artist Sketchbook. 109 pages, Sketching, Drawing and Creative Doodling. Notebook and Sketchbook to Draw and Journal (Workbook and Handbook)
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE – 2 Pack of 75 Page Sketchpads. 50% More than the Competition! High QUALITY 60lb (90GSMS) Paper – 100% Acid-Free and Neutral PH. Perfectly Textured for a Smooth Non-Reflective Finish
For drawing and sketching. Large size for bold lines and surface coverage. Use for preliminary sketches to paintings, rapid sketches, figure drawing. Each stick measures approximately 7-9mm Dia. × 5.9″ L, pack of 25.
Drawing Pencils and Sketch Kit, 40-Piece Complete Artist Kit Includes Graphite Pencils, Pastel Stick and Eraser, Professional Sketch Pencils Set for Drawing
Fine Point Markers Fine Tip Drawing Pens Porous Fineliner Pen for Bullet Journaling Writing Note Taking Calendar Agenda Coloring Art Office Supplies (18 Colors)
X-ACTO School Pro Classroom Electric Pencil Sharpener, Blue
Heavy duty electric pencil sharpener designed specifically for classrooms. Durable construction stands up to wear and tear. Quiet electric motor provides reliable power
Tracer USB Power Cable Dimmable Brightness LED Artcraft Tracing Light Box Light Pad for Artists. Drawing Sketching Animation Stencilling X-rayViewing. PORTABLE & ULTRA SLIM- The thickness is only 5mm which makes it portable. The illumination is perfectly even, super bright, and flicker-free
US Art Supply 163 Piece-Premium Mega Wood Box Art, Painting & Drawing Set
Exclusive deluxe drawing kit for the beginner or as an intro set. Contains All The Additional Supplies You Need to get Started and The Bonus Wooden Drawing Easel with Drawer.
Soho Urban Artist Sketch Box and Table Artist Easel
Portable All Media Adjustable Angle Desk Top 5 Storage Compartments Case – Oiled Beech Wood. Artist sketch box has an easel section built into the lid that may be adjusted flat for watercolor painting, at a slight angle for drawing, at a vertical position for oil and acrylic painting and slightly forward for pastel painting. Use any size canvas or paper pad up to 25½” high.
MEEDEN Large Painters Easel Adjustable Solid Beech Wood Artist Easel, Studio Easel
Large floor easel which could be adjusted from 63″ to 89″ in height, holds canvas up to 48″. With Brush Holder. Solid beech wood made with refined hand craft, quality steel fittings ensure its stability and durablity
TANGKULA H-Frame Easel Wooden Height and Angle Adjustable Foldable Tilting Floor Studio Artist Easel
The easel can hold a maximum 45.5 inches high canvas frame to paint, which can satisfy various needs of your painting paper. And it has a front storage compartment for brushes and paints. This easel is suitable for all levels of artists.
US Art Supply Master Multi-Function Studio Artist Wood Floor Easel
19″Wide x 21″Deep x 56-1/2″High, (Adjusts to 97″High). Sturdy H-frame easel with an adjustable angle and a bracket to adjust height. Beautifully hand crafted from seasoned beechwood, and finished with natural oil. Adjustable to hold watercolor projects laying completely flat.
Artist Quality French Easel, Hardwood, Hand Varnished
I’ve had this easel for years. Highly recommend for “plein air” outdoor painting. BEST HARDWOOD FRENCH EASEL: This is a fully adjustable field, table, and studio easel with storage unit all in one! Constructed of hand-sanded European beechwood and brass hardware.
EASY SET UP: Easel quickly sets up for instant use, whether you’re in the office or on the road. Collapses for quick clean up, allowing you to move to your next project or presentation. Base 63″ Max. Height, Supports 5 lbs. (29E)
Art Alternatives Marquis Artists Adjustable Desk Box Easel, Natural
A portable miniature desk that converts to a painting easel. An easel that adjusts to four different positions. Has a drawer with three compartments to hold brushes and other essential gear
Old Holland prides itself on intensity of the colors and great covering power. Highest quality and highest price. They contain no fillers or waxes and use only lightfast pigments. This is the greatest oil paint for the true connoisseur.... Read More
Schmincke Mussini Oils contain natural resins for a balanced drying process with reduced aging and long-term cracking. Good for painting in layers and for glazing techniques
One of the oldest paint manufacturers in Europe, Sennelier was once the choice for Pablo Picasso. Combines highest quality pigments with highest quality manufacturing processes.
I have used Gamblin for many years and it remains one of my favorites. I was first introduced to this brand when I was a student at the Art Students’ League of New York. Many students and art teachers there were using this oil paint. I... Read More
Winsor & Newton is a top choice for students as well as professional painters around the world. I have used this brand many times throughout my professional career and have always been completely satisfied with the result. If you are... Read More
Grumbacher was the first oil paint that I painted with when I was a teenager. At that time, the quality of the paint was much superior than it is today. Over the years, Grumbacher has been acquired by several larger companies that are mo... Read More
I was first introduced to Georgian oil paints by Daler Rowney when I was a student at the Art Students’ League of New York. There were some of the students there who were using this brand of oil paint. A fellow student allowed me to sa... Read More
Winton Oil paints are my favorite pick for beginning painters. They combine the perfect combination of quality and price. If you are a beginning painter, you will appreciate the lower cost without sacrificing too much on the quality side... Read More
Thick, robust leads resist cracking and chipping making them perfect for adult coloring books. Color: Assorted. Soft, thick cores are perfect for shading and shadows
Lightfast, richly saturated pigments. Ultra smooth, even color la... Read More
Best Gift Set: Great compressed pencils set, ideal for school art class for art project drawing, sketching. Soft, Medium, Hard, 6-Piece Boxed. Woodless Pencils: Quality compressed charcoal sticks, adhere well to drawing surfaces and dark... Read More
AFMAT Electric Pencil Sharpener, Rechargeable Heavy Duty Pencil Sharpener for Artists, Charcoal Pencil Sharpener for 6-8mm Sketching & Drawing Pencils,25mm Super Long Tip
Large, White, Pack of 10 ZEH-10 Erasers (ZEH10PC10). High quality latex-free eraser removes lead easily and cleanly with very little pressure. Block style is perfect for getting into little corners or erasing large areas quickly
Sketch Book: 8.5″ X 11″, Personalized Artist Sketchbook. 109 pages, Sketching, Drawing and Creative Doodling. Notebook and Sketchbook to Draw and Journal (Workbook and Handbook)
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE – 2 Pack of 75 Page Sketchpads. 50% More than the Competition! High QUALITY 60lb (90GSMS) Paper – 100% Acid-Free and Neutral PH. Perfectly Textured for a Smooth Non-Reflective Finish
For drawing and sketching. Large size for bold lines and surface coverage. Use for preliminary sketches to paintings, rapid sketches, figure drawing. Each stick measures approximately 7-9mm Dia. × 5.9″ L, pack of 25.
Drawing Pencils and Sketch Kit, 40-Piece Complete Artist Kit Includes Graphite Pencils, Pastel Stick and Eraser, Professional Sketch Pencils Set for Drawing
Fine Point Markers Fine Tip Drawing Pens Porous Fineliner Pen for Bullet Journaling Writing Note Taking Calendar Agenda Coloring Art Office Supplies (18 Colors)
Heavy duty electric pencil sharpener designed specifically for classrooms. Durable construction stands up to wear and tear. Quiet electric motor provides reliable power
Tracer USB Power Cable Dimmable Brightness LED Artcraft Tracing Light Box Light Pad for Artists. Drawing Sketching Animation Stencilling X-rayViewing. PORTABLE & ULTRA SLIM- The thickness is only 5mm which makes it portable. The il... Read More
Exclusive deluxe drawing kit for the beginner or as an intro set. Contains All The Additional Supplies You Need to get Started and The Bonus Wooden Drawing Easel with Drawer.
Portable All Media Adjustable Angle Desk Top 5 Storage Compartments Case – Oiled Beech Wood. Artist sketch box has an easel section built into the lid that may be adjusted flat for watercolor painting, at a slight angle for drawing... Read More
Large floor easel which could be adjusted from 63″ to 89″ in height, holds canvas up to 48″. With Brush Holder. Solid beech wood made with refined hand craft, quality steel fittings ensure its stability and durablity... Read More
The easel can hold a maximum 45.5 inches high canvas frame to paint, which can satisfy various needs of your painting paper. And it has a front storage compartment for brushes and paints. This easel is suitable for all levels of artists.... Read More
19″Wide x 21″Deep x 56-1/2″High, (Adjusts to 97″High). Sturdy H-frame easel with an adjustable angle and a bracket to adjust height. Beautifully hand crafted from seasoned beechwood, and finished with natural oil.... Read More
I’ve had this easel for years. Highly recommend for “plein air” outdoor painting. BEST HARDWOOD FRENCH EASEL: This is a fully adjustable field, table, and studio easel with storage unit all in one! Constructed of hand-s... Read More
EASY SET UP: Easel quickly sets up for instant use, whether you’re in the office or on the road. Collapses for quick clean up, allowing you to move to your next project or presentation. Base 63″ Max. Height, Supports 5 lbs. (29E)... Read More
A portable miniature desk that converts to a painting easel. An easel that adjusts to four different positions. Has a drawer with three compartments to hold brushes and other essential gear
Are you ready to do a deep dive into understanding the differences in the many artist oil paint brands? Have you been confused by all the manufacturers and their claims? Would you like to know how quality in oil paints is determined? Have you ever wondered what is opacity, transparency and permanence and how those things affect your painting?
Then check out my most popular blog posts on the subject. Just click the links below:
