As an artist, I understand the need to save money. I also understand the need to create art but not feel good enough to spend money on good supplies.
We go to an art supply store with a budget and we see Level 1 brushes, Level 2 brushes, and Level 3 brushes. The Level 1 brushes fit our budget and we are just learning after all. So we grab a few.
We then go to the paint. We pick up the cheapest pan set of watercolor because it is almost $30 less. That's a big deal right. Next, we go to the paper and we grab the cheapest watercolor paper on the shelf. We are on a budget and we are just learning.
We go home and get started. We struggle to get enough paint on our brush. Then the paint isn't spreading very well and as it dries it loses its vibrancy. As we add water, the paper starts to break apart. We tell ourselves it is because we aren't good at watercolor and we pack every thing up and put it away.
What do you think would have happened if we had just bought better products in the beginning?
My son hates painting. He struggled through every art class because he "can't paint". In his Art 2 class in high school, he brought home a painting and asked me for paint and brushes. I gave him a couple level 3 brushes and some better quality paint (not the best but better than the schools). He still hates painting but he didn't hate the process because "The paint was easier to use. It spread and blended better. The bristles of the brushes stayed together and they didn't fall out."
So, can we really afford to cut corners with our art supplies?
My answer is no. I do however believe there are quality products that are reasonably priced, especially when starting out. But I guarantee, if you invest in higher quality supplies, you will enjoy the process a whole lot more and your work will be better.
My advice for choosing supplies. Research them. Pick a brand and look for reviews. Usually higher price means better quality but not always. Check reviews and ask other artists.
Here are my choices of quality affordable supplies.
- Colored Pencils - Prismacolor
- Ink - Speedball (Best quality to cost ratio), Winsor & Newton, Dr. Ph. Martins
- Mixed Media Paper - Strathmore 400 series
- Sumi Brush - Winsor & Newton
- Watercolor Pan Set and Tubes - Winsor & Newton Set or Tubes
- Watercolor Brushes - Princeton Neptune Series
- Watercolor Paper - Strathmore 400 series
- Pastels - Rembrandt Oil pastels
- Drawing Paper - Strathmore 400 Series
These are Amazon affiliate links. I will receive money from purchases made from these links.