Where do you get your painting supplies?

[famousmockngbrd]

I just recently started painting again. Currently I am painting on flower pots instead of canvas, but still, I'm using paint. I haven't picked up a brush in probably 10 years, though I used to study art (no degree).

So anyway, I am experiencing a bit of sticker shock in regards to the cost of paint, brushes, etc. I remember it was expensive, but I guess I forgot just *how* expensive. Plus now I don't have my parents to foot the bill, lol. The Liquitex acrylics were too expensive, so I ended up buying some "crafty" acrylics, and I'm not thrilled with them. They are thinner than the Liquitex and they don't handle as well, plus I don't seem to be able to get as much of a color range out of them when I blend them. This may be due to my rusty skills, but I have been back at painting for a few weeks and I notice it more now than I did when I first started. And, my brushes definitely suck - I got a cheap pack of assorted craft brushes and a month later I've got bristles sticking out all over the place.

There is an art supply store near the college, they're affiliated with the student bookstore. I seem to recall that when I was in art school the student store was not the greatest place to shop, except for certain items like canvas and stretcher bars. However, I bought my recent supplies at Michael's, which was clearly not the greatest choice. Can anyone recommend a place (online or IRL) for cheap goods? TIA.

[melissa17s]

Do you have a hobby lobby in your community? The are always having sales and once a week you can get a 50% coupon online. Their selection is limited, but it is good for getting started. Otherwise, we go to local places if we are in a hurry and price shop at a number of places when we have time to plan. Dick Blick, Cheap Joes, Daniel Smith, etc. all have websites.

[frontierpsych]

I get most of my stuff on Dickblick.com
They've got a pretty good selection.

[Ifluffedthree]

Dickblick is always a safe choice.

I wish I had more time to paint -- I am a wee bit jealous. I did just buy some modest watercolors. In fact I bought way too many. Hoping I have some time to work with them to justify my purchase.

[famousmockngbrd]

Thanks!

It is definitely tough to find time to paint, or draw, or read, or goof off on the internet... For instance,right now I'm making the questionable choice to neglect painting (not to mention laundry, dishes, etc.) in favor of goofing off.

The good thing about what I'm doing with the pots is that I can finish one in a night, or I can put a couple of base coats on in 30 minutes - I don't have to invest a ton of time and I still feel like I actually accomplished something. It's definitely more decorative than "artistic" and I feel like that's what I can handle right now, in terms of effort and time invested.

The downside is the nagging feeling that if I had just painted these designs on canvas or a wood panel instead of flower pots, I could charge about 10X more money. I like the pots, though - they're fun. And I don't feel pressure to "create art" when I paint on a pot. I'm just making pretty pictures.

[mean_jeannie]

http://www.aoeartworld.com/

I am lucky these folks are local for me.

[IvyPlum]

Dick Blick has great bulk prices, and I combine that with the 40% coupons from Hobby Lobby and Michael's. For acrylics, I also like the Royal Langnickel Golden Taklon from Michael's, which I think are amazingly cheap for the quality.

[jsrsolution]

Hi

I got my all paintings from paintyourlife.com this is really a nice a site from where you can get a lot of paintings as well as your own photos on canvas, dog portraits, pet portraits, etc too.

Thanks