Art Supplies in the USA - Resources for Artists
Ranked #2,400 in Arts & Design, #30,913 overall
How to find fine art materials and supplies in the USA
Searching for details about where to find fine art materials supplies in and around the USA? This sites shares recommendations and details of online suppliers plus the locations of retail stores that you can visit as a retail or trade customer.
Information and content is based on my two trips to the USA in 2006 and information provided by my cyberchums. Where I have used a store or supplier personally and have an opinion or recommendations then you'll find this listed too. I don't have any recommendations about other sites - other than those provided by others in the comments section of this lens and/or this thread on my blog Resources for artists - art materials and art suppliers. Please remember what works out best for me might not work out best for you.
VOTE for where you prefer to buy your fine art materials.
Do let me know what you think by providing a comment.
* Who do you recommend?
* Do you have a blog post which provides a review of a specific dealer. (As you'd expect this is neither an invitation for suppliers to advertise their stores or sites nor for consumers to air a specific gripe!)
FOUR MORE SITES:
* Are you interested in art supplies in the UK? If you live or travel in the UK - or want to import art materials from there - try consulting the companion site Art Supplies in the UK - Resources for Artists
* If you live or travel outside the UK or USA try Art Supplies Around The World - Resources for Artists
* For more information about art equipment consult Art Equipment - Resources for Artists
* and finally....My Favourite Art Shops
Note: The image is of San Clemente Art Supply in San Clemente, California - a very impressive art store (for details see below)
You can find out about...............
just click on the link to go straight to that section
- POLL: The buying habits of fine artists - in the USA
- Online and mail order suppliers of art materials
- Specialist Art Suppliers - supplying USA
- San Clemente Art Supply, California
- Art supplies from independent retail stores and local/small chains
- Large and/or nationwide chains of art stores
- Art Supplies from wholesalers
- Art Materials Trade Associations
- Art Supplies - More Resources for Artists
- Resources by Other Artists
- Media - Resources for Artists
- Comments and Suggestions
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New links are being added to this site on a regular basis.
POLL: The buying habits of fine artists - in the USA
Making a Mark reviews......
a consumer's guide to quality and value in art books, art supplies and services to artists
This blog highlights:
- book reviews (art instruction and art history)
- reviews of art media, art materials and art equipment
- reviews of places where you buy (art shops, online art suppliers and art bookshops)
- reviews of other products or services used by artists
- summaries of good quality and relevant reviews by other practising artists

Fetching RSS feed... please stand byOnline and mail order suppliers of art materials
USA based art suppliers
This is about retailers who provide details of their stock online. Not all offer e-shops - for some you can place an order via e-mail, telephone or by worldwide mail order.
Things to watch out for
* Online suppliers can choose to offer deep discounts on prices found in retail stores.
* Suppliers who have both retail and online supplies may have two different pricing structures and/or deals which are only available online.
Watch out for the despatch costs
* what might seem cheap on an item by item basis may start to look a lot more expensive by the time you've added in the shipping.
* work out what is the best size of order to take advantage of any deals on free shipping
Overseas customers should remember to check with their Customs whether they will have any import tax to pay.
If you have a view on any of the suppliers listed - or would like to suggest a new one - please use the comments function below.
- Art Supplies from Dick Blick Art Materials
- Online catalogue available plus details about shipping arrangements and costs
- Italian Art Store
- Italian Art Store - Online Catalog of Professonal Fine Art Supplies. Save 40% to 70% everyday.
- New York Central Art Supply: an assortment of the finest artists and decorative papers in the US
- New York Central Art Supply stocks fine art and decorative papers from all over the world in sheets and rolls, and at times in pads and blocks. Renown brands like Arches, Rives, Somerset, Wyndstone, Cockerell, Bertini, Fabriano, Arpa and others are just a few of the excellent qualities represented.
Catalogue available
Orders by snail mail, fax and e-mail. No online e-shop ordering available - Pearl Paint
- Pearl Paint for Art Supply, Art Supplies, Art Supply Store, Discount Art Supplies, and Art and Craft Supply
- Jerrys Artarama
- Discount Art Supplies up to 70% off. Supplies for painting, drawing, sculpture, presentation, printmaking as well as picture frames and mats.
Jerry opened his own first art materials and supplies store in 1967, and introduced the thousands of budding and established artists throughout Long Island to the wonder of discount pricing. - Dakota Art Pastels - Welcome!
- MAILING ADDRESS:
Dakota Art Pastels
P.O. Box 2258
Mt. Vernon, WA.98273-9998
PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
17873 SR 536
Mt. Vernon, WA.98273
Monday - Friday, 9-5, Pacific Time
TELEPHONE:1-888-345-0067
FAX:1-888-345-0063
e-Mail:info@dakotapastels.com - Primo Mart - Artist canvas: Fabric, photo backdrops, cotton duck canvas, primed canvas floor cloth
- Providing stretch canvas fabric, primed artist canvas, photo backdrops, prestretched canvas floor cloth, cheap muslin fabric, cotton duck canvas, artist canvas rolls and other artist supplies.
- Art Supplies from Daniel Smith Art Materials
- Thousands of art supplies, paints, brushes, canvas, paper and other art materials
- Paper.com - your online source for quality paper products
- your online source for quality papers for stationery, school, environmentally friendly, art , Office, scrapbooking, printers, crafts, and more
- Studio Products :: For the Serious Artist
- What began as a group of working artists sharing information and painting mediums became an artist's co-op and then has grown into a business dedicated to reintroducing traditional artist's materials that had become almost impossible to find. Studio Products are made as traditional artist's materials used to be made, by artisans for artists.
- Wet Paint Online Store
- This is a site that is constantly evolving & expanding.
Those familiar with Wet Paint know that it's a single-building, independent art supplies store that concentrates on a comprehensive range of art materials and great customer service.
As we expand our online store, always remember that you can take advantage of our offerings of more than 30,000 art supplies by contacting us at sales@wetpaintart.com. To get an idea of the current array of products you can find at Wet Paint, be sure to visit our newsletter archives as well. International customers (and customers from Alaska and Hawaii) should visit our"International Customers" page for important shipping information. - Art Supply Warehouse | Art Supplies Online | Artist Supplies | Art Sets
- wholesale art supplies including oil, watercolor and acrylic paints, cheap art supplies, brushes, canvas, and easels to art sets for adult and kids at affordable prices.
- MABEF Artist Easels
- a large selection of quality artists easels made in Italy
- Soltek Easel
- Designed by a working artist, the Soltek Easel is the best thing to hit plein air painting since the landscape.
- Kremer Pigments Inc.
- KREMER Pigments have been developed for art and restoration. Our research within the past 31 years has made our range of historical pigments to the largest assortment world-wide. Our pigments and binders are the reliable assortment for conservators and artists.
German supplier which operates globally and supplies USA / contract language is German
Specialist Art Suppliers - supplying USA
This is not an attempt to list every overseas supplier. Rather to highlight overseas suppliers of specialised art materials who will ship to the USA
- Kremer Pigments Inc.
- KREMER Pigments have been developed for art and restoration. Our research within the past 31 years has made our range of historical pigments to the largest assortment world-wide. Our pigments and binders are the reliable assortment for conservators and artists.
German supplier which operates globally and supplies USA / contract language is German
All prices are in US Dollar. Sales tax is not included.
President: Dr. Georg Kremer
247 West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212.219-2394 or 1-800 995 5501
Fax: 212.219-2395
Email: info@kremerpigments.com

San Clemente Art Supply, California
Favourite Art Shops
awarded a purple star for excellence
Do you have any recommendations as to favourite art shops in the USA?
Art supplies from independent retail stores and local/small chains
Some of the really good stores are independent stores or very small chains in a specific area of the country.
I have commented below on the ones recommended by me
- New Mexico: Artisan | Art Supply Store
- Artisan have three stores in New Mexico.
ALBUQUERQUE: 3017 Monte Vista NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (Tel: 505.256.4540)
I visited this store on my trip to New Mexico in July 2006. It has a very good range of art supplies and very helpful and knowledgeable staff.
SANTA FE: 2601 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (Tel: 505.954.4179)
TAOS: 1046 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571 (Tel: 575.751.0802) - San Clemente Art Supply & Framing (California)
- 1531 N. El Camino Real San Clemente Ca. 92672
Tel: (949)369-6603
Mon.-Fri.10am-6pm Weds.10am-7pm
Sat. 10am-6pm Sun.Closed
I visited this store in July 2006. It's an excellent store with very helpful staff. Read my review in Travels with a Sketchbook in.......: Service with a smile - San Clemente Art Supply - St Louis, MO: Art Mart - Art Supplies and framing
- St. Louis' Biggest Selection of Art Supplies, Framing, and Paper. 25,000 square feet and more than 40,000 different items in stock - including more than 5,000 types of paper. Its history and growth is fascinating and links to local art organisations are very useful for those living in the local community.
Read the testamonials here. Anna says:
"When in St. Louis, MO, a visit to the Art Mart is a must! [ http://www.artmartstl.com/ ]. A large store, packed with everything from useful to fun.
These days, I mostly order online due to the prices being so much cheaper, but if I lived close to a large store like the Art Mart, I would probably shop there since I really prefer to see new materials , especially paper, before trying them out." - Rochester Art Supply
- Rochester Art Supply
150 West Main Street, Rochester, New York 14614 USA
Soft pastels, oil paints, watercolor paints, canvas, stretcher strips, oil colors
Plus supplier of Henri Roche soft pastels - New York Central Art Supply
- 62 Third Avenue @11th Street, New York New York NY 10003
serving artists for over 100 years - Orange Couty art supplies - Sterling Art, Irvine, California
- Sterling Art is a 24,000 square foot artist's materials and gift-shopper's paradise located near the airport in Irvine, California - and has been happily serving Orange County and the World since 1960.
Sterling Art carries the most extraordinary collection of exquisite pens, extraordinary papers, thousands of brushes, dozens of brands of paint, every possible type of easel and canvas, paper pads in every size, every weight, every texture, frames and framing, hundreds upon hundreds of markers and pencils and crayons. - Italian Art Store
- Italian Art Store - Online Catalog of Professonal Fine Art Supplies. Save 40% to 70% everyday.
- Arizona Art Supply
- Arizona Art Supply has served art professionals, arIn Arizona: (602) 264-9514
Shops at 4 locations in Arizona and online supplies
Toll Free: (877) 264-9514
sales@arizonaartsupply.com
For questions about online products and quantity discounts, email sales department:
service@arizonaartsupply.com
Arizona Art Supply has served art professionals, art educators, and art enthusiasts since 1950 with brand name art supplies at discount prices. - Wet Paint! (Minnesota - retail store and online)
- Established 1976 Paint Artists' Materials & Framing
Since 1976, Wet Paint has been a single-store, independently owned art supply store in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving the Twin Cities community and the world beyond. Located on St. Paul's vibrant Grand Avenue, Wet Paint is a favorite of professionals, students, beginners, and young people. The staff at Wet Paint is extremely knowledgeable and can assist in the selection of materials for any creative project. (Recommended by Roslyn M. Stendahl)
They stock over 30,000 different products spanning the entire range of art supplies, including paints, brushes, pads, drawing materials, canvas, and mounting supplies. They also offer many unique, hard-to-find art materials, including products that aren't typically found in your traditional art supply store. Wet Paint also provides bookmaking supplies, a wide selection of journals and photo/scrapbooks, a vast array of writing instruments and pen refills, and a nice assortment of stationery
Paper stocks include over 3,000 different kinds of paper from a variety of mills and papermakers, and decorative sheets as well as standard artist's paper. - Dakota Art Stores
- BELLINGHAM: 360) 676-8918
1411 Cornwall Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
MON-SAT: 9am to 6pm; SUN: 12pm to 5pm
Closed Sunday during the summer
MOUNT VERNON: (360) 416-6556
17873 SR 536
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
MON-FRI: 9am to 5pm SAT: 9am to 1pm
SEATTLE: (206) 523-4830
6110 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
MON-SAT: 9am to 6pm SUN: 12pm to 5pm - raw materials - downtown Los Angeles
- Raw Materials is an arts and architectural supplies store in downtown Los Angeles.
436 South Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90013
phone (213) 627-7223
fax (213) 596-3895
info@rawmaterialsLA.com - M. Graham & Co. Makers of Professional Artists' Color and Mediums
- handcrafted artists colour
Individually made, we create our colors a few hundred tubes at a time. Days, not hours are spent slowly coaxing its own distinctive nature from each pigment until the richness inherent in each is fully developed.
Check website for availability at different independent stores - Kremer Pigments Inc. NYC
- 247 West 29th Street New York, NY 10001
between 7th and 8th Ave.
Phone (212) 219-2394
Fax (212) 219-2395
Open Monday - Saturday from 11:00am - 6:30pm ET
We offer Historic Pigments, traditional Binders, Brushes, Mullers and many other Painting Materials. - Sam Flax - Art & Design Supplies - New York
- Sam Flax Stores New York is a creative department store known for art supplies, presentation supplies, modern furnishings and more.
Flagship Store - Midtown
900 Third Avenue
(between 54th & 55th Streets)
Chelsea - Flatiron Store
3 West 20th Street
(between 5th & 6th Avenues)
Making A Mark - all blog posts about art suppliers
- Making a Mark: art supplies
- Katherine Tyrrell writing on her blog and providing information about resources for artists and sources of art supplies. All these blog posts contain a comment on an art material and/or art suppliers
- Making a Mark: Resources for artists - art materials and art suppliers
- The thread which relates to the creation of this lens - contains recommendations from readers
- Making a Mark: The art of economising - on art materials
- What does spending less mean for artists?
This post contains a checklist of my ideas - do feel free to comment at the end about how you can improve on what I've suggested and/or what your ideas are for making your resources go further....it's already attracted a lot of comments - Making a Mark reviews......: The buying habits of fine artists - in the USA
- How does your buying behaviour compare to fine artists in USA? Did you know that
* 99% of fine artists are willing to buy art supplies online
* 70% actually do buy online on a regular basis.
Large and/or nationwide chains of art stores
USA based chains
- Dick Blick Art Materials, Retail Stores
- Dick Blick has over 30 art supply stores around the United States. Visit our website for detailed information on store hours and locations.
- Blick Art Materials / San Diego, CA
- I visited this store in San Diego in July 2006 - see my review in the Travels with a sketchbook module.
- Find a Utrecht Art Supplies retail store near you
- 35 retail art supply stores across the United States; provides a broad selection of the finest quality artist paints, canvas, artist brushes, paper, drawing materials & more.
- PearlPaint.com - Store Finder
- Store Finder, Store Hours, Location
(Store pricing varies from internet pricing) - Jerrys Retail Stores
- There are 15 well stocked Jerry's picture framing and art supply stores across the US, offering incredible discount prices to local markets. Retail stores are for walk-in trade only and do not accept mail orders. Prices are generally 10% higher in the retail stores than they are via mail order catalog or on the website, but a yearly discount card may be purchased at most locations to achieve catalog prices.
Art Supplies from wholesalers
One way of finding a good art store is to find a good supplier at the next level up and then check out their dealer network
- Alvin & Company - More Than You Think
- Alvin & Company is a well-known importer, manufacturer and distributor of graphic arts, drafting, art and office products. With over 54 years of experience, Alvin is one of the primary sources for drafting supplies and drawing equipment in the country.
Art Materials Trade Associations
The Artists & Art Materials USA 2009 report highlights that $4 billion is spent on art-related materials and services
- $2.1 billion to $2.6 billion on art supplies
- Market growth about 4%+ per year
Spending on art-related materials and services (median):
- $1,330 per professional artist
- $880 per recreational artist
- $1,241 per student artist
- Home - International Art Materials Trade Association
- International Art Materials Trade Association
- ARTISTS - International Art Materials Trade Association
- NAMTA, The International Art Materials Trade Association, provides the resources below for artists to become more familiar with the materials used to make art. The members of NAMTA are the manufacturers and retailers of art supplies.
- International Art Materials Trade Association - Find an Art Supply Retailer
- Our Find-An-Art-Supply-Retailer search helps you find art materials retailers all over the world. Members of the International Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA) are marked as "NAMTA Member" under the store name. As members of NAMTA, retailers are provided with the training and resources to attain a higher level of product knowledge and customer service.
- RETAILERS - International Art Materials Trade Association
- NAMTA - The International Art Materials Trade Association, was founded by a group of art supply retailers in 1950 and continues today with the following goal for retailers: "That art materials retailers succeed through growing in knowledge, sales and profitability."
- Artists and Art Materials USA 2009 - International Art Materials Trade Association
- The International Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA) and American Artist magazine are pleased to sponsor this first-ever comprehensive look at U.S. artists and art materials businesses in the 21st century. The goal is to provide art materials businesses and the entire art community with the information they need to grow and prosper. The report consists of the following sections:
- Executive Summary (FREE)
- Active Artists
- Art Materials Retailers
- Art Materials Suppliers
- Appendix B: Artist Materials Wish List - Frequently Asked Questions - International Art Materials Trade Association
- International Art Materials Trade Association
Travels with a Sketchbook in.......the USA
Blog posts referencing art shops in the USA
- Travels with a Sketchbook in.......: Service with a smile - San Clemente Art Supply
- The place where my Pastel Workshop was held really deserves a special mention in this blog as it was outstanding. The workshop was held in a large room to the rear and side of the San Clemente Art Supply and Framing building at 1531 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente Ca 92672.
Patti Herdell, who set up and runs the store, is one of the most helpful and hospitable people I've ever come across in an art supply store - and this is reflected in the range of services and supplies they offer and how one is treated as a customer. As the website says "We provide service with a smile" - and they do too! - Travels with a Sketchbook in.......: Dick Blick in San Diego
- I visited my very first Dick Blick store in San Diego on Friday 14th July (to get supplies for the pastel workshop) and then again on Monday 17th July!
I have to say that I have a very positive impression of art stores in the USA. In my opinion, they are hugely better than some of the well known and very large ones I use in London - at least from my perspective for the type of things I buy. I oohed and aahed my way round both stores.
The Dick Blick store (like the store in San Clemente) has a great range of paper of all different types plus illustration and museum boards. The two stores I visited also had well stocked shelves - ie if they stock it they make sure they keep on top of reordering. - Travels with a Sketchbook in.......: Saturday 16th September: A visit to an art store and Walden Pond
- The Charette art store is great and has a very comprehensive range of fine art and graphic art products. This was the first time I'd been in art store in America on my own and I took full advantage of the opportunity for a very leisurely mooch round. I now know what lots of things are that people refer to and which we can't get at home in the UK like Gator board (and I want some!) I am still knocked for six every time I go into an American art supply store as they are just so much better than the ones at home.
Art Supplies - More Resources for Artists
More of my sites and more of my recommendations
Resources by Other Artists
Media - Resources for Artists
More information about media
Travels with a Sketchbook in....
When I travel, I sketch. When I sketch on my travels I record it here.
Plus information about the history and facilities of places I visit and lots of related links for those who want to know more
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Phillyfreeze69
Oct 9, 2011 @ 10:12 am | delete
- When I was a student at Parsons New School for Design in the mid 1970's my favorite art supply store was Sam Flax which had several stores located in Mahattan. New York has always attracted artist from around the USA and internationally for the city many fine art schools and institutions.
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makingamark
Oct 9, 2011 @ 12:24 pm | delete
- I've added your suggestion into the list of independent small stores.
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hdfinkelstein
Jun 21, 2011 @ 10:30 am | delete
- I'm an American painter working in France. I just want to get the word out that if anyone is thinking of having art supplies shipped from David Davis in Brooklyn. NY, think again. I had them ship me some 12 yard rolls of their lead primed linen, (a nice product that you can't get in Europe). I'm coming to the end of some of them and, having marked very carefully how much I used as I went, I'm finding that they have actually sent me 10 yard rolls and billed me for 12! At $100. per yard+ shipping and taxes here you can imagine I'm pretty upset. Artists need to get the word out about this sort of thing so as to motivate dealers not to cheat. You can check out my work on henryfinkelstein.com if only to verify that I am a practicing artist and not someone just messing around. Also get back to me, anyone who has had similar experience.
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JoeArt
Aug 6, 2010 @ 4:29 pm | delete
- Very informative lens, a really great resource for artists
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Jack Lower
Apr 9, 2010 @ 6:30 pm | delete
- Hi Katherine, we would love to be listed on your site as a supplier. We are a supplier of quality italian made artist easels. We offer the type of product and customer service that your readers deserve.
Thanks,
Jack
www.MABEFeasel.com
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Ashlie Esco
Feb 26, 2010 @ 1:19 am | delete
- A very nice broad based resource, i really enjoyed a lot of the content. I would like to suggest an online retail store www.atsuppliesdirect.com. We are a wife and husband team with a passion for art and expressing creativity through art. We would love to be listed on your site.
Thanks.
Ashlie
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Katrina Morris
Jun 24, 2009 @ 5:05 pm | delete
- What a great resource. We would love to have you stop by and review our site:
http://www.rexart.com
We are a family owned art supply store serving the Miami area since 1950. We started selling online in 1995 and have a loyal following. We strive to make the online shopping experience as much like shopping in the store as possible.
Thanks so much!
Katrina
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LindaJM
May 27, 2009 @ 12:33 pm | delete
- Wonderful resource, thank you! 5* and an Angel blessing. I know I'll come back by this lens again, and am bookmarking it - plus lensrolling to a few of my lenses.
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makingamark
Aug 26, 2008 @ 11:36 pm | delete
- The answer is that you can't add your site in - all links are moderated by me.
The way it works is you leave a comment and a website link and I check it out. If it looks reputable then I include it. However it I subsequently receive negative comments about it then I will review its continued inclusion with the parties concerned.
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primomart.com
Aug 26, 2008 @ 1:22 pm | delete
- how do i add my link to your art supply section.
www.primomart.com specializes in artist canvas and other artist supplies.
chuck
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makingamark
Feb 8, 2008 @ 5:22 am | delete
- Jeannette commented on my blog "another independent to add to your American list - Sterling Art in Irvine, California. I found this little gem while I was there last year. This is a 24,000 sq ft independent store established since 1960. Go visit if you're in the area. They will also ship to you and are in the process of creating a commerce/catalogue service. http://www.sterlingart.com/"
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About Me
More Resources for Artists
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by makingamark
I'm an artist and writer who enjoys sharing information about art. Making A Mark is rated #3 in the top 25 UK art blogs. I'm also a member of the Giants... more »
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