Browsing physical art stores is a wonderful, almost romantic experience.
Whether you find yourself in one of Cass Art’s many locations, the famous handcrafted stationary shop Choosing Keeping in Covent Garden, or even an expertly curated museum gift shop, the overwhelming urge to bankrupt oneself through the purchase of unnecessary art supplies is very real.
You might find yourself delicately browsing canvases of varying sizes, comparing paint swatches and marvelling over just how miniature the tip of a paintbrush can really be. You’ll eye up a pad of watercolour paper handcrafted by artisans in the Scottish Highlands or convince yourself that it’s definitely time to purchase yet another travel paint set before coming to your senses.
Whether you’re a professional artist who creates for a living, enjoy crafting as a side hustle, or are simply getting back into the hobby, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to building your very own art supply arsenal.
The options are endless, and the vast majority of art supply shops charge a premium while offering enticing products marketed as necessary for budding young artists – which is frankly never truly the case.
As such, even the most seasoned artists can struggle with finding the best value-for-money art supply shops or enter through the doors of a more luxurious store and find themselves stocking up on brushes and pens that they’ll never use. We hobbyists here at ES Best are most definitely guilty of doing this on more than one occasion.
From beginners looking to take up a creative hobby, to design obsessives who prefer to save up for high-quality artistic utensils to complete a smaller collection of premium tools, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best online art supply stores.
Rather than exposing yourself to the sensory overload that most art shops embody, take your time to discover a range of brilliant products at even better prices. Keep scrolling for more.
Shop now
10 best die cutting machines for craft aficionados
Best kitchen scissors that are a cut above the rest
Best craft kits for kids that could inspire a new hobby
Best travel sewing kits for a quick fix on the go or at home
Best paint brushes for walls to make your redecoration a success
Best furniture paint to transform your chairs, tables and chests of drawers
Art Discount
Specialists in the realm of extra-large and wholesale art supplies, Art Discount is a brilliant place to shop for amateurs, budding professionals and mature artists alike. Since its humble beginnings in Blackpool in 1890 under the name ‘Grantham Sign Writers’, Art Discount has been consistently expanding in line with the modernisation of art supplies and graphic design for 100 years.
One of the most impressive deals we’ve spotted is this Mabef M18 Convertible Studio Easel measuring 26â ” x 29½” which comes with a set of 12 oil and acrylic brushes in a delightful sage green pouch for just £449 – having previously been priced at £795. You can also scoop up a professional, fully-stocked Rembrandt Oil Box with a set of 12 brushes for £189 (previously £376.35).
You’ll also get free delivery on all orders above £50.
Buy now, Art Discount
Cass Art
Though this is a premium art supply store that we wouldn’t necessarily recommend to budding young artists and beginners, we understand that it’s difficult to resist the allure of this luxurious establishment that has consistent celebrity endorsement. Founded in 1984, Cass Art is yet another London-based art shop which has been at the centre of the bustling creative scene for decades.
The often multi-floor stores are brilliant, offering a one-stop-shop for anything you could ever need – so long as you’re willing to spend a pretty penny. This is why we prefer shopping via Cass Art’s online store, especially for their own-brand products. For instance, this top-rated Cass Art Half Pan Watercolour Lightweight Metal Box of 36 is currently on offer for an incredibly wallet-friendly £34.95. Meanwhile, a case of 45 Posca pens is just £147.50, with a RRP of £249.99. Bargain-hunting graphic designers and multi-medium artists rejoice!
Buy now, Cass Art
London Graphic Centre
Whether you’re a fan of printmaking, making paper from scratch, a graphic designer looking to upgrade their tools, a stationery enthusiast, or fancy trying your hand at any other crafty hobby under the sun, the London Graphic Centre has got you covered. Founded in 1973 by a team of artists, the London Graphic Centre has a physical shop in Convent Garden as well as a bustling online store.
For decades now, the LGC has been at the forefront of the capital’s art scene and remains on a mission to help creatives of all kinds hone their skills with the aid of premium products at affordable prices.
At the London Graphic Centre online shop, you’ll be able to browse some of the best of the best when it comes to both local and international art supplies. Thanks to 50 years of partnership and collaboration with these iconic brands – such as Derwent, Pentel, Liquitex and Midori– LGC is able to offer unbeatable prices. Plus, the shop offers a whopping 15 per cent off to all students.
One of our favourite supply sets on offer at LGC is the Faber-Castell Pitt Monochrome & Graphite Matte 9000 Pencil Set - Tin of 20, which is just £35.95 and comes with a putty eraser, regular eraser, sharpener and blending tool.
Buy now, London Graphic Centre
Hobbycraft
For consistently discounted prices and a range of child-friendly craft supplies, look no further than the iconic British brand Hobbycraft. Contrary to popular belief, Hobbycraft stores are not limited to business parks off the M25 and the North Circular, you can shop the very same bargains online.
Known especially for its dedicated craft kits, one of our favourites to shop right now is the Abstract Punch Needle Cushion Kit for £21. There’s also a Singer S0105 Overlocker Machine and Accessories Bundle priced at just £314 for all of our textile-making enthusiasts out there.
Buy now, Hobbycraft
Great Art
Relatively new in comparison to its competitors, Great Art opened its first UK store back in 2016 and the two-story giant continues to stand tall in Shoreditch to this day.
This superstore – both online and in-person- is geared towards budding professionals and lovers of traditional artistic mediums including fine art, drawing, sculpture and print-making. The ‘I Love Art’ range has a plethora of discounted essentials, from a roll of primed cotton canvas priced at just £109, to Filbert bristle oil brushes at £1.49 a piece.
Buy now, Great Art
Die-cutters and other craft sets
With a die-cut machine, the crafting possibilities are endless. Depending on the machine type, you can create anything from cake toppers and stickers, to scrapbooks and even wearable apparel. Some of the more advanced machines even allow you to engrave onto metal and glass. Making personalised gifts is easier than ever.
Cricut Maker 3
Probably the most well-known machine on this list, the Cricut hasn’t sold out of craft stores internationally for no reason. The Cricut Maker 3 is the brand’s latest offering, providing an unparalleled cutting experience.
With the power to cut over 300 materials – including wood, leather and paper to name a few – and speeds up to 2x faster than previous Cricut models, this device is ideal for more advanced crafters and those who plan to sell their creations. Though on the pricier side, the Cricut Maker 3 is considered by many seasoned professionals to be the best smart cutter machine on the market, but there’s only one way to find out.
Buy now £429.99, Cricut
Gemini Mini - Manual Die-Cutting Machine
The Gemini mini is another example of a compact yet capable die-cutter. Perfect for those new to die cutting, this model comes with tools and accessories meaning it’s ready to use straight out of the box. Plus, it comes to a grand total of £29.99, making it one of the more affordable die-cutting machines on the market.
Buy now £29.99, Crafter’s Companion
Wool and the Gang Robbie Tank Easy Crochet Kit
Sweater vests, first popularised in the 90s and worn by the likes of Chandler Bing has seen a huge resurgence in popularity. Learn to make your own and you could have them in every colour. A touch above Beginner, Wool and the Gang have rated this kit as Easy, so it’s great if you’ve got a little experience.
Contents:
- Robbie Tank pattern
- 2 balls of Shiny Happy Cotton in colour A
- 2 balls of Shiny Happy Cotton in colour B
- 3 balls of Shiny Happy Cotton in colour C
- 5mm crochet hook (optional)
- 6.5mm crochet hook (optional)
- 1 sewing needle
Buy now £62.40, Wool and the Gang
