Early Access: How to Score Cheap Art Supplies-My Best Hacks on Saving $$ on Art Supplies- Artist Advice Vlog (Patreon)

How to Score Cheap Art Supplies-My Best Hacks on Saving $$ on Art Supplies- Artist Advice Vlog

Script: My Best Hacks on Saving $$ for Art Supplies Totally unsponsored. All opinions and suggestions are my own. I'm going to focus on traditional media because I have a tablet review coming up where I talk about a LOT of free/very inexpensive art programs. I will start by saying you can make art with inexpensive supplies. Some artists use the cheap ballpoint pens on copy paper to create wonderful illustrations. Comics can be made with just a pencil, paper, and an eraser. Although it's nice to have nice art supplies, that should not stop you from making art. All the art supply reviews I do where I encourage you to buy the best you can afford- that is keeping in mind that many cannot afford those supplies or that it may be a later aspiration- something to save up for, but I am in no way saying that you cannot make art with inexpensive or cheap art supplies. Generally, where you save $$ is where you'll spend time. All of these suggestions are suggestions I use or have used, but they take time, research, and patience. Split with friends: With watercolors, 3 friends can each buy a tube- 1 a mid yellow, 1 a mid red, 1 a mid blue, or if possible, 1 cool yellow, warm yellow, 1 cool red, warm red, 1 cool blue, warm blue. Divvy watercolors up into half pans (this should easily stretch for 3 people, and half pans can either be purchased at the store, or ordered online in bulk) and stored in an altoids tin or other small mint tin. Use a waterbrush or inexpensive synthetic brush (like a Zen brush). Split a pack of watercolor paper (like 9x12 or slightly larger Canson XL, or cottonrag papers) and cut the papers in half to make smaller sheets. Tape bound is cheaper than block bound. The huge sheets can be broken down into much smaller sheets to save money. Trade art supplies with friends. Join an art discord server, because oftne they'll talk about ongoing sales. Try writing to companies for samples Try asking at local brick and mortar stores for samples If your local library provides free art classes, oftne the materials for that class are included Watch and read reviews to help you invest your $$ wisely in art supplies you will like Avoid Michaels/Hobby Lobby UNLESS they are having a deeply discounted sale- I would honstly recommend avoiding them entirely if possible. I know for many, this is the best they have, but they're both very overpriced, and Walmart sells some of the same art and stationary supplies that Michaels does for less. Keep an eye out for big sales, like Prime Day Sales, Black Friday Sales, ect. Blick and Jerry's Artarama Both have Clearance and Sale Sections Sign up for big retailer mailing lists (Blick, Jerry's Cheap Joe's, Jackson's), because they'll advertise big sales or discounts Utilize plug ins like Honey and Retail Me Not for promo codes. Utilize Slick Deals for promo codes and deals. Set watches on eBay for generally expensive art supplies Check Craiglist, ESPECIALLY around colleges with art departments at the end of the semester for studnets looking to offload supplies cheaply Freecycle Some cities have art supply thrift stores where you can either trade in existing art supplies or buy used art supplies very cheaply. Many (many) places do not though. Patience and persistence are your best friends when it comes to saving money on art supplies. It may take a really long time to build up the supplies you need for your dream projects. Doing projects in monochrome, monotone, and limited color selections will help you continue to make art, learn color theory, while pinching pennies. Working mixed media will also allow you to use what you already have. Music: Sunny Travel- Nico Staf Sunset Dream- Cheel #artvlog #artistvlog #artadvice