Are your art supplies lacking? Whether your acrylics have dried up and you're in need of a fresh set, or you'd like to venture into a new skill such as printing or pastels, our roundup of the best art supplies has got you covered.
Every artist should have a range of tools at the ready should inspiration strike, and we've covered most of the bases to bring you the best paints, brushes, pencils, and printing kit to level up your arsenal. Whether you're a novice artist or a seasoned pro, our selection includes high quality items for reasonable prices, and there's often the option to scale up or down on size depending on your needs.
Stock up your art supplies now and read on to discover our top picks for 2024.
Best art supplies to buy in 2024
Winsor & Newton Galeria 10 x 60ml set
Best acrylic paint set
A set of acrylic paints is a staple for any art supplies kit. The Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paint Set is a pro-grade pick that won't break the bank. Tailored for colour-savvy painters skilled in crafting vibrant blends, this starter pack boasts 10 essential shades, complete with dual warm and cool reds. The Galeria set's exquisite satin finish adds a touch of finesse to your creations, making it an apt choice for those seeking upgraded paints without a hefty artist-grade price tag.
Pros: Great value, includes warm and cool reds, satin finish.
Cons: Only 10 colours.
If you're after a wider range of colours, make sure to check out our roundup of the best acrylic paint sets and how to use them!
- Buy now from ART Discount (£22.95)
String and Space A3 spiral bound sketchbook
Best mixed media sketchbook
If you've had a taste of art school or life drawing classes, chances are you've come across these trusty black cover spiral bound sketchbooks. Popular among students and mixed media creators alike, the 200gsm thick paper accommodates various artistic mediums, and the wire spiral binding ensures hassle-free removal of your finished artwork – whether you're framing it or bidding it adieu. Plus, the sturdy covers offer protection for your sketches on the go, doubling as a reliable surface for field sketching when tables are nowhere in sight.
Pros: Works with all medium, sturdy cover and wire bound.
Cons: Not specialised towards any given medium.
If you're after a sketchbook for a particular medium, such as watercolour or pencil drawing, make sure to check out the best mixed media sketchbooks, where we roundup the best options for all artists.
Cass Art synthetic brush set
Best paintbrushes
For students and artists seeking versatile tools, these art paint brushes are a solid bet. Crafted from synthetic bristles, this set suits acrylic, watercolour, gouache, and oil mediums – covering all your creative bases. With 10 brushes in various shapes, and a sturdy travel-friendly case thrown in, you've got a comprehensive package that's ready to accompany you wherever inspiration strikes.
Pros: Suits all mediums, vegan, travel case included.
Cons: Doesn't include a very fine or very large brush.
We cover everything you need to know about paintbrushes, so if you've been questioning the difference between acrylic and watercolour brushes, and whether synthetic is better than natural hairs, head over to our comprehensive guide!
- Buy now from Cass Art (£26.95).
Reeves fine art oil paint set
Best oil paints for beginners
The Reeves oil paint set features a collection of ten 50ml tubes in a spectrum of colours, perfect for the novice oil painter. It also contains two generous 200ml tubes of essential black and white .
Tailored for beginners, this oil paint set promises enduring value, sparing you the need to hunt down additional tubes anytime soon. Your artistic journey just got a whole lot smoother.
Pros: Includes 200ml of black and white paints, great value, warm and cool reds
Cons: Expert oil painters might require higher quality
Oil painting can be a bit tricky, so if you're a beginner, it's well worth checking out our roundup of the best oil paints for beginners for the best choices and how to use them.
Winsor & Newton, Cotman Watercolour, 'Studio Set', 45
Best watercolour paints
Embarking on your watercolour journey? This Winsor & Newton watercolour paint set for beginners has all bases covered.
Featuring removable pans, it's a breeze to replenish specific colours as they run low – creating your own personal palette.
Renowned for vivid hues and top-notch quality, these paints are equally suited for students or painting on the go. If this 46 pan palette is too large for you, there's also a 24pc or 19pc option.
Pros: 46 high quality colours, removable pans, includes palette.
Cons: Not as portable.
Looking for more options? Don't miss our roundup of the best watercolour paints.
Liquidraw 42 well palette
Best paint palette
A mixing palette is an essential addition to any artist's arsenal, and the versatile Liquidraw palette is compatible with acrylics, oils, gouache, and watercolours, making it a great choice.
With 42 wells, you're free to experiment with a multitude of colours simultaneously. This palette is portable, folding neatly for fuss-free storage or easy toting to painting locations or art classes. And the icing on the cake? A tight-sealing lid that preserves your oil and acrylic paints, keeping them fresh and workable for longer.
Pros: 42 well, compatible with all mediums, tight-sealing lid keeps paint fresh
Cons: Not as aesthetic as traditional wooden palette.
Discover why every artist needs a paint palette in our comprehensive guide.
Faber Castell Goldfaber Aqua watercolour pencils
Best watercolour pencils
Faber Castell's Goldfaber watercolour pencils strike a remarkable balance between affordability and exceptional quality.
These vibrant pencils seamlessly blend and transform with a touch of water, offering long-lasting, vivid colours, and their sturdy tips stand up well even to those who press a bit too hard. These pencils are ideal for artists at every skill level.
Pros: Available in a set of 12, 24, 36, or 48 pencil, high quality, great value
Cons: None!
Looking for more options? Don't miss our roundup of the best watercolour pencils.
Staedtler Mars Lumography pencil set
Best drawing pencils
For those who want to dive into drawing without breaking the bank, the Staedtler sketching pencil set hits the mark. Spanning from 6B to 4H, this selection accommodates various sketching styles, neatly housed in a robust tin for protection. Staedtler is a popular brand and this is a good set for beginners – you can always upgrade to a professional set at a later date if you get really into drawing!
Pros: Spans from 6B to 4H, great value, ideal for beginners.
Cons: Doesn't include eraser/sharpener.
If you're looking for a set of soft or hard pencils, or perhaps just want more options, don't miss our roundup of the best pencils for drawing.
Faber-Castell, Castell 9000 Art Set Pencil
Best graphite pencils
The Castell 9000 Art Set offers six pencils spanning from HB to 8B. A legacy in stationery craftsmanship since 1761, Faber-Castell ensures durability and reliability in your creative journey.
Perfect for drawing, sketching, and writing, these pencils boast a break-resistant design for extended usage – a go-to choice cherished by illustrators and artists. Slide the compact tin into your bag, and you're all set to sketch on the move!
Pros: Backed by the trusted reputation of Faber-Castell, ideal for beginners and versatile use.
Cons: Provides only one pencil of each grading.
Faber-Castell charcoal set
Charcoal drawing for beginners
Faber-Castell's charcoal drawing set provides all the essentials, from pencils to compressed sticks, alongside a kneadable eraser and paper stump for seamless blending.
Whether you're a charcoal enthusiast or diving into the medium, this comprehensive set delivers top-notch quality and all-around satisfaction.
Pros: Huge range of charcoal pencils, sticks, and blenders.
Cons: Quite pricey, not as portable as a smaller set.
Learn how to create charcoal art in our comprehensive guide of charcoal drawing for beginners.
Faber-Castell Creative Studio Oil Pastels Box 24
Best oil pastels
We've included a number of Faber-Castell products in our roundup, as they're a trusted name in the art world, offering an array of supplies spanning from paints to drawing pencils. Their 24-piece oil pastel set covers a diverse range of shades, sporting a delightfully soft consistency for seamless blending.
While these pastels make a fantastic pick for beginners, note their slightly firmer texture – if they prove too rigid for your artistry, consider exploring more supple options in a higher price range.
Pros: Large range of colours, high quality, great value.
Cons: May be too firm for some users.
Oil pastels are very satisfying to draw with due to their thick texture and bright colours. Check out more of our favourites in our roundup of the best oil pastels.
Faber Castell soft pastels
Best soft pastels
Have you ever felt frustrated at muddied colours when blending chalk pastels? Faber Castell's 72-colour soft pastel set offers a huge range of cool and warm tones, allowing you to pick the perfect shade for any project.
These pastels blend seamlessly, boasting a consistent texture for smooth application. Ideal for portable use, keep in mind their compact size and enduring quality for lasting value.
Pros: Range of colours, high quality, compact size.
Cons: Soft pastels are more fragile than other mediums.
Discover more options and learn how to create beautiful blended art using soft pastels in our guide.
Schmincke Aqua linoprint ink set
Best printing ink
Schmincke maintains its top-tier status with their high-quality printing inks, evident in this water-based acrylic ink set featuring light-fast shades. Despite the modest 20ml tubes, you'll discover the ink stretches impressively, delivering remarkable value.
With five blendable colours, this lino printing ink set is perfect for experimenting. Quick-drying in just 15 minutes, it's a fantastic choice for layered creations, allowing you to build on your designs with ease.
Pros: Water-based for easy cleaning, quick-drying, high quality.
Cons: Would be preferable to include larger tubes of white and black.
For more lino printing equipment, check out the best lino printing kit, supplies, and tools to buy.
Essdee traditional grey lino
Best lino
Essdee takes the spotlight as a major player in printmaking linoleum supply. Offering sheets in sizes ranging from 15cm x 10cm to 30cm x 40cm, each pack usually contains two sheets.
Traditional grey linoleum can prove stubborn to carve, particularly in cooler environments – consider warming your block with a hairdryer or letting it soften on a radiator before you dive into carving for optimal outcomes.
Pros: Great value, different size options available.
Cons: Can be hard to carve.
Discover how to lino print on fabric in our fab tutorial.
Pro-Art Strathmore printmaking paper
Best printing paper
For those starting out, this printmaking paper strikes a balance between quality and cost, making it a prime choice.
With a decent thickness, your prints will exude a professional touch, a plus if you're considering selling your work. Available in various sizes, these packs cater to your specific printmaking needs.
Pros: Perfect weight for absorbing inks, pack of 20 sheets, high quality.
Cons: None!
If you've had a go a lino printing and want to expand your horizons, check out the best home screen printing kits for an exciting change.
Artway lino brayers
Best ink rollers
Artway's sturdy lino brayers, available in sizes ranging from 5cm to 20cm, provide a wallet-friendly alternative to Essdee rollers, starting at just £5.99 for a 5cm brayer. An excellent choice for budget-conscious artists seeking quality tools.
Pros: Great value, durable rubber material, available in a range of sizes,
Cons: Not as high quality as Essdee rollers.
Jackson's wood cut knife
Best lino cutters
While often labelled as wood cutting tools, the Jackson's wood cut knives shine in the realm of printmaking as well. While craft stores offer economical lino printing tools with plastic handles, opting for these may lead to frustration when attempting to carve lino. Affordable wood carving tools present a practical substitute, boasting similar sharp blades to lino cutting tools, ensuring a smoother carving experience.
Pros: Affordable, high quality, sustainable choice.
Cons: The shape of the handle may not be as ergonomic as others
- Buy now from Jackson's (£18.40).
An artist is only as good as their supplies
Don't let yourself down with shoddy kit - treat yourself to a fresh set of charcoals or a experiment with vibrant pastels, and pick up a skill you haven't tried before. There's no use in letting a crusted up paintbrush limit your capabilities!
Store your supplies with success
If your art room is looking cluttered, make sure to check out 23 craft storage solutions for your craft room. From cupboards, to trolleys, to chests of drawers, there's a solution of all shapes and sizes in our roundup.
