From high quality oil paints to professional grade camera lenses, it’s no secret that art supplies can run up a bill. However, for those who are just getting started in their creative field or are looking for an affordable hobby, spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars may not be an option. In this blog we will cover some of the best options for art supplies on a budget!
Defining the Low-Budget, High-Impact Mindset
When it comes to making though-provoking art, it’s the quality of your ideas and execution that matters, not the price of your materials. However, the issue with cheap art supplies is that they can hinder an artist’s execution and muddle the desired themes of a work. When the execution is compromised, audience members may fail to see the author’s intent and even the finest of ideas can go unnoticed.
Cost per Learning Outcome, Not Cost per Item
When budgeting for new projects as an artist it is important to remember that you’re not only designing a budget for a desired project but also a desired improvement in your own skillset. As such, it may be useful to consider your investment in materials as an investment in your own creative education.
Prioritizing Core Media, Tools, and Cross-Use Versatility
For artists looking to save money, it’s helpful to select a core medium or media to stick to. That way when purchasing tools and materials for a new project there is a high likelihood that those same purchases will remain useful for new projects and continue to save the artist money.
Equity, Access, and Community Partnerships
Artists can utilize community partnerships to make their artwork more accessible and lower costs by tapping into the existing organizations aligned with their goals. One example of outreach could include collaborating with the local library. Not only do libraries also have tools like 3D-printers that are too expensive for young artists, but they can also get in touch with community members.
Smarter Sourcing and Purchasing
Looking for affordable art supplies at big box stores as well as local retailers can help you learn the cost of different materials. By keeping an eye out for coupons, end of year sales, and bulk buy discounts artists can strike when the deals are their best.
Joining an Artists Co-ops
There are a lot of great benefits provided to artists when joining an artists cooperative (co-op). According to Craft Industry Alliance, artists can save by using a shared tool lending library and cooperative purchasing. In addition to these benefits, co-ops often have a storefront for artists to sell their work in exchange for staffing the storefront a given number of hours each month. Additionally, the community formed within co-ops is often the largest selling point for artists.
Thrift, Surplus, and Habitat Restores for Alternative Materials
For budget conscious artists there are a myriad of second-hand art supplies available. Checking Goodwill for thrift store finds, or surplus stores like Ross can provide some of the fundamental supplies. Habitat Restores can also offer cheap, non-conventional art supplies that are sure to prompt artists to think about familiar items in creative ways.
Educational Discounts
Many local and national retailers may provide discount art supplies to those currently enrolled in school. This also applies to many software tools worth considering such as Adobe Creative Cloud. There is a fairly brief window in which artists can take advantage of these discounts thus they are particularly worth learning about.
Using Recycled Materials
Utilizing recycled materials such as cardboard or styrofoam provides artists a low cost or no cost way of iterating ideas without fear of failure. Low cost art materials take attention off of expenses and leave space for artists to focus on personal improvement.
Sustainability as a Selling Point
Respurposing that which would otherwise be thrown away into sustainable art materials can be a major selling point for prospective customers. By decreasing waste and turning it into a value-add, artists can align their values with their aesthetics and attract those who want art that has a “green” message.
Homemade Grounds and Natural Pigments
Creativity is lurking around every corner and maybe even in your drink! Unexpected waste materials like coffee grounds can be repurposed into natural pigment making. Additionally, according to Upcycled Design Lab grounds can even be used to add unique texture to one of a kind projects.
Reuse Systems and Circular Workflows
Many artistic processes also create waste, as such one of the best things artists can do when making art is finding a way to reuse these materials in their work. Doing so generates a “Circular Workflow” where the byproducts of a single process can be used again when the process is repeated.
Inventory Systems and Storage
Time is the most important resource anyone can possess, especially an artist. As such, spending hours searching around messy studio space is not only a waste of time but it can seriously disrupt creative workflows at important turning points. To avoid this, artists might consider seriously organizing their studio inventory.
Barcode/QR Tracking, PAR Levels, and Reorder Points
To keep certain supplies in consistent stock, artists can utilize barcode inventory or QR code tracking to maintain stable supply levels. Additionally, PAR Levels calculate an ideal inventory count for a particular resource so it is clear when to make a PAR level reorder.
FIFO Rotation, Labeling Standards, and Color Codes
First in first out or FIFO rotation is a helpful tool for getting the most out of resources like paints that will inevitably expire. By labelling materials with not only an expiration date but also purchase date, artists are able to get the most out of their materials. Combining this technique with color coding can make the age of an item instantly recognizable.
Secure Storage: Sharps, Aerosols, and Restricted Access
Depending on the chosen medium or media of an artist, their studio might contain potentially hazardous items worth keeping in a safe and secured space. From paint thinner to razor blades there are all types of safety concerns that come with various art supplies. Locked safe storage cabinets with proper labelling and ventilation can be a literal life saver for artists handling potentially dangerous supplies, especially in a classroom or a home with a child.
Teaching With Constraints
Applying constraints to a project may feel limiting at first glance but they often spark an artist’s creativity in unique ways. Working with particular materials or limited resources can do the same thing while also ensuring a project stays under budget.
One-Media Challenges
Many artists strive to work in a diverse variety of media, however the costs of constantly switching between different media can mean costly expenditures on new materials and equipment. Honing a single medium can push an artist’s limits and grow their creativity. The repetition of a single material can inspire artists to express new and bold ideas.
“Use What You Have”
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can,” is a quote popularized by tennis legend Arthur Ashe. However, it is also perfectly applicable to the world of art. It encourages artists to not only use the materials readily available to them but also finding inspiration everywhere.
Rubrics That Reward Ingenuity and Care
Art educators looking to impress upon their students the value of cheap art supplies should consider constructing rubrics that reflect this emphasis. Considerations for students might include preparing an artist statement which describes their process using affordable materials and how the materiality affects the desired message of the piece.
Case Studies: Global Perspectives
Artists and designers can always find added inspirations by learning more about a wealth of diverse projects and perspectives. Let’s break down a few global case studies that highlight cost effective creativity.
United Kingdom—Community “Scrapstore” Integration for Textiles
In Bristol, United Kingdom Children’s Scrapstore is a charity focused on the reuse and upcycling of previously discarded materials as art supplies. Their goal is to divert waste from landfills by accepting donations from businesses looking to get rid of reusable materials. Scrap store sourcing is available to community members at a low cost to inspire an outlet for children and adults to express their creativity.
Kenya—Upcycled Sculpture From E-Waste and Market Offcuts
According to thekidsshouldseethis.com, Cyrus Kabiru is a Kenyan artist who is taking recycling to the next level through his creative use of e-waste. Kabiru has made a name for himself by making stylish eyeglasses from Nairobi’s discarded e-waste, saying ‘“I try to give trash a second chance… We need to change our mentality. We need to be creative with what we’re doing.”
Australia—Regional Materials Library and Traveling Tool Kits
In Australia, one idea is catching like wildfire, a centralized Tool Lending Library. toollibrary.com.au is an Australian site dedicated to helping individuals find access to specific tools in their region. By promoting shared resources, sites like these minimize an individual consumer’s footprint.
High Impact Education
You can find inspiration in more than just low cost art materials, find it in a new community! At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we offer an on-campus and online Bachelor of Fine Arts Programs, both of which emphasize the importance of reducing environmental impact through the creative use and sources of unique materials. Request more information about our fine arts degree programs today.
FAQs: Sourcing Art Supplies
Q1: Where do I find reliable low-cost supplies without sacrificing quality?
- Compare educational vendors, join buying co-ops, and mix new with thrift/surplus items.
Q2: How do I manage donations so they don’t create clutter?
- Publish a “yes/no” list, schedule intake windows, pre-sort, and log items. Keep only curriculum-aligned donations; redirect extras to maker spaces or scrap stores.
Q3: What inventory system works for a small program?
- Start with a spreadsheet plus QR codes for bins. Track PAR levels, set reorder points, and run a monthly cycle count.
Q4: What are safe storage rules for paints, solvents, and aerosols?
- Store flammables in approved cabinets, segregate acids/bases, keep Safety Data Sheets on file, provide ventilation and utilize PPE.
H3: Q5: How can I make eco-friendly substitutions students will accept?
- A/B test: present solvent-free or low-VOC options alongside legacy media, compare outcomes, and gather feedback. Document wins and updated supply lists.
Q7: What if my class breaks tools frequently?
- Implement check-in/out, teach care routines, assign roles (tech/clean), keep a repair log, and buy mid-tier tools with replaceable parts to lower lifetime cost.
