A list of online suppliers of fine art materials in the UK
Due to the closure of all non essential shops as from this morning, all art shops you can visit in the UK should now be closed - which means ordering online or via email or telephone to replenish your supplies of whatever you need for your art. Or working your way through the stock of art materials you've been building up for some time! ;)
I made a list a little while back of online suppliers for a website I'm building about Fine Art Materials - paints, pastels, pencils, paper, canvases, art equipment etc.
Unlike my list of art shops (which is ordered geographically), this list of online suppliers is organised alphabetically - because of course it doesn't matter where you live or where they are based so long as they can ship to you.You can find that list below. I've not checked every detail of what I've written - but every link should be live.
If you have more online art supplies retailers to recommend please leave a comment - with name and url address and WHY you recommend that supplier.
UPDATEL 25 MARCH 2020: I've updated this morning for links or notes about what websites are saying re Covid-19 Updates
(I've reopened comments and am sincerely hoping I'm not going to go back to the spamfest of the past!!)
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| Banner for the as yet unpublished "UK Art Shops and Online Art Supplies" |
Important notes
- Pricing: 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.
- Overseas customers should remember to check with their Customs whether they will have any import tax to pay.
- Check the shipping costs and agents used - 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.
- Beware suppliers who use UPS - they have been known to say they called when the artist was at home and knew they hadn't. Check who the online supplier uses for deliveries.
I've had a twitter reply from UPS to say consider it "lost in transit"
an artist I know
- You have the option if your supplier is local to choose your own courier to pick up direct from the retailer (if they will allow this).
- Coronavirus has generated a lot of orders - It's apparent that some of the art suppliers are being overwhelmed with orders for art material for kids. So if you need any art supplies I wouldn't leave it to the last minute - or you might like to try a new supplier who doesn't stock art materials suitable for kids.
- Europe is no longer shipping supplies - so if you want supplies from European suppliers yu'd be well advised to order sooner rather than later - but PLEASE do not order more than you need and DO NOT HOARD!
Attention online suppliers of art materials and equipment!
I will be noting the artists who write and comment either online or via private emails/messages to be about performance.
So if you don't want an adverse comment on your company as a supplier of fine art materials do try to make sure
- you stick to your delivery timescales
- and/or make sure art supplies actually arrive!
A
- A.P. Fitzpatrick Fine Art Materials - A unique, specialist art materials store in Bethnal Green close to the very many galleries and artists' studios in the East End of London. Shop online from specialist supplie Covid-19 Update: All shop business including online sales temporarily SUSPENDED as of 21.03.20.
- Art Discount - Online store for art supplies, craft materials and artist's equipment. They claim massive discounts and speedy delivery. They use reputable carrier services who require a signature on delivery Covid-19 Update: online store is open and operational as usual, UK delivery services remain largely unaffected at this point.
Unfortunately due to the current circumstances we will not be able to take any further orders for Winsor & Newton Canvases - Artesaver - Artesaver - The online site for Seawhite. Art Materials at Factory Prices. Art and design equipment and supplies, sketchbooks, holdalls, foamboard, presentation etc... all at competitive prices. (Linked to Seawhite of Brighton - see retail section)
- ArtiFolk - all your art supplies under one roof in the UK. The prices you see are what you pay, no VAT to add, and post and packing only if you spend less than £40 (UK Mainland). You can order online and use either our secure payment facility or pay. Very good reviews.
- Artistmaterial - online home of Turnham Arts & Crafts based at 2 Bedford Park Corner, Turnham Green Terrace, London W4 1LS Tel: +44 20 8995 2872. Covid-19 Update: you can continue to place orders online but there may be delays in delivery
