Mention the term “art supplies” to any artist, and you may hear they talk about their paint brushes, easel, framing needs or what new paints they need. At the same time, art supplies are not just for painters, but each and every person who creates some type of art form.
For instance, Jessie says he needs “cutting tools” for his unique sculpture art; while Ben likes to work on art mosaics and also enjoys using colored pencils, markers and pencils for his many art drawings that he sells at area art fairs and outdoor craft shows.
“When I’m asked what art supplies I need, I just tend to roll my eyes because my want list is huge. In fact, I’d say my art needs includes even art books and other media that offer me ideas or help me discover a muse for my art.”
At the same time, an artist named Barb says her art form is both scrap booking and sign making. “I really need a studio for my art, but my basement will have to do for now,” she says with a grin.
Also, Barb is keen on screen printing and says the supplies she needs is somewhat expensive as are the tools for her printmaking projects. “I’d say that today’s art store has changed from the days when artist supplies really meant a canvas, paints and brushes. Today, it’s all over the place with all sorts of art papers, and board and even framing classes so you can do it all yourself.”
In turn, there’s a growing list of special needs when it comes to a growing world of artists whose supplies are often created based on a need to create some sort of unusual art that requires more than the usual oil paints, tempera or watercolors.
Also, there’s a growing trend to offer artists various hard bound portfolios or even online art websites or other ways and means to showcase one’s art after it’s been created. Thus, those supplies that were usually associated with an artist’s creative work has now expanded to thousands of different tools, methods and processes that are intended to both make the creation of art easier, and to broaden the business of supplies for artists in general.
Overall, today’s supplies for artists are massive with everything from planning a work of art to cleaning up one’s space after the art has been created.
