Finding the best online art supply stores can make an enormous difference when you're searching for a specific paint color, archival paper, professional brushes, an unusual drawing surface or simply a better selection than your local store carries.
For artists in 2026, our top overall recommendation is Blick Art Materials because of its broad range of traditional fine-art materials and established U.S. distribution. But it isn't automatically the best store for every artist.
Jerry's Artarama is particularly strong for painters and value-conscious fine artists, Jackson's Art stands out for its enormous specialist fine-art catalog and international reach, Artist & Craftsman Supply offers an artist-focused alternative, and Michaels can be convenient when accessibility and local pickup matter.
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The right choice ultimately depends on what you make, where you live, which brands you need and how much you're ordering.
This guide compares our favorite places to buy art supplies online and explains which store makes the most sense for different types of artists.
What Are the Best Online Art Supply Stores?
Our picks for the best online art supply stores in 2026 are:
- Blick Art Materials — Best overall
- Jerry's Artarama — Best for painters and value
- Jackson's Art — Best for specialist and international fine-art materials
- Artist & Craftsman Supply — Best artist-focused alternative
- Michaels — Best for convenience and mixed creative supplies
- Utrecht Art Supplies — Best for Utrecht-branded painting materials
There isn't one universal winner. A watercolorist looking for specialist paper has different needs from a beginning illustrator buying pencils and a sketchbook.
Best Online Art Supply Stores at a Glance
| Store | Best For | Notable Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Blick Art Materials | Best overall | Huge fine-art catalog |
| Jerry's Artarama | Painters and value | Painting surfaces, paints and frequent deals |
| Jackson's Art | Specialist materials | Extensive international fine-art selection |
| Artist & Craftsman Supply | Artist-focused retailer | Art-focused catalog and accessible shipping |
| Michaels | Convenience | Art, craft and studio supplies in one place |
| Utrecht Art Supplies | Painters | Established Utrecht paint and studio lines |
Prices, promotions, inventory and shipping policies change, so always confirm the current details with the retailer before ordering.
1. Blick Art Materials — Best Online Art Supply Store Overall
If we had to recommend just one online art supply store for the widest range of artists, Blick Art Materials is our overall pick.
Blick carries materials for drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, illustration, crafts and studio work. That makes it useful whether you're buying your first sketchbook or restocking a professional studio.
Artists can shop for:
- Oil and acrylic paint
- Watercolor and gouache
- Colored pencils
- Graphite and charcoal
- Markers
- Brushes
- Canvas
- Drawing and watercolor paper
- Easels
- Printmaking supplies
- Sculpture materials
- Storage
- Studio furniture
The depth of the catalog is one of Blick's biggest advantages. Instead of purchasing paper from one retailer, brushes from another and canvas from somewhere else, artists can often consolidate an order.
Blick's current shipping policy says most stocked merchandise orders of $79 or more qualify for free shipping within the contiguous United States, although exclusions apply and shipping policies can change.
Who Is Blick Best For?
We recommend Blick for:
- Art students
- Illustrators
- Painters
- Drawing artists
- Art teachers
- Professional artists
- Artists purchasing several types of supplies at once
Why We Picked It
Best overall: Blick combines a broad professional art-material selection with products for beginners, students and educators.
The biggest reason to start here isn't that every product will always be cheapest. It's that Blick makes it relatively easy to compare different grades, brands and materials in one catalog.
If you're still determining which materials belong in your studio, our guide to the best art supplies for artists is a useful place to start.
2. Jerry's Artarama — Best for Painters and Art-Supply Deals
Jerry's Artarama has been serving artists since 1968 and specializes specifically in art supplies and framing.
Its online catalog is especially appealing to painters.
You'll find:
- Oil paints
- Acrylic paints
- Watercolors
- Gouache
- Brushes
- Canvas
- Painting panels
- Watercolor paper
- Easels
- Frames
- Drawing supplies
- Studio equipment
Jerry's also carries a number of exclusive product lines, which can make it worth comparing against Blick even when both stores carry the general type of material you need.
At the time of this guide, Jerry's advertises free standard shipping on qualifying merchandise orders of $79 or more within the contiguous 48 states, with exclusions for certain oversized, hazardous and other items.
Who Is Jerry's Artarama Best For?
Jerry's is especially worth checking if you're a:
- Oil painter
- Acrylic painter
- Watercolor artist
- Plein-air painter
- Artist buying canvas in quantity
- Artist shopping for frames
- Value-conscious fine artist
Blick vs Jerry's Artarama: Which Is Better?
For most artists, we'd start with Blick for overall selection and check Jerry's for painting-specific products and price comparisons.
Don't assume the same retailer will be cheaper for every product.
Before placing a large order, compare the final checkout cost, including:
- Product price
- Current discounts
- Shipping
- Oversize charges
- Sales tax
- Quantity pricing
A lower advertised price doesn't necessarily produce a lower final order total.
3. Jackson's Art — Best for Specialist Fine-Art Supplies
If you enjoy researching materials almost as much as using them, Jackson's Art deserves a bookmark.
Jackson's says its U.S. catalog includes 50,000 fine-art supplies, with categories covering color, brushes, surfaces and studio equipment.
Its brand catalog is particularly impressive. Artists can find familiar names alongside brands and specialist products that may be harder to locate through general U.S. craft retailers.
Jackson's carries materials for:
- Oil painting
- Acrylic painting
- Watercolor
- Gouache
- Pastels
- Drawing
- Ink
- Printmaking
- Airbrush
- Chinese painting
- Canvas
- Paper
- Panels
- Brushes
- Studio equipment
The company also publishes detailed product and materials guides, which is useful when you're trying to understand why two seemingly similar papers, brushes or paints behave differently.
Who Is Jackson's Art Best For?
We recommend Jackson's for:
- Experienced painters
- Watercolor artists
- Printmakers
- Material enthusiasts
- Artists looking for specialist brands
- Artists outside the United States
- Professionals looking for a deep fine-art catalog
What About Shipping?
Jackson's operates across multiple markets and warehouses, so delivery options can depend on the item and destination.
For U.S. shoppers, some products can ship domestically while others may come from the company's UK operation. Jackson's recommends adding products and your delivery address to the cart to see the available shipping options and current cost.
That makes it particularly important to check the final shipping details before ordering.
4. Artist & Craftsman Supply — Best Artist-Focused Alternative
Visit Artist & Craftsman Supply
Artist & Craftsman Supply is another retailer worth comparing when you want an art-focused store rather than a general marketplace.
Its catalog spans fine art, drawing, painting and creative materials, and the company operates physical stores as well as its online shop.
At the time of publication, its website advertises tiered shipping with free shipping on qualifying orders of $59 or more, although promotions and policies can change.
Who Is Artist & Craftsman Supply Best For?
Consider Artist & Craftsman Supply if you:
- Prefer specialist art retailers
- Want to compare prices across stores
- Buy both drawing and painting supplies
- Have a physical location nearby
- Want an alternative to the largest online retailers
One advantage of having several reputable art retailers bookmarked is that you don't have to become loyal to one store.
A particular paper may be cheaper at one retailer while your preferred paint is discounted somewhere else.
5. Michaels — Best for Convenience
Michaels isn't as narrowly focused on professional fine-art materials as Blick, Jerry's or Jackson's, but that's also part of its appeal.
Its current art-supply catalog includes:
- Paint and painting supplies
- Drawing supplies
- Artist canvas
- Easels and art desks
- Paper and drawing pads
- Printmaking
- Storage
- Studio supplies
- Art technology
Michaels also sells a much broader range of craft and creative products.
That can be useful if an artist needs canvas, a frame, storage containers and craft materials in the same order.
Who Is Michaels Best For?
We'd consider Michaels for:
- Beginners
- Hobby artists
- Parents buying art supplies
- Mixed-media creators
- Artists who value local availability
- General creative projects
For highly specialized professional materials, we'd usually compare Blick, Jerry's or Jackson's first.
For everyday materials and convenience, Michaels can make a lot of sense.
6. Utrecht Art Supplies — Best for Utrecht Painting Materials
Utrecht Art Supplies has roots going back to 1949 in Brooklyn and remains a familiar name among painters.
Its current catalog features Utrecht paints alongside materials from other established art brands.
Products include:
- Acrylic paint
- Oil paint
- Brushes
- Watercolor paper
- Drawing materials
- Canvas
- Ink
- Pastels
- Sketchbooks
- Studio accessories
Who Is Utrecht Best For?
Utrecht is particularly relevant for:
- Acrylic painters
- Oil painters
- Artists already familiar with Utrecht paints
- Students
- Studio artists
Blick and Utrecht are closely connected today, so don't treat them as completely independent competitors when comparison shopping. But the Utrecht brand and site remain useful destinations for artists specifically interested in Utrecht materials.
Which Online Art Supply Store Is Best for Beginners?
For most beginners in the United States, Blick is our first recommendation because you can compare student-grade and professional-grade materials within a large art-specific catalog.
However, beginners shouldn't assume they need professional-grade versions of everything.
A better strategy is to spend more where quality meaningfully affects the experience and save where it doesn't.
For example, depending on your medium, you might prioritize:
- Better paper
- A few reliable brushes
- A limited palette of good paint
- Quality drawing pencils
- A durable sketchbook
instead of buying an enormous inexpensive kit filled with materials you may never use.
If you're developing your visual identity while experimenting with different materials, try the exercises in How to Find Your Art Style: 10 Exercises for Artists.
Recommended Sketchbook
A sketchbook is one of the few art supplies that can be useful to almost any visual artist.
Amazon product recommendation: Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad
It’s a practical option for drawing exercises, studies, thumbnails and experimenting with ideas before committing to finished work.
As an Amazon Associate, The Artillerist may earn from qualifying purchases.
Which Online Art Supply Store Is Best for Professional Artists?
Professional artists should prioritize material selection, consistency and availability over simply finding the lowest price.
Our recommendations:
- Best all-around professional supplier: Blick Art Materials
- Best for painters and price comparison: Jerry's Artarama
- Best for specialist and harder-to-find fine-art materials: Jackson's Art
Professionals may benefit from maintaining accounts with more than one supplier.
If a particular paper, pigment or canvas becomes an important part of your practice, having alternative sources can help when products are unavailable.
Where Should Digital Artists Buy Supplies?
Digital artists need a different shopping strategy.
Traditional art retailers are useful for:
- Sketchbooks
- Pencils
- Pens
- Reference materials
- Ergonomic studio equipment
- Traditional media used in mixed workflows
But specialized electronics retailers may be better for:
- Pen displays
- Drawing tablets
- Monitors
- Computers
- Styluses
- Replacement nibs
- Cables
If you're building a digital setup, read Best Drawing Tablets for Beginners.
Artists completely new to the medium can start with How to Start Digital Art: A Complete Beginner's Guide.
Windows users considering software options should also see Procreate for Windows: Can You Use Procreate on a PC?.
How Should You Compare Online Art Supply Stores?
The cheapest listed price shouldn't be your only consideration.
Before ordering, compare these seven factors:
1. Product Selection
Does the store specialize in your medium?
2. Student vs Artist Grade
Check actual product lines, not just brand names.
3. Shipping Cost
Compare final cart totals.
4. Oversized Shipping
Canvas, easels and furniture may cost more to ship.
5. Availability
Consistency matters for professional work.
6. Returns and Damage Policies
Important for fragile or expensive items.
7. Educational Information
Guides and demos can help you choose better materials.
Is It Better to Buy Art Supplies Online or In Person?
Online is best for selection and comparison shopping. In-person is best for tactile evaluation.
Use both when possible.
Is Amazon a Good Place to Buy Art Supplies?
Amazon is useful for basic supplies, but specialist art stores offer deeper catalogs and better material guidance.
What's the Cheapest Online Art Supply Store?
There is no single cheapest store. Compare final cart totals across multiple retailers.
Are Professional Art Supplies Worth the Money?
Sometimes. They offer better performance and longevity, but beginners should invest strategically rather than upgrading everything at once.
What Should a Beginner Artist Buy First?
Start simple:
- Sketchbook
- Graphite pencils
- Eraser
- Sharpener
- Basic pen or marker
Expand only after you understand your medium.
Why Trust Specialist Art Supply Stores?
They offer deeper catalogs, better material categorization and more relevant expertise than general marketplaces.
Conclusion: What Is the Best Online Art Supply Store in 2026?
For most artists, Blick Art Materials is the best overall online art supply store in 2026.
But the best choice depends on your needs:
- Blick — best overall
- Jerry's — best for painters and deals
- Jackson's — best for specialist materials
- Artist & Craftsman — best alternative art-focused store
- Michaels — best for convenience
- Utrecht — best for Utrecht paints
The smartest approach is to compare stores based on selection, quality, shipping and final cost, not just price alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best online art supply store?
Blick Art Materials is the best overall choice for most artists.
Where do professional artists buy their art supplies?
From specialist retailers like Blick, Jerry's Artarama and Jackson's Art.
What is the best online art supply store for beginners?
Blick or Michaels, depending on budget and needs.
What is the best online art supply store for painters?
Jerry's Artarama, Blick and Jackson's Art.
What is the best place to buy drawing supplies online?
Blick offers the most complete drawing catalog.
Is it cheaper to buy art supplies online?
Sometimes, but always compare final checkout totals.
Should beginners buy professional art supplies?
Not necessarily—start simple and upgrade gradually.
Is Amazon good for artists?
Good for basics, but not always best for professional materials.
Where can I buy specialty art supplies online?
Jackson's Art, Blick and Jerry's Artarama.
How do I choose an online art supply store?
Compare selection, quality, shipping, availability and total cost.