Walk into any Art Studio and the wonderful smell of paint will hit you (and further evidence is likely to be all over the floor, walls and ceiling too). And have you ever wondered what's in those large portfolios you see them carrying round? Those great big portfolios you see them walking round with. And we must not forget that the contemporary artists plying their trade in the galleries and exhibitions the world over will have honed their techniques using the same Paint Brushes, paints, chisels and kilns as their more famous forebears.
So when starting to learn the basic techniques in art, design or crafts, a useful thing to do is to find an art supplier that can be of help. And if their prices are competitive, well, it certainly won't cost you dearly either! Shopping via the internet is now a convenient method of getting supplies, with most good retailers large and small getting in on the e-commerce act. In addition to having the opportunity to compare prices and seek out new products, You Can join mailing lists to be alerted to special offers and stock clearance sales. It's easy to dismiss these emails as junk, but all outlets need to keep their stock levels manageable and if they have over-ordered or if they're clearing space for Christmas or the new university term, you can get some genuine bargains. Also, you might be offered a material you've not heard of previously, perhaps because of cost, and find out that it's a life-changing product that inspires you to do great things.
If your specialism requires certain materials, then a good supplier is worth a lot. While all art suppliers will sell the basics - paint, paper, brushes and canvas - once you start to find your personal direction, you might find it more of a challenge to find your materials. Indeed, the local art outlet might not even be the place to look. There are plenty of artists who are more at home in a DIY superstore, a builder's supplier, an electronic components retailer, a scrap yard or an unmade bed shop than in their local art shop. We can never expect an art shop to stock every possible item to satisfy your future art material requirements, so it makes sense to pull together a range of retailers so you'll have a range of options when you have your eureka moments.
We never know when we are going to get bitten by the art bug. Some of us are born with that insatiable urge, some gradually develop it through early adulthood and others only realise they have the desire when they reach retirement. But in tandem with a quality local art shop and a mind full of inspiration, your creative life can be rewarding, exciting and perhaps a useful way of earning some money.
Callum sees many artists using a traditional set of Art Supplies for their work, while those who experiment with new materials can either achieve originality or sometimes disappointing failures. Materials can add new angles but creativity and skill is still required.