Frederic C. Kaplan 
PictureMaker
51 Long Lane
Upper Darby, PA 19082
ph: 610-734-1231
kaplanpi
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MATERIAL ADVICE
For detailed information about materials for specific media,
such as prices, quality, brand recommendations, and use,
select a category such as drawing, oil painting, acrylic painting, or watercolor
from the sub-menu above.
ABOUT SHOPPING
How much Should I pay?
Nearly everything artists use can be obtained on sale, with a coupon, or at a discount. Many shops give a price reduction when presented with a student I.D. Many stores now issue shopping cards at no charge upon application. Besides in-store price reductions, a discount card also brings money-saving coupons by postal mail and email. Given all this, there is rarely any reason to pay the full "retail" price.
Who Has The Best Prices?
For comparison purposes, the cost of filling a shopping cart with a selection of products purchased from several art supply retailers is provided below. Prices are as of Septembeer 2010, and are based on the retailers' regular prices (not sale prices). For more information about sources for art materials as well as links to retailers' web sites, refer the the sections at right.
- Art Supply Warehouse
(shopping cart = $306.15)
Oil painter's basket = $97.39
Acrylic painter's basket = $77.62
Watercolor painter's basket = $103.54
Drawing supply basket = $27.60 - Artist & Craftsman Supply
(shopping cart = $361.41)
Oil painter's basket = $138.27
Acrylic painter's basket = $89.58
Watercolor painter's basket = $103.44
Drawing supply basket = $30.12 - Cheap Joe's Art Stuff
(shopping cart = $338.74)
Oil painter's basket = $130.87
Acrylic painter's basket = $73.02
Watercolor painter's basket = $104.16
Drawing supply basket = $30.69 - Dick Blick Art Materials
(shopping cart = $286.96)
Oil painter's basket = $97.48
Acrylic painter's basket = $63.06
Watercolor painter's basket = $101.99
Drawing supply basket = $24.43 - Italian Art Supply
(shopping cart = $334.13,
does not include drawing supply basket)
Oil painter's basket = $136.30
Acrylic painter's basket = $86.85
Watercolor painter's basket = $110.98
Drawing supply basket = drawing supplies not offered - Merion Art & Repro Center
(shopping cart = $365.95)
Oil painter's basket = $111.55
Acrylic painter's basket = $84.23
Watercolor painter's basket = $133.30
Drawing supply basket = $36.87 - Pearl Art & Craft Supply
(shopping cart = $360.90)
Oil painter's basket = $125.04
Acrylic painter's basket = $82.52
Watercolor painter's basket = $120.96
Drawing supply basket = $32.38 - Utrecht Art Supplies
(shopping cart = $400.13)
Oil painter's basket = $138.91
Acrylic painter's basket = $89.89
Watercolor painter's basket = $139.93
Drawing supply basket = $31.40
What's in the shopping carts?
- Oil painter's basket:
assortment of basic colors in standard size tubes; selection of essential brushes; paint thinner; painting medium - Acrylic painter's basket:
assortment of basic colors in standard size tubes; selection of essential brushes; painting medium - Watercolor painter's basket:
assortment of basic colors in standard size tubes; selection of essential brushes - Drawing supply basket:
assortment of pencils; vine charcoal; compressed charcoal; kneaded eraser; chamois; fixative
WHERE TO SHOP LOCALLY
Following is a listing of major Philadelphia area art supply retailers. Underlined company names indicate the retailer maintains a web site which you can connect to by selecting the name.
Utrecht Art Supplies has two Philadelphia locations: 301 South Broad Street (215-546-7798), and 2020 Chestnut Street (215-563-5600). Prices are reasonable and the company markets its own paints, brushes, and excellent canvas. Shop at one of the company's stores, by catalog, or web.
Dick Blick Art Materials is at 1330 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia (215-545-3214). Prices at the Blick store,
catalog, and web-site are highly competitive.
Merion Art & Repro Center, 17 West Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore (610-896-6161) is a small retailer. While selection and service is good, prices are not discounted.
Artist & Craftsman Supply offers a good range of products, but there are significant gaps in the selection. The company has a Philadelphia store at 307 Market Street (267-861-6008), as well as a web presence.
Located at 15 East State Street in Media (610-566-6242 ), the Village Art Shop is a small-town retailer which provides personalized service.
Carrying a selection of major lines of artists' materials,
Rainbow Arts & Crafts also offers supplies for stained glass making. Located at 521 West Germantown Pike in Norristown (610-275-5110).
Wayne Art Supplies is located at 112 East Lancaster Avenue in Wayne (610-254-9011).
Allegeny Art Company offers a 20% discount on a range of fine art and craft supplies. Located in Jenkintown, AAC has a store at 318 Leedom Street (215-884-9242).
The Newtown location is at 22 South State Street
(215-579-1060).
Other local but limited resources include A.C. Moore,Michael's, and Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts. Discount coupons from these companies frequently appear in local newspapers.
WHERE TO SHOP VIA INTERNET
The best values are often by mail-order or via internet. Select an underlined name for a link to the company's web site.
For professional grade products, The Italian Art Store of Morristown, NJ offers some difficult to find brands and items. Phone: 800-643-6440.
Pearl Art & Craft Supply has an excellent selection of supplies for all artistic disciplines, with many items available at a healthy discount: 800-451-7327.
Cheap Joe's Art Stuff is a discounter: 800-227-2788.
Also try Art Supply Warehouse: 800-995-6778.
Natural Pigments LLC, based in California, offers rare and historical pigments through its Rublev line of paints. Among available colors are genuine indigo, lapis, azurite, orpiment, Naples yellow, and vermilion. The company also sells fine brushes, oils, and varnishes, as well as guilding and metalpoint materials. Phone 888-361-5900.
51 Long Lane
Upper Darby, PA 19082
ph: 610-734-1231
kaplanpi
