art journal page

As you can probably tell from the photo I posted last week of my shelf full of hardboard panels, I buy my art supplies in bulk. There are several reasons I do that, mostly because it makes the most sense for me. 

I don’t have a local art supply store nearby, so I buy everything online at Dick Blick’s or Jerry’s. The closest Blick store is about 3 to 3.5 hours away, depending on traffic. I’d have to sacrifice an entire work day to go there and back. 

Reasons I buy in bulk..

1. if I spend a certain amount it usually qualifies for free shipping. I haven’t had to pay for shipping in years. 

2. art supply stores encourage buying in bulk by offering greater discounts the more you buy

3. I paint almost every day. Buying one canvas at a time wouldn’t make sense. 

4. It stinks to run out of something I need, especially if I’m in the middle of a project, and have to stop. If I open the last tube of blue paint, I put two more in my shopping cart at Blick’s. My shopping cart serves as my shopping list, and I keep adding to it until I’m ready to order. 

5. I never know when I’m going to get a request for a custom order, and I might have to whip up 20 to 50 paintings for a wedding or a brick and mortar shop. One gigantic painting can wipe out my entire supply of paint, so I like to keep my shelves stocked. Also, if I already have supplies on hand, I can begin working as soon as I sign the contract.