Discuss: How Do you Save On Art Supplies?

To begin the conversation... using Windsor and Newton oil primer (comes in a can) makes an excellent painting surface whether it's applied to high grade cotton canvas, or unprimed linen.

Another way I've made a great surface is buy mixing Lead White Paint (in a tube) with Liquin or Walnut Alkyd medium and applying it onto gesso-board, over cotton canvas, or linen canvas.. works like the highest grade lead primed canvas... for far fewer dollars.

I also use acrylic gesso to reprime my 300 lb watercolor paper. Glue the paper to a panel and then paint with acrylic or oil on the paper panel. When a watercolor painting goes "bad" I gesso over the painting and use it just like canvas.

Lastly, I fix my watercolor paintings with a clear spray varnish, and then brush on a gloss UV protective varnish when the spray is dry. The watercolor paper is glued to a panel (by me - using acrylic matte medium)... and I frame it just like an oil. The acrylic varnish protects the watercolor painting - can even be wiped off with a damp rag. The color remains super vibrant, and there is no glass or matting to mess with (so it's less expensive). My collectors have raved about this process since without glass, there are no reflections. Some I've sold over 10 years ago remain in perfect condition without fading.

Lori -- Great idea! :)

I try to use a very limited palette and buy very large tubes for use in the studio. I buy almost all supplies online...frames, panels, easels, etc. I try to only order when items are on sale and order is large enough to get free shipping. Linen oil primed panels are inexpensive from ASW Express...their brand...Centurion DLX supposed to be archival.
Hope this helps

I signed up for Michael's emails. Nearly every week, they have a 40 percent or 50 percent coupon good for one item. The same coupon can be reprinted and reused multiple times during that week. So, if I just need a few things, I will use those coupons. If I have a larger order, I order from ASW Express - http://www.aswexpress.com.

Love your ideas Lori!
I save on shipping supplies by making my own packaging. I have used my system to ship all over the world and have never had an item arrive damaged and....I have found ways to keep the cost way down. For instance I use boxes from the recycle bins behind local stores. Pier one is a good choice because they have big boxes. I also use the bags that my canvas comes in from the store and I never buy bubble wrap. I don't even use bubble wrap, instead I use inexpensive sheets of foam insulation board.
I won't explain the whole process here, but if I can do it, anyone can. I wrote a blog post with images to show how it's done and you can find it here:
http://lauradenhertog.com/dataviewer.asp?keyvalue=10919andpage=BlogandTopic=Shipping percent20Art
I love saving money where I can and I think this is a great topic. Looking forward to hearing everyone's ideas.
Cheers,
Laura

I get masonite from our local Home Depot and Orchard Supply..my husband cuts them into various sizes for me then I gesso them. I've also used 300lb. Saunders watercolor paper with gesso as my "canvas" for oils..works great!

Framing has always been my biggest expense. Plus last year I started doing a few art fairs each year, so I needed to find frames that fit my work, but weren't quite as delicate as some of the gold plein air frames on the market these days. I found a company right in Elkhart County, Indiana, where I live! They produce the house and picture frame moldings in their factory and they have an outlet store with a staff that is wonderful to deal with!! They bend over backwards to help artists out also! I am getting ready for a large solo show where I will need about 30 some pieces framed. After talking with the company this spring, they let me know when a great summer sale was happening and then allowed me to purchase 3 boxes of the molding stock and store them in their factory. I just email them the sizes I need as I need them, they make them up (at a greatly reduced price compared to most companies) and I pick up the finished frames! I am so pleased to be getting quality quarter sawn oak craftsman style frames at a fraction of the cost that I was paying for frames elsewhere. The name of the company is: Nickell Moulding. Many other artists have started using them. They don't currently have the gold traditional style plein air frames, but I am talking to them about that...so maybe they will soon.

Pintura panels from jerry's or ASW are more rigid than the Centurian. They are canvas (not linen and gessoed not oil primed) on board and they come 2 in a pack.
Another surface to try is mat board (museum is best). Prepare with 2-3 coats of matte medium on front and one on back. You can then paint with oils. You may find a frame shop willing to give you their leftover pieces at no charge.

100 percent cotton rag watercolor paper and mat board will hold up forever. Any substrate made with wood pulp fibers, even if they are buffered and labeled "acid free" will eventually destroy the painting. Inexpensive cotton canvas (thin) tears easily and should be avoided unless it is glued to a panel.

I've recently gessoed cotton rag mat board. I cut two pieces, same size, and glued one to each side of foam core. This works well for small paintings, but the larger ones warp easily. They are super light and easy to transport... And will last hundreds of years if the Matt board is cotton rag.

It's interesting that Hudson River School artists did plain air studies in artist's board.. Or cardboard. I don't believe that these are acid free, and yet they have held up very well. Most were painted in the mid to late 1800s.

Sorry if I'm preaching to the choir. It's hard to know who knows what online, but figured I'd share anyway.

Charlie Hunter buys Gator board in bulk and glues canvas to it. Gator board is super stiff foam board - light weight . New Traditions makes panels from 1/8 and 1/4 inch gator board with linen or cotton glued to the panel, and these don't warp.

I've been buying Centurion acrylic primed linen in a roll... Very reasonable, bit I usually add an additional layer of acrylic or oil primer to it in order to make it a bit less absorbent.

I used to buy lead double primed linen from a couple of manufacturers, but at $55 to $75 per yard, it wouldn't allow me to make much profit at my current prices.

A friend of mine used to have Hime Depot cut her MDI board (similar to Masonite) into panels and just pay for the cuts. They have a huge saw that can cut a few dozen in a matter of minutes. She then sided a foam roller to apply several layers of acrylic gesso to the panels. She paints in oil on these.

Hey everyone. I'm really getting a lot of ideas from the comments. Thanks so much for contributing!

great ideas and comments, thank you Lori for starting this..

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned... but what about trading spare supplies for spare supplies. For example, say you have a half a tube of paint that you will likely not use -- chances are another artist would be willing to trade something you can use for it. Just a thought.

I've seen a lot of waste over the years... I remember an artist discovering a paint set that he tucked away years ago while I was visiting his studio. Trading might be a good way to go.

Adriana -- I suggest making a page for that purpose on Facebook... or use another social networking site for it... or blog. Let local artists know about it. I've seen locally focused 'buy, sell, trade' type groups on Facebook and other sites.... the same could be done with art supplies in mind. Just a thought.