Austin has more working artists per capita than almost any city its size — and they don't all buy from the same place. Here's where locals actually shop for paint, canvas, paper, and framing supplies, what each store does best, and the handful of things that are genuinely cheaper to order online.
Key Takeaways
- For serious paint, canvas, and pro brands, the dedicated art-supply stores beat the craft chains on selection and staff knowledge
- The craft chains (Michaels, Hobby Lobby) win on convenience, coupons, and ready-made frames — not pro materials
- Bulk staples (student-grade acrylics, basic brushes, canvas multipacks) are usually cheaper online than anywhere in town
- Call ahead for big-ticket items — store stock varies, and the specialty brands sell through fast
4Store Types
Pro→HobbyEvery Budget
Local + OnlineBest of Both
2026Updated
The Quick Answer
If you want the short version: go to a dedicated art-supply store (Jerry's Artarama, Blick Art Materials, or Asel Art Supply) for real paint, canvas, and pro-grade materials where the staff actually paint. Hit a craft chain (Michaels, Hobby Lobby) for ready-made frames, last-minute basics, and coupon deals. And order online for the bulk staples you go through fastest.
Dedicated Art-Supply Stores (For Serious Materials)
This is where you go when you care about lightfastness ratings, pigment load, and paper weight — not just "blue paint."
Jerry's Artarama — Find it on Maps →
A national art-supply chain with deep stock of professional brands, canvas by the roll, and frequent in-store sales. Strong for painters who want artist-grade acrylics and oils without ordering online and waiting.
Blick Art Materials — Find it on Maps →
Blick (you'll also see it as Dick Blick) is the workhorse of American art supply. The Austin store carries a broad range across painting, drawing, printmaking, and paper, and the brand's online catalog at blick.com is one of the most complete anywhere if your store is out of something.
Asel Art Supply — Find it on Maps →
A Texas-rooted art-supply store that locals have leaned on for years. Good for a curated, no-nonsense selection and staff who can point you to the right product instead of the most expensive one.
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Local tip: the specialty items — a specific Golden medium, a particular Arches paper weight, an odd canvas size — sell through quickly. Call the store before you drive across town for one thing.
Craft Chains (For Convenience & Frames)
Michaels and Hobby Lobby have multiple Austin-area locations and are open late. They are not the place for professional pigments — but they're unbeatable for a few jobs:
- Ready-made and custom frames — both run framing counters and constant frame sales. (Pair this with our Art Framing Masterclass before you commit.)
- Last-minute basics — a stretched canvas, a glue gun, a foam board the night before a show.
- Coupons — the apps routinely knock 40–50% off a single item. For one big-ticket buy, that can beat the dedicated stores.
| Need |
Best Stop |
Why |
| Artist-grade paint & canvas |
Dedicated art store |
Selection, pigment quality, staff who paint |
| Custom or ready-made frames |
Craft chain counter |
Volume, sales, fast turnaround |
| Bulk student-grade staples |
Online |
Lowest per-unit price, delivered |
| One specialty item today |
Call first |
Stock varies fast |
What's Actually Cheaper Online
Some things just aren't worth the drive. The materials you burn through — student-grade acrylic sets, basic synthetic brush packs, canvas multipacks, sketchbooks — are consistently cheaper ordered in bulk than bought one at a time in store. We keep tested, current picks here:
The rule of thumb: buy the things you touch and judge by hand (good brushes, the one canvas for a commission, archival paper) in person; order the things you consume by the case online.
How to Shop Smart in Austin
- Match the store to the job. Pro materials → dedicated store. Frames and convenience → craft chain. Consumables → online.
- Stack the craft-chain coupons for any single big purchase before paying full price anywhere.
- Build a relationship at one dedicated store. Staff who know what you make will flag sales, hold stock, and steer you off products that won't last.
- Don't pay shipping on heavy, cheap items (water, mediums, large canvas) — that's exactly what the local store is for.
Whether you're outfitting a first home studio or restocking for a gallery show, Austin has every tier covered — you just have to send each purchase to the right place.
Whether you're outfitting a first home studio or restocking for a gallery show, Austin has every tier covered — you just have to send each purchase to the right place.
Putting the supplies to work? See how to buy art in Austin as a beginner and our guide to adult art classes and workshops around town.
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