7 Smart Ways to Save Money on Art Supplies (Without Compromising Your Art)

Let’s face it: art supplies aren’t cheap—and if you’re anything like me, it’s easy to get swept up in trying the latest tools, paints, and materials. But over the years, I’ve found some very real (and very practical) ways to save money on art supplies without cutting corners creatively.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at this a while, here are seven of my go-to strategies for stretching your art budget and still producing work you’re proud of.

1. Use White Gesso Instead of White Paint

This is a trick I use all the time. White gesso is much cheaper than white acrylic paint, and in many situations—underpainting, mixing, layering—it works just as well. Just be sure you're using a quality gesso with enough pigment. Bonus: it adds a nice matte texture, which I happen to love.

2. Reuse Old Paintings and Canvases

We all have them—paintings that just didn’t work out. Don’t toss them! I paint over failed canvases or cut them down into smaller works. Some even become the foundation for collage pieces. It’s not only budget-friendly, it’s creatively liberating.

3. Buy in Bulk or Share with a Friend

Buying larger sizes of mediums, gesso, or canvas can make a big difference over time. If you're not ready to commit to a huge tub of gloss medium, consider teaming up with another artist and splitting the cost. Just be sure you’re buying things you’ll actually use before they expire.

4. Standardize Sizes When You Can

Custom framing adds up fast. Sticking with a few standard sizes lets you buy frames and packaging materials in bulk. If you're showing work at an exhibition, having uniform sizes not only saves money—it also creates a clean, cohesive look that buyers appreciate.

5. Specialize—at Least a Little

I love trying new materials, but chasing every new medium can get expensive fast. Over time, I’ve found that narrowing my focus—like sticking mostly to acrylics and mixed media—helps me use up what I already have, build skill faster, and avoid those “what was I thinking?” impulse buys.

6. Get Creative with Texture

You don’t need to spend a fortune on modeling pastes. I often make my own with gesso and baking soda or use hardware-store joint compound. It gives me that sculptural surface I love at a fraction of the cost. Plus, experimenting with DIY materials can lead to some wonderful surprises.

7. Reuse Everything You Can

Old brushes? Good for drybrush texture. Leftover paint? Smear it onto paper scraps for future collage work. Even bubble wrap from shipments becomes texture tools in my studio. I've turned old containers into brush holders and turned packaging paper into painting surfaces. Reuse, repurpose, recycle—your wallet (and the planet) will thank you.

Final Thought

Making art is already a powerful investment of your time and spirit. It doesn't have to break the bank, too. The more we can find ways to stretch our supplies and still create meaningful work, the more we free ourselves to focus on what really matters: the joy of making.