Alan ‘Bo’ BorensteinThe 5 Best Art Supply Stores in Vancouver
Art supplies are essential to any artist’s kit. Whether you’re just starting out or working on a large-scale project, finding the right brushes and tape will ensure that your projects come out exactly as intended.
Keep reading as we list some of Vancouver’s best art supply stores.
How Much Do Art Supplies Cost in Vancouver
The amount of money you’ll need for art supplies is determined by the type and quantity of art materials you require. Some people only require acrylic paints and paint brushes, whereas others may require many art supplies.
Painting supplies should not cost more than CAD 240 in general. However, purchasing art supplies for school can cost up to CAD 1,300.
In the table below, we’ve listed some of the most common types of products and their average estimated cost.
Best Art Supply Stores in Vancouver
Art supplies are not only for artists. They can be used by anyone who likes to draw and paint.
The demand for art supplies is always high, and many different stores offer a wide variety of items, making it difficult for consumers to decide where to buy from.
We’ve assessed the following art supply stores based on the criteria below:
1. KROMA
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Inventory | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Operating Hours | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| • Staff Feedback | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| • Rates | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety of Art Materials | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Since 1970, KROMA has been manufacturing acrylic paints in Vancouver. We immediately found it impressive that they create and package all their products at their own workshop on Granville Island.
Furthermore, to ensure the quality of each product, we like that KROMA only produces handmade paint in small batches. They use only 100% acrylic resin and light-fast pigments, with no fillers or extenders.
Customers can order tubs of acrylic paint, or for those who need numerous color options, they also sell group sets. You can score their all-color set, which costs around CAD 433 to CAD 1,034.
They also accept custom paint work for those who have a specific color in mind or those who need custom blends for large projects.
Aside from acrylic paint, KROMA also sells ArtGraf drawing tools such as Graphite drawing pencils, sticks, and tailor chalks of varying colors.
We were also impressed by their extensive selection of paint brushes perfect for beginners and skilled painters.
Now, we find it convenient that their products can be ordered through their website, by phone, or through a visit to the Granville Island workshop.
That said, we were slightly disappointed that they’re only open five days a week as we thought it limits their availability. Even so, we still believe KROMA is one of Vancouver’s best art supply stores.
They provide plenty of high-quality paint, whether you need acrylic, acrylic gesso, dry pigment, and many more.
Pros
- Can accommodate custom paint work
- Uses 100% acrylic resin, and light fast pigments
- Wide variety of paint colors
- Manufactures their own products
Cons
- Closed on Sundays and Mondays
- Limited variety of art materials
Customer Reviews
Wide range of paint colors and acrylics
“been using Kroma’s acrylics ever since I began painting over ten years ago. i love the wide range of colour available, and their acrylic mediums are also great. everything is also very well priced! you MUST try their paints- freshly made acrylics just perform so much better than mass produced ones sold through other art supply stores.” -An W.
Friendly and knowledgeable staff
“Brook was very courteous, friendly and knowledgabe in helping me over the phone (there were a couple of phone calls back and forth as she needed to attend to others in the store) to decide on which set of Kroma paints and brushes to start with for my Colour and Design course at VCAD. They were carefully wrapped and packaged (as they needed to be shipped to me). I look forward to shopping in person next time. Thank you!.” -Cindy C.
2. Opus Art Supplies
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Inventory | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| •Operating Hours | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| • Staff Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Rates | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety of Art Materials | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
David van Berckel founded Opus Art Supplies, which began as a picture frame manufacturing company. Since then, the company has grown to offer a diverse range of art materials in Vancouver.
This establishment has over nine locations across Canada, and they’re open seven days a week to accommodate customers.
We believe Opus is an artists’ haven because they provide almost all materials an artist requires, from acrylics to oil paintings to watercolors.
We also saw they have plenty of painting, drawing, drafting, and studio tools. Opus has a wide selection of clay materials and sculpting tools as well, that we think are useful for artists and art students.
We also thought it was impressive that Opus can accommodate printing jobs such as screen printing, block printing, etching intaglio, and many more.
Another thing that caught our attention is that they accept orders for custom-made stretched canvases. You have to tell them what size you want, and they’ll do the rest.
On the other hand, if you prefer to use your own material, Opus can also accommodate orders for base stretcher frames only.
Now, we’re not big fans of the fact that they have a relatively slow delivery time. Nevertheless, we liked that they provide free shipping on orders over CAD 250.
Despite that, we still think Opus Art Supplies is one of Vancouver’s best art supply stores, providing almost any art material an artist needs.
Pros
- Over nine locations
- Can accommodate printing jobs
- Wide selection of clay and sculpting tools
- Offers custom-made stretched canvas
- Free shipping on orders CAD 250
Cons
- Can only ship within Canada
- Relatively slow delivery time
Customer Reviews
Wide selection of art products
“Multiple staff members were tremendously helpful in guiding me through my first (very small) print job, putting in extra effort to make sure that the print turned out well. Their selection of art products is great and the store has a nice and friendly feel.” -Emily J.
Organized art supply store
“This place has an amazing range of art supplies, super friendly and helpful staff and a very well organized shop. They now have a wide array of Caran d’Ache pencils, art tools and crayons and a good assortment of calligraphy and fountain pens. Also, a good place to find Faber Castell, Golden (acrylics), and Staedtler products.” -Alina K.
3. DeSerres
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Quality | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Inventory | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Operating Hours | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| • Staff Feedback | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| • Rates | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety of Art Materials | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
DeSerres is an established art supply store in Vancouver that has been in business since 1908.
This shop sells a wide range of painting and drawing supplies, canvases and paper, tools, and even fine arts books on various painting techniques, calligraphy, and manga illustrations.
What we liked best about this establishment is that it provides art materials for both students and artists. In our opinion, this allows them to accommodate a large customer base.
They also sell products for knitting, papercrafts, stickers, and many more. In our opinion, this makes them a one-stop art shop.
Aside from that, they also have a wide selection of decorating items, products for jewelry-making, stationery, books, and framing services.
Unfortunately, they may not have enough products available if you have a large order. If this occurs, you will receive an email from their customer service department explaining the reason for the delay.
Furthermore, many of the customers we’ve spoken with have commented on how high-quality and affordable their art materials are, which has led to their loyalty.
If you’re looking for a reliable art supply store, we definitely recommend DeSerres. Their shop is at 2811 Grandview Highway, so make sure to visit them there.
Pros
- 10% off for students
- Transparent pricing
- Provides online and in-store classes
- Sells products for creative hobbies
Cons
- Limited inventory
- Phone orders are not accepted
Customer Reviews
Affordable art supplies
“I really luv this store. Has all the supplies I need at an affordable cost and the staff are very knowledgeable! The free shipping to store is great as well!.” -Connie S.
Great selection of art supplies
“Art supplies mostly for paint and canvas. Great selection of different types of ravens burgers quality puzzles and random books.” -Lusia C.
4. Rath Art Supplies
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Inventory | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Operating Hours | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Staff Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Rates | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety of Art Materials | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Rath Art Supplies is a quaint art supply store located at 2412 Main Street, and they’re open seven days a week to accommodate more customers.
Stanley Rathbun founded Rath Art Supplies in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1988, and the family relocated to Vancouver when his son found work here.
We found it interesting that Stanley himself curated the selection of fine art materials, including some of the world’s best oil paints, to ensure their business stands out from the crowd.
We appreciate that they have a wide selection of oil and acrylic paint, as we think this gives customers more choices. Aside from that, they also have oil bars, watercolors, gouache, pigments, and many more.
It’s also worth noting that Rath Art Supplies can take custom canvas and wood panel orders.
We found it impressive that they have highly skilled carpenters with substantial experience with fine-finished carpentry, as we believe this contributes to their products’ high quality and durability.
Furthermore, we appreciate that they have an extensive work portfolio on their website, as we believe this gives clients a glimpse of their work.
That said, we thought it was a huge miss that they only ship within Canada. We only wish they could also accommodate orders overseas.
Despite this, we believe Rath Art Supplies is one of Vancouver’s best art supply stores for high-quality art materials.
Pros
- Open seven days a week
- Years in service
- Carefully curated selection of art materials
- Wide selection of oil and acrylic paint
- Extensive work portfolio
Cons
- Only has one office location
- Only ships within Canada
Customer Reviews
High-quality oil paints and mediums
“They have a way better selection of professional quality. Oil paint and mediums than any other art supply store in town that I know of. They also have great service and knowledgeable staff.” -Michale S.
Carries almost all art supplies
“Super helpful and very kind staff. They were very knowledgeable and answered all my questions. They carry most art supplies and will offer good alternative options if they don’t have the exact thing you are looking for.” -Ryan D.
5. Urban Source
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Inventory | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| • Operating Hours | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| • Staff Feedback | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| • Rates | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety of Art Materials | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
For over 27 years, Urban Source has been offering a wide range of art materials.
Perhaps what separates Urban Source from other art supply stores is that they sell reclaimed materials. These products are collected from local businesses perfect for arts and crafts.
These include assorted paper shapes, upholstery fabric, paper cups, wood shapes, and many more. We appreciate that they do this because it reduces waste by reusing materials to create art.
Their store is on Main Street, and they have over 100 bins set up at a child-friendly height. This, in our opinion, allows children to explore and select the material they want.
We believe that their art materials are perfect for prop making, collage art, sewing projects, party decorations, and many more. This is because they provide diverse art materials ideal for all kinds of projects.
In fact, most customers we spoke with said they’ve been going to Urban Source for their art material needs for a long time because, despite its small size, the store is stocked with a wide variety of materials.
Overall, we believe that Urban Source is one of the best art supply stores in Vancouver as they provide a unique art shopping experience.
Pros
- Open seven days a week
- Sells reclaimed materials
- Over 100 bins in their store
- Diverse collection of art materials
Cons
- Small store space
- Limited selection of paint options
Customer Reviews
Good quality and selection of art materials
“Such a cute craft shop! Staff is really nice and products are good quality and the selection is great for good prices. The store concept is super fun ;).” -Valerie B.
Rare finds
“So many odds and ends and treasures in this small space. There is usually a short wait to get in, but they have cute things to browse outside too. If you have any little ones at home, this shop is a must for fun rainy day activities.” -Nathalie J.
FAQs about Art Supply Stores in Vancouver
Now that you know where to buy art supplies in the city, you can finally go to an art supply store and find the materials you need to create your masterpiece.
If you ever find yourself lacking inspiration, we highly suggest you check out our article on the best art galleries in Vancouver.
