Materials!

Now this only really applies if you're interested in doing some art yourself or you know someone that's into art and you want to buy them something!
I was pretty privileged that my grandparents bought me some of my first art supplies when i was about 7 or 8. That included an easel that i still use today. Then in school we quite often would have used the schools supplies. I feel very fortunate that i got some basic materials at a young age.
But, you ask, where can I get my hands on some materials????
Well there's 2 answers.
If your literally just starting out, have no idea whether you can paint, and don't know whether you want to paint with watercolours, acrylics or oils? Or just generally want to have a go, then i say stick with the cheap stuff! I still have some emergency canvas's from the pound shop for when i get a wacky idea and i really don't think it's going to work but need to paint it to get it out of my head!
So yup, the pound shop is great! Keep your eyes peeled for cheap canvas's in particular. Also Ebay! Now beware, some people try to make a bucket out of selling art supplies! So go with the lesser known brands and cheap and cheerful if your literally just wanting to mess about with Art.
Now for my second answer, If you know you've got talent, know you want to paint with a certain medium and just want to get going then head to DUNELM MILL!!!
Seriously this place has been so good to me over the last 6 months. Now lets face it, Art supplies ARE expensive. But if you can save money then you might as well! Dunelm Mill provide Daler Rowney Paints, paint brushes and Canvas's and although it is on the dear side you will soon learn they are the cheapest, good quality products. So it all depends on what you want but that's my recommendations.
Do you have any secret suppliers? Do share!!!

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