Thinking of buying art supplies online? Don’t let these common mistakes ruin your creativity!

It is 2025, and shopping for art supplies online has never been easier. You can easily access thousands of painting-kits and supplies online with only a few clicks. However, that kind of ease also leaves you overwhelmed with so many options to choose from. If you have just begun with your creative pursuits, you will simply love to stock up on essentials from the web, and enjoy an affordable purchase. However, it is important that you avoid these top 5 mistakes as a beginner while buying art supplies on the web. 

1. Not knowing what you actually need

You might feel overwhelmed in the beginning, but remember – there is no need to order art supplies with a full set. Whether it comes to oils, pastels or water-colors — you might find it overwhelming and expensive to make the purchase. As a new artist, you have to take a decision on which medium you would like to explore. You should buy specific items that are related to that craft.

If you want to paint with watercolors, you do not need too heavy canvas boards or paints. You can find it enough to go for a basic watercolor paint set, proper watercolor paper and a few good brushes. If you feel that you need some help, you can ask a friend or co-worker or some other person with a knack for painting, and get guidance on the kind of supplies that you can start with. 

2. Going for the cheapest option

You will definitely like to save money, but that should not come at the cost of the quality of your painting supplies. Going for the cheapest options can often mean inferior work. With low-quality paints, there may be a lack of pigmentation. The paper might bleed or warp too much and the brushes may shed hairs. Do not go for cheaper, inferior options as the quality of the final outcome will leave question marks on your talent, especially when you are a beginner. For the best quality work, you generally need the best art supplies.

However, you need not splurge a lot either. Look for brands that strike a proper balance between quality and affordability.

3. Ignoring product descriptions and reviews

Go through product reviews, watch comparison videos and read product descriptions carefully. Otherwise, you will end up making a big mistake that rookies often end up doing. You have to check whether you are going for student-grade or professional-grade paper, professional paint brush set or natural bristles and real canvas, or just canvas-textured paper. Also, always pay attention to the product details — especially the size, grade, and material type.

4. Not knowing about the return policies and shipping costs

When it comes to online art supply stores, you are likely to come across varied policies regarding shipping fees, exchanges, returns etc. Some of these stores may not accept returns on opened supplies, such as markers or paint. Others may charge you hefty fees on restocking or return shipping. If you get a damaged product or an item that does not match your expectations, you can save on frustration if you know about the return policy in advance. 

5. Do not buy too much, too soon

If you are too excited about starting with your new hobby, you might end up overbuying. Often, beginners tend to buy more brushes, paint colors and accessories than they are able to use in actuality. Avoid this mistake. It will drain your money, crowd your working space and leave you confused. 

Start with only a few basic tools and learn how to use them effectively. You can build more skill and confidence with a single brush or a limited palette than you may imagine. As you get more confident and skilled, you can always scale up your collection and add to your art supplies. Begin with bare minimum supplies and add more to your collection as per your needs. 

Here is what you need to read also: From Spare Room to Studio: Budget-Friendly Art Space Ideas

Bottom Line

Before you go on to buy painting kits online, devote enough time to research, go through reviews, check out product descriptions and look for credible brands to purchase from. With proper planning, you can easily find the kind of tools that support your journey as a painter and inspire your creative skills.