Art Supplies
Whether you're picking up a brush for the very first time or restocking a working studio, you'll find what you need here. Our art supplies range covers everything from acrylics, oils and watercolours to canvas, sketchbooks, pencils, pastels and easels - all from brands we've trusted for decades. Browse by category below, or filter by brand and price to find your next favourite.
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Everything for your practice, in one place
For over 40 years, Riot Art & Craft has been helping Australians make things. That's a long time to learn what artists actually need — and it's why our art supplies range is built around real practice rather than shelf-filler. You'll find student-grade paints that let beginners experiment without worrying about cost, alongside artist-quality pigments, brushes and surfaces for work that needs to last.
Our range spans four core areas. Painting covers acrylics, oils, watercolours and gouache, plus the brushes, mediums, palettes and gesso that go with them. Drawing & sketching brings together graphite, charcoal, coloured pencils, pastels, inks, fineliners and calligraphy tools. Art surfaces includes stretched canvas, painting panels, pads, visual diaries and journals in a wide spread of weights and textures. And easels & studio takes care of the practical side — easels, portfolios, folios and storage that keep a workspace functional.
Brands we stock
We carry the biggest names in Australian art supply alongside our own well-loved house brands. Look for The Art Studio, Eraldo di Paolo, Art Culture, Tim & Tess and Artstar across the range, plus specialist brands for artists who want a specific finish, pigment load or handling quality. Because we buy directly and in volume, we're able to keep prices sharp on the materials people go through fastest — paint, paper and brushes.
New to art? Start here
You need less than you think. A small set of paints in your chosen medium, two or three brushes in different shapes, a surface to work on, a palette and something to hold water will get you painting the same afternoon. For drawing, a graphite pencil set, a kneadable eraser and a decent sketchpad is a complete starting kit. Build from there as you work out what you actually reach for — that's a far better guide than any shopping list.
Shopping with us
Browse by category or use the filters to narrow by brand, price or product type. Add what you need to your cart and check out with card or Afterpay. We ship Australia-wide, and we're adding new products regularly — so it's worth checking back.
FAQs
What art supplies do I need to start painting? Paint in your chosen medium (acrylic is the most forgiving for beginners), two or three brushes in different shapes and sizes, a painting surface such as canvas or a painting pad, a palette, a water jar and some paper towel. A starter set bundles most of this together and is usually the cheapest way in.
What's the difference between student and artist quality paint? Artist-quality paints carry a higher pigment load and more lightfast pigments, so colours stay strong and mix more cleanly, and they resist fading over time. Student-quality paints use more filler and cost less, which makes them ideal for learning, practice and large blocks of colour. Many artists use both.
Do you stock supplies for kids and schools? Yes. We carry washable paints, crayons, markers, kids' canvas and craft kits, plus classroom-friendly brands like Teachers Choice in bulk-friendly sizes.