The best back-to-school art supplies in 2023

• Art supplies can be expensive, but you don’t have to spend a lot to get what you need to go back to school
• I have rounded up the best essential back-to-school art supplies that you can buy online.
• My list includes pencils, sketchbooks, erasers, watercolors, pastels, paint sets, sketchbooks, markers, and more.

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The next school year is right around the corner, and you or your kids may be wondering what school art supplies are a must-have for a student to explore their creativity. 

It doesn’t matter if you are just starting out, going off to college, or an experienced artist, you need good quality art supplies. I am not saying that you need to buy the most expensive supplies to create your masterpieces, but you can get materials that are good quality without breaking the bank.

Some time ago, I was an art student, and before I was an art student, I was simply that kid that would doodle and draw on the side of the page instead of taking notes. Through the years I’ve used my fair share of markers, pencils, sketchbooks, paints, and so many other art supplies, and just as I have experimented with different mediums and styles, I’ve also tried different brands – some still remain my favorite. I am sharing my favorite art supplies below.

Here are the best back-to-school art supplies you can buy:

Best graphite pencils

The Staedtler set of 12 graphite pencils is a great value for artists of all levels. The pencils come in a variety of hardnesses, so you can choose the perfect one for your project. The leads are smooth and easy to sharpen, and the pencils are comfortable to hold even for long periods of time. I highly recommend this set to anyone who loves to draw.

Here are some additional pros and cons of the Staedtler set of 12 graphite pencils:

Pros:

• Variety of hardnesses: This set includes pencils from 8B to 6H, so you can choose the perfect one for your project.
• Smooth leads: The leads are smooth and easy to write with, even when you’re applying a lot of pressure.
• Easy to sharpen: The pencils are easy to sharpen with a standard pencil sharpener.
• Comfortable to hold: The pencils have a hexagonal shape that makes them comfortable to hold even for long periods of time.
• Affordable: This set is a great value for the price.

Cons:

• The pencils are not waterproof.
• The leads can be fragile and break easily if you’re not careful.

Overall, I think the Staedtler set of 12 graphite pencils is a great option for artists of all levels. They’re affordable, well-made, and come in a variety of hardnesses to suit your needs. I highly recommend them!

Best charcoal set

Richeson Compressed Charcoal is a great choice for both final artwork and preliminary sketches. It is ideal for creating smooth, blended strokes, as well as for adding details and shading.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Richeson Compressed Charcoal:

Pros:

• Medium-soft grade: This makes it ideal for creating smooth, blended strokes, as well as for adding details and shading.
• Even coverage: The charcoal is made from a blend of materials that gives it a consistent texture, so you can be sure that your strokes will be even.
• Durable: The charcoal is compressed, so it’s less likely to break than regular charcoal.
• Affordable: Richeson Compressed Charcoal is a great value for the price.

Cons:

• Can be messy: Charcoal can be messy, so it’s important to use a fixative to keep your artwork from smudging.
• Not waterproof: Charcoal is not waterproof, so it’s not suitable for projects that will be exposed to water.
• Can be difficult to erase: Charcoal can be difficult to erase completely, so it’s important to be careful when using it.

Overall, Richeson Compressed Charcoal is a great choice for artists of all levels. It’s affordable, durable, and produces even coverage. I highly recommend it for both final artwork and preliminary sketches.

Here are some additional tips for using Richeson Compressed Charcoal:

• Use a fixative to keep your artwork from smudging.
• Start with a light touch and build up the intensity of your strokes as needed.
• Use a blending stump or tortillon to blend your strokes together.
• Erase carefully to avoid damaging the paper.
• Experiment with different techniques to see what you can create.

Best colored pencils

The Prismacolor Quality Art Set is a great choice for artists of all levels. It comes with 72 high-quality, soft lead pencils in beautiful, bright shades. The pencils are also easy to sharpen and blend, making them perfect for creating detailed and realistic drawings.

Here are some of the pros and cons of the Prismacolor Quality Art Set:

Pros:

• High-quality pencils: The pencils are made with soft lead that is rich in color. They are also easy to sharpen and blend.
• Wide variety of colors: The set includes 72 different colors, so you have plenty of options to choose from.
• Affordable: The set is a great value for the price.
• Includes sharpener and eraser: The set comes with a sharpener and a latex-free scholar eraser.

Cons:

• Not many.
• Not waterproof: Colored pencils are not waterproof, so they are not suitable for projects that will be exposed to water.

In general, the Prismacolor Quality Art Set is a great choice for artists of all levels and one of the best back-to-school art supplies. It is affordable, comes in a variety of colors, and includes a sharpener and eraser. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves to color.

Here are some additional tips for using Prismacolor colored pencils:

• Start with a light touch and build up the color as needed.
• Experiment with different techniques to see what you can create.

The best take-with-you-anywhere sketchbook

Stillman and Birn sketchbooks are a great choice for artists who want a high-quality sketchbook that can handle a variety of media. The paper is smooth with a slight tooth, making it ideal for pencil, pen, and ink. It also holds up well to water, so you can use it for watercolor and gouache painting. The sketchbooks are also well-made with a sturdy binding that allows the pages to lay flat, making them perfect for plein air sketching.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Stillman and Birn sketchbooks:

Pros:

• High-quality paper: The paper is smooth with a slight tooth, making it ideal for pencil, pen, and ink. It also holds up well to water, so you can use it for watercolor and gouache painting.
• Sturdy binding: The binding is sturdy and allows the pages to lay flat, making it perfect for plein air sketching.
• Variety of sizes and styles: Stillman and Birn offers a variety of sizes and styles of sketchbooks to choose from, so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
• Smaller sizes make it easy to take with you anywhere.

Cons:

• Pricey: Stillman and Birn sketchbooks are a bit more expensive than some other brands.
• Not many sheets: The sketchbooks don’t have a lot of sheets, so they may not be the best choice for long-term projects.

Overall, I think Stillman and Birn sketchbooks are a great choice for artists who want a high-quality sketchbook that can handle a variety of media. They are a bit pricey, but they are worth the investment if you are serious about your art.

The best sketchbook

I agree, Strathmore sketchbooks are a great choice for artists who want a versatile and affordable sketchbook. They offer a variety of paper types to suit different media, and they are well-made with a sturdy binding.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Strathmore sketchbooks:

Pros:

• Versatile paper types: Strathmore offers a variety of paper types to suit different media, including recycled paper, watercolor paper, charcoal paper, and pastel paper.
• Affordable: Strathmore sketchbooks are relatively affordable, making them a great option for budget-minded artists.
• Well-made: Strathmore sketchbooks are well-made with a sturdy binding that allows the pages to lay flat.
• Variety of sizes and styles: Strathmore offers a variety of sizes and styles of sketchbooks to choose from, so you can find the perfect one for your needs.

Cons:

• Standard paper can warp with watercolor: The standard paper in Strathmore sketchbooks can warp if you use watercolors on it. However, the watercolor paper is specifically designed to handle water and will not warp.
• Not as many sheets as some other brands: Strathmore sketchbooks don’t have as many sheets as some other brands, so they may not be the best choice for long-term projects.

Generally, I think Strathmore sketchbooks are a great choice for artists who want a versatile and affordable sketchbook. They offer a variety of paper types to suit different media, and they are well-made with a sturdy binding.

Best Eraser

Yes, the Faber-Castell Kneaded Eraser is a great choice for correcting charcoal, pencil, and pastel marks. It is also great for cleaning photographic slides and drawings. While it is extremely kneadable and very absorbent, and it leaves no residue behind. It is also PVC free.

Here are some of the pros and cons of the Faber-Castell Kneaded Eraser:

Pros:

• Extremely kneadable: The eraser can be kneaded into any shape, making it perfect for erasing small or large areas.
• Very absorbent: The eraser absorbs the pigment from the paper, leaving no residue behind.
• Affordable: The eraser is not expensive and lasts a long time.
• PVC free: The eraser is PVC free, making it safe for use with photographs and other sensitive materials.

Cons:

• Not as effective on hard surfaces: The eraser is not as effective on hard surfaces, such as glass or metal.

Overall, I think the Faber-Castell Kneaded Eraser is a great choice for artists who need a high-quality eraser that can be used on a variety of surfaces.

Best watercolors

Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colours are a student grade watercolor set that is made to high quality standards but costs are kept to an economical level by replacing some of the more costly pigments with less expensive alternatives. This does not mean that Cotman watercolors are of poor quality. They are still very good paints that can produce vibrant and beautiful results. However, they may not be as lightfast as some other brands of watercolors, and they may not have as wide a range of colors available.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colours:

Pros:

• Affordable: Cotman watercolors are very affordable, making them a great option for budget-minded artists.
• Good quality: Cotman watercolors are still made to high quality standards, and they can produce vibrant and beautiful results.
• Variety of colors: Cotman watercolors come in a variety of colors, so you have plenty of options to choose from.
• Easy to use: Cotman watercolors are easy to use, even for beginners.

Cons:

• Small tubes, can get expensive.

Overall, I think Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colours are a great choice for budget-minded artists who are looking for a good quality watercolor set.

Best Pastels

The Pentel Oil Pastels are a great choice for artists and students looking for the best back-to-school art supplies who are looking for a set of oil pastels that are clear, rich, fade-resistant, and easy to use. They apply smoothly and blend easily, making them perfect for creating subtle shades, tints, and color mixtures. They are also more vivid than chalk pastels and more resistant to the effects of humidity, making them ideal for longer-lasting drawings.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Pentel Oil Pastels:

Pros:

• Clear, rich, fade-resistant color: The colors in the Pentel Oil Pastels are clear, rich, and fade-resistant. This makes them perfect for creating long-lasting drawings.
• Smooth application: The pastels apply smoothly and evenly to the paper. This makes it easy to create smooth blends and transitions between colors.
• Easy to blend: The pastels blend easily with each other, making it easy to create subtle shades and tints.
• More vivid than chalk pastels: The colors in the Pentel Oil Pastels are more vivid than chalk pastels. This makes them perfect for creating bold and expressive drawings.
• More resistant to humidity: The pastels are more resistant to the effects of humidity than chalk pastels. This makes them ideal for use in outdoor settings or in humid climates.
• Affordable: Pentel Oil Pastels are very affordable, making them a great option for budget-minded artists.

Cons:

• Not as many colors available: Pentel Oil Pastels do not have as many colors available as some other brands.
• Can be messy: Oil pastels can be messy, so it is important to use a fixative to protect your artwork.

Overall, I think Pentel Oil Pastels are a great choice for artists who are looking for a set of high-quality oil pastels that are clear, rich, fade-resistant, and easy to use. They are affordable and come in a variety of colors, making them a great option for both beginners and experienced

Best acrylic paints

The Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Tube 12-Piece Set is a great choice for artists of all levels. It is made with high-quality pigments and is very versatile. The paints dry quickly and can be cleaned up with water while wet. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, including canvas, paper, wood, and metal. The set includes 12 tubes of paint in a variety of colors, so you have everything you need to start creating your masterpieces.

Here are some of the pros and cons of the Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint Set:

Pros:

• High-quality pigments: The paints are made with high-quality pigments that give them vibrant colors and opacity.
• Versatile: The paints can be used on a variety of surfaces, including canvas, paper, wood, and metal.
• Easy to use: The paints are easy to apply and blend. They can also be cleaned up with water while wet.
• Affordable: The set is a great value for the price.

Cons:

• Not as wide range of colors available: The set does not include as wide a range of colors as some other brands.

Overall, I think the Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint Set is a great choice for artists of all levels. It is made with high-quality pigments and is very versatile. The paints are easy to use and affordable. If you are looking for a set of acrylic paints that will give you vibrant colors and opacity, the Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint Set is a great option.

Here are some additional tips for choosing the best back-to-school art supplies:

• Consider your budget: art supplies can range in price from very affordable to quite expensive. It is important to set a budget before you start shopping so that you do not overspend.
• Think about your level of experience: If you are a beginner, you may want to choose a set of art supplies that is specifically designed for beginners. These sets are typically made with more basic materials and are easy to use. However, if you are more experienced, you may want to choose a set of art supplies that is made with higher-quality materials.
• Read reviews: Before you buy any art materials, it is a good idea to read reviews from other artists. This will give you an idea of the quality of the art supplies and whether they are a good fit for your needs.