“Always use the best materials you can afford.” You’ll hear this advice in every art class and read it in every good art advice book, too.
But is it always true? Let’s demystify paint choices so you can spend wisely.
Student vs. Professional Paints
Professional paints pack more pigment, blend smoother, and last longer. Student-grade paints cut costs with fillers and synthetic substitutes, which can fade or muddy over time. But they’re not useless. Here’s where they shine:
- Practice & Exploration: Perfect for trying new techniques without wasting expensive paint. I use student grade paint when I want to take a class from another artist simply because I am learning and will never sell a piece I have made in a class.
- Workshops: When learning from others, focus on the process, not the product. It is more about what you are learning than the outcome, so I keep my expensive paints for the work I want to sell.
- Sharing with Others: Less drama when a classmate “borrows” your cadmium red. I regularly lose paints, pencils etc. when taking a class so never worry too much when it’s cheaper paints that go missing.
Pro Tip: Cheap paints behave differently; they are drier and chalkier. Test them first to avoid frustration in finished work, though I have used really cheap, chalky paint when preparing a canvas for use with oil paint. It sucks up the oil, meaning the first layer dries really quickly.
Is It Stealing to Borrow Techniques?
Studying other artists, whether in person, via YouTube, in books or through your own research is research, not theft. The key is to remix ideas into your own style. As I tell my students: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Final Thought: Use student paints for play, professional paints for keeps. And never apologise for experimenting. Just have fun.
NB I do not get paid to endorse any people or brands mentioned in my blogs.
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