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Art Supplies on a Budget
25
items If you really want to express yourself in an artistic manner, but don't have a lot of money, don't worry! There are good products at budget prices waiting for you. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Sections
7
Pens! Pens! Pens!
Paints, Paint Pens, and Brushes
Digital Drawing Aids
Similar items, but on Walmart
Similar items, but on Blick
Similar items, but on Hobby Lobby
Pens! Pens! Pens!
Absolutely awesome pens (if you hoard like I do, please find help with your pen addiction … or don't, we all need pens …right?)! Arranged from low-price to high-priced.
When I first started with inking pens, these were what I used - college kids laughed at me because I wasn't using Micron, but it didn't matter. These are extremely good pens and can stand up to just about anything - though they are a tad weak on the deep black for which the Microns are known.
Kuretake Zig Memory System Millennium Marker Black
Perfect for people just starting, it is a no-smear pen that gives smooth lines. Want to see it in action? Look for mathiesmemos on TikTok and Mathie Tremas on Facebook. ❤️
ARTISTRO Set of 2 Black Fineliner Pens
I was skeptical at first, having made my purchase for 2025 Inktober (bad experience with their markers): Hands down, awesome pens (I'm sorry I'm a pen hoarder).
KINGART PRO Inkline Black Micro Line Pens, 10 Nibs
While a lot of people think the price is too steep (I was there, once), these are some of the BEST archival drawing pens you can purchase without breaking the bank. Deep, dark black ink stays for years to come, and it takes a while before the pen ne...
SAKURA Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens - 8 Count
While these are a little more on the blue side of black (they do not come out as dark as Sakura Microns), these are DEFINITELY an awesome choice if you're looking to start with archival drawing pens. You can also find them in colored sets!
Prismacolor Premier Fine Line Markers, 5 Pack
Really good for just jotting down notes - or going insane with stippling with various colors (*cough*). >>;
Zebra Sarasa Fineliner Pens 0.8mm 10-Pack
A bit pricey, considering, but definitely worth the investment if you want to change your style a tad – second image is me holding my own pens, lol. They're hard to find, too, and water based (which is why I mentioned changing your style).
Kuretake Fude Gongochi AP Calligraphy Marker
Another good choice if you want to change your style, but a tad pricey (Amazon states the same about price and, at this moment, are not selling them).
Faber Castell Pitt Manga Set - Blacks/Greys 8pk
Paints, Paint Pens, and Brushes
Yet again, things that I have tried and have vetted as being good products.
Smooth, easy to use, and a good starter set to see if you actually enjoy using acrylic paint pens!
Dual Tip Acrylic Paint Pen Marker - 24 Colors
Good brushes for starting out - they don't have split fibers, and they aren't breaking your wallet. The various sizes are decent for what most people start off with in small paintings and you can grow from here.
ARTIFY 12 PCS Synthetic Watercolor Brushes Set
Digital Drawing Aids
Digital drawing pads, drawing pens? Sure! I don't dabble much with such things, but I do have friends that dabble – I have used the Ugee Q6 and love it; anything else pressed here is based on usage by my art friends.
I personally use the Ugee Q6 drawing tablet - both on my Android smartphone and my laptop. Easy to use, and easy to set up, the pressure sensor is excellent and the lines are smooth. If you have never used a digital drawing tablet before, I would su...
6 Inch Mobile Drawing Tablet Q6 for Phones & PCs
Similar items, but on Walmart
I'm aware that some of us prefer to stay away from Amazon - not everything can be found elsewhere, but I will try my best!
WALMART: The Ugee Q6 again, but through not Amazon (love this doodling gadget)!
UGEE Q6 Graphics Drawing Tablet, 6.3x3.5 inches Pen Tablet with 6 Customized Keys, Android Support
WALMART: Slightly lower in price as of this post, but not by much.
KINGART Inkline/Graphic Fine Line Drawing Pens Set – 10 Assorted Sizes, Archival Black Ink Art Illustration and Sketching
WALMART: Same exact pens, a bit more expensive.
Kuretake Zig Memory System Millennium Pen Set
WALMART: Same 6-pen set, same quality, different store.
Sakura Pigma Micron Fine Liner Pens - Archival Black Ink Pens for Writing, Drawing, or Journaling - Assorted Point Sizes - 6 Pack
WALMART: Same set, different store (may be difficult to get, they sell out fast here).
Prismacolor Premier Fine Line Markers, Black, 5-Pack
WALMART: Within the same price range.
Zebra Sarasa Fineliner Pens, Needle Point, 0.8mm, Assorted Colors, 10-Pack
WALMART: Still pricey, but available.
Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Set - Manga, Wallet Set of 8
WALMART: Same off-brand acrylic paint pens, different store. (I know how some folks tend to go against Amazon purchases, no biggie.)
Acrylic Paint Markers, 24 Pcs 48 Colors Dual Tip Dual Color Acrylic Markers, Acrylic Markers Set Paint Pens for Stone, Wood, Calligraphy, Canvas, Ceramic, Metal, Glass, Rock Painting,DIY Crafts
WALMART: These are the same brushes but with different packaging, though they tend to be out of stock due to the low price.
ARTIFY 12 Pieces Watercolor Paint Brushes, Intermediate Series, Synthetic Nylon Brushes for Watercolor, Acrylic, Gouache & Oil Painting, Includes Round, Flat, Cat's Tongue
Similar items, but on Blick
BLICK: Same pens, within the same price as Amazon as of this moment.
Kingart Inkline Artists Pens - Assorted Tips, Black, Set of 10
BLICK: Also has them, yay! :D
Kuretake Zig Millennium Fineliner Pen and Set
Similar items, but on Hobby Lobby
I do not get anything for posting links to Hobby Lobby, but I'm always making sure you have options! If you can find these on sale anywhere beyond Amazon? Huzzah!
HOBBY LOBBY: Same pens, different store – always check prices, as sometimes (sometimes) you're not getting the best deal for the same exact item.
Black Micron Fine Line Ink Pens - 6 Piece Set
Similar items, but on Michael's
Sometimes you can find things at Michael's on a deeper discount than other places, but it's rare. Happy hunting!
MICHAEL'S: Same pens, twice the price. (…why is everything more expensive there?)
KINGART® Inkline™ Fine Line Art & Graphic Pens ...
MICHAEL'S: Same brushes, higher price - easier to purchase online or in store.
ARTIFY 12 PCS Watercolor Brushes, Synthetic Nylon Paint ...