How to Paint on a Budget!

Painting on a budget is absolutely possible—you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy art. Here are some practical ways to save money while still creating beautiful work:

🎨 Supplies

• Paint

  • Start with student-grade acrylics or watercolors (brands like Liquitex Basics, Apple Barrel, or Artist’s Loft). They’re affordable but good enough for classes.

  • Buy primary colors + black + white—you can mix almost any color yourself instead of buying dozens of tubes.

  • Look for craft paint sets at Walmart, Michaels, or Amazon; these often cost less than buying tubes individually.

• Brushes

  • Inexpensive multi-packs work fine for beginners. Don’t chase the pro brands.

  • Wash and reshape brushes right away to extend their life.

• Canvas & Paper

  • Dollar Tree often has stretched canvases for $1.25 each.

  • Bulk canvas packs online (10–12 at a time) are cheaper than singles.

  • For practice, use acrylic paper pads or even recycled cardboard panels (gesso them first).

🖌️ Tools & Substitutes

• Use plastic plates, recycled jars, or yogurt cups instead of fancy palettes and water containers. I often use wax paper or aluminum foil. I save the shiny papers that peel off from things that come in the mail. I even used the peel off backing on stair carpet treads and cut them up! I've used wax cereal bags - they make a great palette!

• Old T-shirts, rags, or paper towels make great paint blotters.

• Masking tape is a budget alternative to artist tape.

💡 Techniques to Stretch Supplies

• Mix gesso with inexpensive white paint to make primer go further.

• Reuse canvases: paint over old pieces with gesso.

• Add a drop of water or medium to stretch your paints without losing too much coverage.

🛒 Where to Shop Smart

• Dollar stores for canvases, palettes, water cups.

• Thrift shops for jars, easels, and frames.

• Craft store coupons (Michaels/Hobby Lobby often have 40–50% off one item).

• Amazon or Blick for bulk bundles.

🌱 Budget-Friendly Projects

• Do mini paintings (4x4 or 5x7) instead of large canvases—less paint, quicker sessions.

• Offer “paint on wood slices” or stone painting—natural surfaces can often be collected for free.

• Use digital tracers/printables you design once and reuse for many classes.

🎒 Essentials for a Budget Painting Kit

🛒 Sample Products (Low-Cost Picks)

Here are some product ideas you can order online. These are just to give you a sense of cost; you can mix & match as needed. I’m not saying “buy all of these” — pick one or two that cover most needs.

•

Walmart + others

Artist's Loft 25 Piece Brush Pack $7.99

Liquitex Basics 6‑Pack Synthetic Brushes

$3.50

•

Michaels Stores + others

Artist's Loft 50 Piece Brush & Palette Knife Set

$13.48

•

Target + others

Mondo Llama 10pc Brush Set

$5.00

💲 Sample Budget Estimate

Here’s a rough example of how much a minimal kit might cost (as of current prices) using budget picks:

Item	Approx cost
Paint set (student / starter)	$15–25
Brush set (multipack)	$5–15
Canvas panel or pad (5–10 pack)	$5–15
Palette / mixing surface (reused)	$0 (use what you have)
Sealant / varnish (small spray)	$5–10
Jars, cups, mixing containers	$0 (reuse)

So you can get started with around $30–60 if you shop smart.

💡 Extra Tips to Stretch Your Budget

• Watch for sales & coupons at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or similar. Michaels frequently has 40–50% off one item. Michaels+1

• Check clearance aisles for past-season canvases or paint. Hobby Lobby

• Use thrift stores / yard sales / reuse shops. Many artists give up supplies cheap or free.

• Reuse surfaces: paint over old canvases with gesso, or use canvas panels.

• Only buy “expanders” when you need them (e.g. extra colors). Start with primaries and mix.

• Take care of brushes (don’t let paint dry on them) to make them last longer. ✨ Final Thoughts

  Painting doesn’t have to be expensive to be enjoyable, fulfilling, and creative. With a few budget-friendly supplies and a little imagination, you can set up your own mini art studio at home without breaking the bank. Remember, it’s not about having the fanciest tools—it’s about putting paint to surface, experimenting, and letting your creativity flow.

  So gather your brushes, pour some paint on a thrifted plate, and give yourself permission to play. Every masterpiece starts with a single brushstroke—why not begin yours today? 🎨💛