I can't even remember the last time I've stepped into a REAL art store, and that's a looong time because I'm old! But oh the memories of going with my Dad and buying his special blue pencils or markers (that would squeak when he'd use them on his architectural plans). So now that I'm going to take an art class and be a student again, I get to go and buy supplies!!! Just like a giddy kid getting ready for the first day of school with a new backpack full of supplies (except mine were a tad more expensive). Though, they gave me a student discount! Sweet! My friend and I needed some help finding some of the particular pens and equipment for the pen and ink class we will be taking in January and the staff was very helpful. I might just have to go back just to peruse the isles and buy things I probably don't need, but think I must have because I'm an artiste (a legend in my own mind kind of thing). Great having a store with every kind of pen, pencil or pad of paper that you could ever imagine...or can't even imagine their are soooo many! Blick is the place to go. read more

Blick has the best prices on quality art supplies. I like this location because the staff here are super friendly and helpful, although because it's a smaller store, they don't always have everything. Parking can be a total bitch, too. Although I love love love the selection at the Blick on Van Ness, from a customer service standpoint, I prefer this location. Every single time I come here, people go out of their way to make sure I'm finding everything I need. That level of customer service seems exceedingly rare these days. In any case, prices are excellent at both locations, and if you're a student, you get a membership card which entitles you to an additional 10% off their prices. They'll also send you coupons in the mail. Brand new art supplies make me happy. I'm glad I have Blick so that I can stock up without breaking the bank. read more

I came to Blick with so many questions about materials, prices, types of canvases and both Daniel and Alex were immensely helpful. And patient. It's a 5 stars for me. Hope they help you as much as they helped me today! :-) read more

I love coming to Blick. It's one of my favorite errands besides Ace Hardware. For 88% of my visits, they've had what I need. Staff is always helpful and friendly, not snot-ass elitist hipster jerks insulted that customers exist at all (like one guy at Whole Foods on Telegraph semi-recently). They sometimes even ask if you need help. They also have reasonable prices and discounts for students and teachers. For the negative, I agree with other reviewers that parking is rubbish. I didn't even know that dinky lot in back was Blick's before - I assumed it was some kind of apartment parking. Why did they bother? Also, if they don't have something, they just don't have it, and they won't order it to the store from their site or another location. They seem to like to keep everything separate. If they changed that, I would give them the fifth star. That all being said, I haven't been to the other Blick stores, so I can't compare. But I do love THIS Blick. read more

There isn't a store near me so I have always ordered online. Went to the store on Van Ness in San Francisco a few days ago. It is a great store that had everything I was looking for. The staff was friendly, helpful, and personable. They had a Father's Day sale with 20% off and I got another discount with a preferred customer card they gave me. I found a piece of gator board I wanted. An art store near my home only has full sheets of gator foam and they do not cut it. Blick has a great selection of practically anything you need. read more

They usually have just what I need, but why, oh why, do I always have to wait in line while several employees are just sitting around behind the counter? Urgh... Maybe they're working on something, but it makes me a little crazy none the less. Oh yeah, they have a parking lot, but it is pretty tight back there. Grab a spot on the street instead! read more

Nice store and employees but the parking sucks. They have a lot in the back that is so narrow, you can't really turn around so you have to reverse out of their driveway to get out. It also only holds about 3 cars. Street parking can be difficult to find in this area at times as well. That said, I can't really blame them for being in this location since they cater mostly to art students from the art college across the street. read more

So I know that Covid is making businesses have a harder time with deliveries. But I'm very irritated with your business, and have been a member for years. I ordered $300 worth of paint for a commissioned gig. I placed this order the 14th and was told several times it was being packaged and sent out the next day when I called. Finally a real human told me my items were on back order and I wouldn't receive them until the 29th. More than two weeks for an order that I'm using to work from home. And lies when I ask about my items. You also waited until the 26th to take funds for the items out of my account. I will never get delivery from y'all again. read more

I pop into here when they have sales (or when I neeeed to get a thing for class). It's so easy to spend all the money here. I tend to mostly self-direct myself towards what I need, or browse. I feel like I don't always get asked if I need help (I pretty much always tell them I don't). Which is like, fine. I kind of wish they had more sculpture and book stuff. But idk they have limited room for all the things that one might want. I feel like more things could fit in that front "gift" section. But I don't know. Maybe people are frequently buying that type of thing? Idk. The other day I was asking about whether or not a thing was in stock, and I had an extended weird time about it. The thing I was asking about is apparently frequently stolen. But I'm wondering how often these folks check inventory? Seems like a thing that shouldn't be this way. But this was just the one/only time that I asked an inventory question, so I don't know how often this occurs. I think the workers are nice. read more

I came in today to pick up supplies to start learning how to oil paint. I was kind of successful in navigating everything after reading a little bit online but Daniel was really friendly and stepped in and helped me out a lot. He paints with oil and had a lot of great advice on which supplies to start with, convenience, and things like that. Thank you very much! read more

This place is excellent! They have TONS of selection and cover many of the different art mediums. The best part was their staff. They all were truly helpful and knew where I could find exactly what I needed. They also were very knowledeable about how to use the various things I needed for my class like Yes! Paste and rubber cement pick-ups. Look for the cute metal guy with long hair, he's the artist Grim Wilkins and is very talented, making his graphic novel. He's also fun to chat to. read more

workers are nice & helpful But they do not know what's on sale & I have to convinced them with the flyer posted in the school. On sale items do not exist and owner is NOT willing to replace it with a cheaper smaller size one. So I went home and ordered ONLINE the same sale price anyway. read more

It's not a huge store but we get what we are looking for. Staffs are helpful. My daughter get discount because she joined the membership (art student) . That helps. read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE!!! did i say how much i LOVE this place? cheap n affordable quality art supplies. did i say ART supplies? yes they have art supplies, unlike michael's n university art. they are CRAFT stores. i cant find stuff i need there, but BLICK's is great.! and those places are overly priced! dont they know art students are poor? great people great service one thing i dislike about this place is their parking! what's up with the parking in the back? if u have anything bigger than a civic, dont even bother parking in the back. read more

Kevin really saved the day with my paper fiasco. Paulette was also helpful with his words of encouragement. I am inspired. You should shop here. I bet this could be one of Forbes top 100 with employees like this. read more

Very nice staff took my kids for art supplies cashier gave us all the information of upcoming sales. read more

Blick Art Materials - Art Supplies Near Me - Oakland, California

Place has everything i need to get it poppin. I ordered a airbrush kit, iwata beginner set, got everything very thorough and practice sheets to help get me going. Great variety of products and explanation of them is great read more

I am so upset and appalled with the customer service I received here. I asked an employee for help because I genuinely didn't understand what I was looking for and they were extremely argumentative when I know in no way I approached them that way. They were extremely condescending and made me altogether want to never come back to that store. They seemed to have no idea what I was talking about & I know that employee has been working there for years. I know this because I've seen them many times and have been going there and spending at least a few thousand dollars over a few years. Now I don't think I will ever come back. There were 2 other employees that in the end were knowledgeable and helpful but I was extremely taken aback when I first asked for help. If I wasn't on such a time constraint I would have left immediately. I honestly might as well have because half of the supplies I was looking for weren't available and you would think a store with such a long term relationship with the local schools would have readily stocked supplies in anticipation of the influx of students coming into buy them ....I rarely write reviews but this is how amazingly rude the employee was. Like wow. read more

Wow, it's so cool, this Blick is so great! I need to bring extra money because they have so many awesome things to buy, (all the art supplies) and even planters and seeds for strawberries and other herbs. Also BPA free water cooler or heater water bottles for cheap! read more

Lazy workers. That one worker named Nick was very reluctant to help us even though we had already checked in with Blick from Berkeley to put my order on the side. When I asked for an extra one, he refused, saying the system is inaccurate and that Berkeley did not know their stock supply even though we had just called in to make sure ONE HOUR ago, when the lady set aside three pieces of the stuff I had ordered. Nick continued to tell us that the stuff had just been restocked and that it is all the way in the back which is impossible to find because there are too many boxes? Ridiculous excuse, you're just the lazy one man read more

Such helpful staff. I walked in asked a person and walked out in less than 5 minutes. Will def come get my supplies here.

I love Blick, but I will not go back to this particular store. I drove from other side of Oakland to get there. Their computer said that they actually do have what I am looking for but it was not on the shelf but in a box somewhere in the store. There were 4 people working, not too many customers, and yet they didn't make an effort to find the item. They offered to call me back when they open the boxes, though, which to me is same as nothing, I'm not going to drive back for this anymore. There's another Blick in Berkeley, which is great, more professional and helpful staff, and better selection, and that is where I recommend people to go if they have a choice. read more

The people who work in this particular store are so rude and unhelpful, it has to make you wonder if they are being treated poorly by their employer to make them hate being there so much. I had the complete opposite experience at another art supply store in Oakland, so I will not go back to this Blick, even though it's closer to where I live. read more

I've been going to Blick's regularly for the past four years. I've never had any problems with the customer service or felt put off. When you go in, you're often greeted by a cashier. The workers are helpful, friendly and make themselves available. There's a great selection of supplies for any painting/drawing/printmaking/craft mediums, and enough variety in brands that I often find myself doing impromptu calculations for the best quality and prices. It's a medium-sized store so you learn where everything is pretty quickly. There's also a good selection of gifts, stationery, portfolios, carrying cases and other accessories. It's my go-to art store. read more

Truly amazing customer service. Wesley was incredibly helpful and friendly. He helped us find supplies, gave advice, and answered all the questions (many) that we had about painting. Could not have had a better experience. read more

Every time I come to this location, I always get the help I need and if the employee may not be able to answer my question, they never hesitate to find someone who does have the answer. I also always make sure to stop by when I have a coupon. read more

God help you if you need to call for a stock check.

I am an artist & I I finally got out to blick's for my first time. I was looking for supplies, of course. I was so interested with the selection. This very nice girl seeing my excitement came over & help narrow my over bubbling stack.. I am disabled & usually have a hard time getting around. From the very large supplies to the conditions of the store. It was great experience for me. She took me through the whole store & was so very friendly even helping me to my car. Believe it or not I don't hardly get that kind of service. Even with my bad spine. So for all those people who can't get around. Blick Is my new hot spot for all art materials. Thank you for the info pass it on. read more

If I were to convey the fervency that arises when I enter this place(particularly the first time), I would compare it to a child entering a Toys R' Us back in it's hayday before the overwhelming proliferation of cellular phones and internets. This place is completely stocked on just about every material for every conventional medium anyone would typically work with. It's enough to leave anyone walking into this place completely overwhelmed and disoriented as though they had just walked into a winding hallway of mirrors. They used to also leave samples for test drawing with most of the tools laying around, but have not done so often as of late. Too bad most of the materials are a bit on the high end of the price spectrum, though; especially those copic markers. read more

I love the staff at this store. Friendly... Happy to help... knowledgeable... And their canvas seems to ALWAYS be on sale. I buy a CRAP LOAD of canvas because I'm too busy to stretch my own, so for this reason, this store TOTALLY ROCKS! read more

I really love this Blick Art store. The people are always super nice, helpful and they play decent music in the store. From learning how to feel up paper to the type of portfolio you might need, they've got it and they know what you need. They are used to assisting all types of situations (i.e., moms shopping for their art school student son or daughter and the first year CCA art student, etc.). I really enjoy the staff a lot more than the Blick Art in SF. Highly recommend. read more

I visited this Blick and was back in the clay area trying to match the clay I used a few years ago. There was a Blick employee helping another customer so I patiently waited. When she started going to get someone with more knowledge to help the other customer, I asked her to send someone to help me in clay. I waited and waited finally heard the first customer and he was with another employee. So I went up front and saw the first representative helping another customer. I mentioned to her that nobody had come to help me and then left the store. I Went there because I believe I bought the original clay there. read more

I've passed by the store multiple times and was excited to finally pay a visit. Bottom line, the person that helped me was rude. It really soured the whole experience. Otherwise, the store was neat and the selection was great. read more

Envelopes. Expensive but worth it. Perfect size for the gorgeous pictures that my husband takes of our daughter. Sometimes getting an actual picture in the mail as a card or just because, is so much better than an email or web version. A great color envelope just tops off the presentation. read more

For the sales, the service, and the fact that I've found what I needed and more each time I've gone. Also: I usually find a free meter right in front...that's weird, so either Blick and I have good parking karma or I just manage to be here when most people aren't. Overall, I like this place--a little too much. (Blank sketchbooks are my weakness.) read more

Cheap art materials and FANTASTIC service. If i was an artist, this would be my mecca.

They have a decent selection of art supplies, usually well stocked. It has a "chain feel" to it - I miss Amsterdam art and prefer some of the SF stores. For a quick fix this works. They also give you a small discount if you are a student or a teacher so that helps. read more

Blicks is awesome! I come here for some art supplies not too often. They have great prices and what not... The thing i dont like is that the staff follow me around the store as if i were going to steal something. I hate it when people do that and it makes me not want to shop there anymore. But its okay... They're still cool read more

Super helpful with a bevy of materials from which to choose

Honestly, I'm always a little intimidated to go into an art supply store... assuming the attitude is going to be "why does this poser want silkscreen silk (or whatever)." And then I go here and I'm always amazed at how friendly, polite and helpful the service is. I have a weird job, so I've gone looking for some fairly esoteric things, and they always seem to have what I need. Thanks, Blick! read more