General Manager Jay was super nice and helpful! Thank you so much for your kindness! Will definitely be back

Ah! How did I go so long in reviewing The Art Store. Ehem, oh right, they were bought by Dick Blick....weeeeelll, it will always be The Art Store to me, and probably all the others who patronized it back then. Luckily, I can say that because other than the sign out front and the ads, they kept the same great mentality, service, and prices. As a former Art Student, I made many-o trips down to Little Italy for art supplies. They have the best deals on canvases and paint (their store brand being a great deal). DO NOT, i repeat DO NOT go to a place like Aaron Bros or Michaels for fine art supplies. I mean, if it is more convenient, okay, but if you are stocking up and stuff no one else can beat their prices. Or selection! I bought an Easel here a long time ago for $100 and it's still in great sturdy shape. If you are a student you can get a membership card that saves you money on regular priced materials...I want to say 10%, maybe 20%? I can't remember. I am no longer a student :( Plus they will snail mail you when sales and promos are going on, and extra coupon cards. Oh and a downtown shop with a big private parking lot for customers gets 5 stars in my book, hands down. read more

BLICKS! Well stocked art supply store. Friendly staff who knew their stuff! Right on my artsy folks! Got an excellent quality easel, 5 pack canvas and some acrylic paint for 40 - 50% off. Top quality products. Score! I loved the natural fiber paper made from wood, bark, bamboo maybe? Not sure. Don't care coz it's so cool read more

Blick Art Materials - Well stocked - Art Supplies Near Me - San Diego, California

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I am not much of an artsy person so every time I am in the area, I always skip over this store but I do love stationary and I saw some in the window so I NEEDED to stop here so I could look at it. The store is much larger than I expected. It is very deep and uses a loft space/2nd floor to add even more items. I did not go through most of the store as I was not interested in any of the art supplies so I can't tell you how great of a variety there is but based on the amount of customers they had there I am sure they have just about everything for the arty people. The area I stayed in is right at the front of the store. It has a bunch of random and cutesy stuff. I looked at the stationary but didn't buy any. I loved looking at the notebooks, books, desk items, mugs, and everything else the store had to offer in that front corner. There was a lot to look at in such a small area and I was very happy. Everyone seemed to be happy, staff included so if I was someone who liked to do art projects, I know I would come here. There is also parking in the back of the building! That is truly exciting in San Diego. read more

There's art supplies galore here but this place is really cool to go to just to check out their artsy gift tchotchkes. Of note: -Vintage map calendars and postcards -Really cutely packaged colored pencil set -Umbra frames with clips that I wish I could have found 5 years ago when I was searching for this exact design -Super pretty papers, especially Japanese papers read more

Great place for any art supplies for students & artists. Kids stuff tooo! From canvasses to paper supplies, markers, paints, a bit of yarn. Nice location in Little Italy! read more

The employees were friendly and tried their best to help, but unfortunately there were not a lot of fiber art supplies. I came for frame loom weaving materials and there was not even half an idle dedicated to it. I guess most of the loom stuff advertised online and bought through SD community colleges is not actually carried in store. read more

You don't always need art supplies, yet you can always find something here. Staff are very kind and helpful

Definitely love this gem in Little Italy. All the prices for the different medias are fair prices. One of the coolest things here is that they had an amazing selection of spray paint especially Montana cans and respirator mask and the different tips always readily available. The location itself is always clean and the staff is very friendly. They also have their own parking which they validate. Only problem is getting out of the parking lot after you're done shopping. read more

They had a really fantastic selection of modeling clay that I had trouble sourcing either online or in other big box stores. And they were able to bring it to the front desk for easy pick up. The area is tricky to drive in on a weekend but it's worth it for this store. read more

Blick Art Materials - Modeling clay section is easy to find - Art Supplies Near Me - San Diego, California

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The LAST real incredible wonderful valued fun art supply store I visit. Great customer service too!

I love this place. It's fun to see what new items come in each season or to pick up the basics. Great pen and watercolor paper selection. The staff makes recommendations based on their personal experiences with the product or product knowledge. read more

This was a great store wirh wonderful employees! They gave dog treats too! Today (April 6), I couldn't believe what I saw. The business is shuttered. I am so sad! First, the camera store across the street turned into a disgusting animal-killing restaurant, and now our lovely art supply store is gone. Besides the food market on India St, this was the only useful store left. Just got news from the Manager that the store is not closed for good. This is a happy day! Thanks for letting me know. read more

Blick Art Materials is our favorite place to go for art supplies. They have great customer service, as well as their own (free) parking lot for their customers. If your looking for art supplies, Blick Art Materials should be on your list of places to check out. read more

I'm not a big time artist. The best I can do is doodle. But, every time I do walk into this location- you get great customer service. We arrived last night- 30 minutes tip closing time & it's great to see staff still chipper & smiling. I always love how well lit Blick is. And as soon as I walked in I saw a Dia de Los Muertos adult coloring book.With tax & no Blick discount $14. Sounds about right. I walked out a happy camper. ;) read more

Really cool store informative employees, serious about there business. Tend to close a bit early than they say on the hours...

This store is a dream come true for browsing for art supplies and related materials. The prices are fairly steep, especially compared to online stores, but I purchase from here every so often anyway, just to keep the place open. It's so nice to have a tangible store to go into, where you can touch things and see things up close and personal. As an artist, thats something I value a lot. read more

Good selection, helpful employees, cool lay out. Good selection: tons of options, variations, and support. Employees are constantly walking around offering help if needed. Lay out, double tier is great. And the area is cool. Would be better IF... IF... parking was better or better bike racks.... read more

Best art supply in Diego never had any problems with rude staff. They are always helpful. Thank you

The staff here are beyond helpful & friendly. The atmosphere they set makes you just want to stay all day and shop...sometimes I do! They have everything you need & more, the store is clean and organized. Shelves are always fully stocked or being stocked, I've never walked in there to see a mess (and I've been there days in a row to pickup things I've forgotten for artwork). Cannot say enough about this location and it's staff! Thanks :) read more

I don't know where this great friendly customer service is everyone was talking about. No one said a single thing to me even though there were lots of employees near the entrance. I'm gonna say it. They were snobby. Customer service aside, store is pretty confusing. But prices are decent. I wouldn't come back to this location if I can help it. read more

Dick Blick is the lick! Shout out to the sales staff for being artists and the managers that hire them. Shout out to the concept that knowledgable sales reps make knowledgable customers which make re-peat customers. For example, ask for "Dee" next time you shop there and experience what this feels like. In a nut shell, She's like the "wolf" from Pulp Fiction, but in real life, and for artists. She exceeded every expectation I had and even a few I didnt. Thank you ! read more

Kristina Tran's eye for detail and ability to find the perfect matting and frame to compliment and highlight my decades old photo is amazing! Her professional expertise is evident in all the work she has done for me. My classic Gumby and Pokey photo was signed by Art Clokey, the creator of these iconic figures, who made their first appearance on the Howdy Doody Show in 1956. read more

Blick Art Materials - Art Supplies Near Me - San Diego, California

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I spent 45 minutes driving around looking for a parking space. I finally found one 6 blocks away. There were no spaces in your lot. Since I am handicapped, I was using a mobility scooter. I spent $93 but would have spent much more if the second floor had been available to the handicapped. I was very disappointed. I couldn't get what I needed. I live four hours away and was looking forward to getting everything I needed to a project. Amazing that the state allows you to have a whole floor not accessible to the handicapped. read more

My favorite art supply store in San Diego. 1. It's close to my house! 2. They have EVERYTHING you need for your art-making thing. 3. Look for deals! They have a great one right now (I think it's still happening now.. ? lol) -- 50% off canvases and paints! HOLLA! 4. Word of caution: you will spend more time than you need to here, so look for a parking spot that'll suit you. 5. The workers are super chill and know their art. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance! 6. I love that they have huge plastic bags so you don't have to carry your canvases out and get them dirty. 7. This is probably the first brick and mortar store that I like compared to their internet shop. aka, upgrade your website, blicks! 8. It's close to a lotta food, so if you need a break from your art shopping, visit their neighbors for gelato or ramen to revamp. 9. It can get crowded and if it does, their aisles are tiny. fyi. It's super cute, huge, packed, and convenient! You'll probably end up buying a lot of stuff that'll collect dust on your bookshelf. Like I did. Still gonna go back though. read more

Why do I always feel like a kid in a candy store every time I walk into Blick!??? I can seriously spend hours in there and if I could, I would buy everything in the store. This place is an artist's dream, and I'm so grateful we have a Blick store in Little Italy. Blick, I love you!!! From paper to canvas to paint, they have all the sizes you need and so much more! You get extra savings if you are on their mailing list and have their preferred card. The only con is actually outside the store. They have a small parking area that's difficult to get out of, as you have to pull out in reverse all the way until you hit the main street and it's hard to see the cars driving by. read more

I called to ask a simple question, "hello, I know it's a longshot, but do you happen to carry yarn?" "Uh, yarn? This is blick art supplies. We only carry art supplies. Try a fabric store." Says Pamela. Rude. And for those of you who are unfamiliar, many of the Blick locations will carry a very small selection of quality yarns, as well as knitting needles and crochet hooks. This was not an absolutely unheard of question. I actually began crochet with supplies bought from a Blick. I'll give another star because I absolutely love Blick for their selection, but what kind of salesperson thinks treating someone like they're a moron for asking a reasonable question is going to get them good business? Nope nope. I love you Blick, but this locations' employees need an attitude adjustment. read more

Anyone, whos anyone, who thinks they are artistic, has been to blick! The fact that they have everything you could ever imagine, at affordable prices blows my minds sometimes. I always find what I need, no matter what. Sure the service isn't always the greatest. I feel for those of you who have tried new media with little help from staff, as I never am asked how I am doing, although most of the time I don't need it anyway. I'm taking a million art classes this coming semester, so I can't wait to come here to get all my school needs filled. read more

Blick is one of the few art stores that's affordable. The only place that's comparable are university art shops. This is where I get my supply of canvases, acrylics and disposable brushes to help sustain my hobby. Blick frequently has promotional sales and special discounts for students. For starving artists and penny pinching art students this is a money! Admittedly, I use my expired school ID to take advantage of the discounts even though it expired years ago! However, to stay semi-ethical, I still take random courses now and then. One pain point of Blick's Little Italy location is the parking lot. You can easily enter the parking lot, but you have to carefully back out to get out of the lot - usually to on-coming, one-way traffic on the main strip. read more

We've been going to Blick's for art supplies for almost twenty years. Easily the best selection in San Diego, a city not known for these kind of stores. I read a lot of whining about the parking. First of all, they have their own lot on India Street which is rarely full. It's a bit tight getting in and you have to back up to get out. If driving in reverse makes you uncomfortable, try arriving during off-hours and find street parking. Off hours = When they open. I always find parking within a block, even now that Little Italy has become a Restaurant magnet. Don't go there on Saturdays because of the Farmers Market takes up all the parking in the whole area. The store has a good selection of materials. We buy Acrylic Paint, brushes, canvases, frames, paper, colored pencils, mechanical pencils, felt tip pens, etc. Prices are fair. I suggest you get a Blick's Card and then they send you 20% or 30% off coupons, plus special promotions. What I don't like is that the in-store prices and their internet prices can vary wildly. Example: Went to the store today to buy a 9mm Pentel Mechanical Pencil. Price in store was $21.99, price on-line $7.99. Always, always check the prices on-line before going to the store. Also there are many items not in the store that are on their web site. Another thing I don't like is the attitude of some of the employees. For the most part they're helpful and friendly, but evidently there are some working there who think that this type of work is beneath them and so are the patrons who shop there. I really don't like it when someone talks down to me when I ask about drafting supplies and I was working as a draftsman before they were born. Last word: If you need Art Supplies, this is the best of the three choices available in San Diego. read more

The company used to be Dick Blick I believe....I can see why they changed the name but dick blick is so fun to say....dick blick dick blick! hahaa... Lots of stuff at this location. Cramped. The papers sold by the sheet are all wrinkly or out of order which sucks but kudos for carrying better paper than say, Michael's (eww), and being more affordable than boutiques. A sorry selection of Snow and Graham paper but not bad for a mainstream store, I guess. +1 star for location +1 star for lots of Moleskins and Copic pens. +1 star for carrying many basics +1 star for non-pushy, decent, leave-you-alone-type of service. read more

They carry a lot of art supplies which is nice, but last last weekend, I dropped in to find some yarn for my Halloween costume and couldn't locate any. Tried to find a sales associate and found each of them involved in a deep, 30minute conversations with clients. Couldn't get them to break long enough to ask, "do you have yarn?" When I finally did pose my question, I got this look, and a "We don't... usually carry things like yarn. You should try... Yardage Town. I think there is one... a few miles from here." Lots of pregnant pauses in there. Knitting and crafts are art too, buddy. read more

I don't care how much inventory your store has & how inviting it may look. Your management & staff are worthless, rude & incompetent. Thanks for NOT allowing me return an item that was improperly marked wrong, which I didn't notice until I returned home & tried to use it. Having the receipt & I returning the item the next day (27 miles later) they refused to switch it for another. How about changing you store name to "You SUCK" Dick Art Materials read more

Great selection! It can be super hard to park almost all the time as it is located in rhe heart of little italy and their designated parking area is extremely narrow. The art products are also overpriced, as expected, but this is also the main art hub/store in the area. Beware of crowds. read more

I love me some Dick... Blick that is. This art supply is the dealer to my addiction, my own special kind of heroin, the church in which I pray. They are without a doubt, the best stocked art supply store in San Diego. They have it all: paints, brushes, specialty papers, airbrush supplies, every kind of medium for traditional artist needs. Price ranges from affordable to expensive, it just depends what you're in there for. They also sell gifts, knick knacks and greeting cards and books for those not so artistically inclined. Be forewarned that Blick is a very dangerous establishment. Set foot in and walk out with a serious dent to your wallet, one trip sets you back a good fifty but it is well worth it. And nicely located too, once you're done shopping you can hit any of the amazing local eateries that Little Italy has to offer. read more

i love the feel of this art store it reminded me of back home in SF and it was just overall a really great place to find whatever it is you need art related. im not an artist i just went there to get a simple canvas. I went to check out their sketch/drawing/watercolor books and they have a WIDE selection it's really nice! They also have a rewards system which is even cooler and their parking is right next to the building and you dont have to worry about struggling to find parking on the street in little Italy. read more

Blick has a great selection of materials and carries just about everything I use. The prices are reasonable (but not great), and the service is about average for an art supply store. People who work in art supply stores tend to have more ego than skill when it comes to art. Most of them are art school washouts, and this job is all they can do to keep them connected to the so called artist community. The reason I am giving this place 1 star is because of the shitty location. Out of 5 attempted visits I only made it into the store 2 times. If I circle the block 3 times and can't find a fucking parking space then I move on. I simply don't have the time to keep circling till someone decides to leave the area, or park 3 blocks away and walk. This is what happens when you put a store like this in a trendy area, especially one centered on cramped one way street that seems to attract nothing but entry level hipster douchebags that think hanging out in "Little Italy" makes them more worldly. If they had a location with better access they would probably attract more customers, but it appears image is more important than that. If I can't get to your store in a reasonable time frame, then you don't get my money, it's too much of a hassle. You can save yourself a trip and just order what you need from the website. http://dickblick.com But I usually order about 80% of my supplies through Amazon. read more

After " Three Strikes You Are Out" with BLICK, I needed to find another Art Store. I am really happy at Artist & Craftsman Supply Store. I went two days in a row and I won't be a stranger. Also I grabbed some business cards to share with other classmates. Goodbye BLICK Hello A&C!!! This is where I'll be spending my hundreds of thousands of dollars while in Art School! Thanks Christine, a manager at BLICK , for refusing to give refund. I know a policy is a policy and an unhappy customer is a thousand voices. Also want to add... if a customer asks an employee " where are the colored pencils " and the employee's reply is " down the pencil isle" and continues stocking shelves that employee may need some guidance on how to be more effective in the workplace. I would say that definitely was another reason I'll NEVER shop at BLICK or recommend to others . read more

Hand me a fro wig and call me Bob Ross! This place has more than you even know you wanted. Don't go to the front left of the store unless you have money to burn. It's like they took all the good stuff out of urban outfitters and a bookstore that aren't clothes or books and carefully curated them so that you will overload your basket. Who knew I needed a notebook with Bill Murray encouraging me on every other page along with a book about dinosaurs proclaiming that "All My Friends Are Dead." Yeah, me either. But your pocket book will know! They have all kinds of art supplies; paper goods, pens, paints, canvases, block printing, model building etc etc. The list goes on! The good news is that you get to touch everything and look at what you're buying before making a decision. Did I want the 9oz or the 3oz of aquamarine? The downside is that most of this stuff is available online for a better price if you're willing to wait for it. However, the major bonus is that's is just like Michael's Arts and Crafts but with less Mom's and screaming children. If you head inside they'll give you a ticket so you can park for 30 minutes free in the lot right outside the store. 30 minutes is just enough time to blow 25% of your paycheck so be weary if you have more time as you'll be eating top ramen if you're not careful. read more

I heart Blick. The name sounds a little dorky and weird. Especially since it's such a cool place. It's kind of like guys named Chip or Biff. You want to laugh at first, but then you realize they aren't kidding. That's really their name... and then you get to know them and they rock. Yup, it's the same thing with Blick. The frugalist in me wants to buy all of my good at Michael's & Aaron Brothers, but the quality is no contest. Blick has hard to find supplies, fun gifty items and usually decent sales. They offer discounts to students & teachers and are usually semi-helpful. I tend to just wander around and lust over the canvases and paints I can't afford to buy. Not sure if it's all in my head, but I swear the pieces I do with Blick supplies even look better. Who knows... just check it out. Grab a coffee, stroll down India St. and kick it at Blick. I'll be the one drooling in the acrylics aisle. read more