Wandering around Cowling and Wilcox makes me long to be an arty type, someone with some real…read morecreativity that could put all these chalks and canvases to goo use. Unfortunately I never got much further than the Blue Peter school of glitter glue so a lot of the stock in this shop goes a bit over my head. Sticking to what I can understand, Cowling and Wilcox has a really nice card and gift selection with a bit more personality than anything you'll find in Clinton's. The writing sets are particularly stylish although they can be quite expensive. Similarly, they have a great selection of Moleskin diaries and books but these can cost anything upwards of £15. On the other hand they have a great selection of arty presents for kids which all seem very reasonably priced and a lot of fun too for that matter! I defy anyone to be too old for face-paints. Cowling and Wilcox is a lovely shop which is well worth a look around if you're in need of anything a bit arty or looking for a more personal present for that difficult someone.

I could spend hours in art shops. I always end up spending a fortune. It is just something about…read morenew paper and sketch books and paints. Mindlessly wandering through the store, picking up colourful bottles and textured paper. The mind can run wild with new ideas. Cowling and Wilcox is a huge store situated on Shoreditch High Street. They have everything from portfolios, to canvas, paints, spray paint, paper, printer ink cartridges and much more. A light and airy shop pack fill of supplies all organised clearly on shelves and stands making for easy spending. It is a little on the expensive side, however the quality and quantity of supplies is impressive. Especially if it is a final year portfolio or important presentation. To top it off the staff are very helpful and inspiring if stuck for colour choices or alternative solutions to presentation.

My girlfriend is a designer/artist (I believe there is a subtle difference) which inadvertently…read moremakes me a design critique and art supply carry horse. After traversing London and trying out London Graphic Centre and Atlantis for supplies, it was now the turn of Cass Arts to be scrutinised for inexpensive quality goods. We ventured to the flagship store in Islington which is laid out over three artsy feeling floors. First thing is that Cass Arts is the cheapest out of the three major art stores due to the sheer amount of deals and offers they run. They have good quality easels starting from £10.95, all manner of writing, drawing, painting implements and the parchment to decorate starting from less than a pound. For sheer range of product although impressive, they do not quite reach the dizzy heights of London Graphic Centre or Atlantis. The Islington store is new and not only claims to be the biggest store in Cass Arts portfolio but the largest arts store in London. Hmmm! Whether this is true is debatable. The Islington branch seems to have made a healthy start with helpful staff and stunning discounts. I also applaud their drive to encourage younger Londoners to explore their artistic selves by offering them free art goody bags.

This is Cass Art's flagship store, and 'London largest art store' spanning over 3 floors in a…read moreconverted warehouse building. This particular shop in Islington is very well designed, and with lots of airy space. It is also off Essex road, tucked in a much quieter street which makes the shopping experience slightly merrier. The unfortunate thing with most art products is that they can be expensive, especially for struggling students who wont necessarily be able to afford. Cass Art prides themselves with the best materials and the best prices. And even better if you're a student as you can get a card which entitles you to 15% off on most products. There are also always special offers about where a decent selection of products are slashed down to half price. Each of their central London shops holds over an impressive 20, 000 good quality art products. They are a shop which 'believe in art' and you have a strong sense of that as soon as you enter the shop. This is reflected from how everything is laid out, the attentiveness to the products they have, and their staff, who are all extremely knowledgeable with art and all seem to hold a passion for it. A highly reliable store which never seems to let you down!

If you need a stationary in Fulham, Perry is the place to go. It is a place where you can look for…read morehours for new ideas and discover different ways of binding, painting techniques, paper quality. I sometimes have a hard time what I actually need and not need. Always ask for student discount. I would not buy their expensive ink cartridges. However, there unique selling point is that you can send a fax! Who would have thought I would use fax in our generation of technology - but that time it was urgent and the only solution. You are also able to do photocopies: both - black & white and colour prints. The owner is very kind - if you need something specific, you could ask him to order it for you, it might take a couple of days but is less hassle. They are specialised in sketchbooks and lots of sketching paper - the worst thing, which can happen to a student running out of paper at the weekends. Note: Perry's is open on Saturdays only!

I don't really come into places like these very often nowadays. I am not a child, an artist or…read moreBanksy. Actually, scratch that last bit, what do you know, I might be. Either way, I just don't really use stationers much now. That being said, I still love their specialism and their smell. This one is a pretty good example of the breed, lots of stock, pretty decent collection of art and graphics materials plus they also sell a bit of office furniture (machines) and computer supplies. Comprehensive and reassuringly busy most of the time.

Really great art supplies shop, they have anything and everything you could want…read more Look out for their sales and special offers, they recently had 2 for 1 on tins of paint. They have a great stock of pencils, frames, paints, canvases, and art sets. They also have an amazing selection of fabric paints. A must visit if you're an artist, or just enjoy pretending to be Rolf Harris. Can you guess what it is yet?

I really love this art store. It's got everything you would need / want art wise…read more The whole shop is laid-out pretty well and the staff are really helpful and friendly. There are often deals instore and, I must say, there is a great selection of charcoals and pencils, which is what I always use anyways. I'd highly recommend this if you are at art school, an art buff or you just want to pick up a pencil and start drawing.

This is probably one of the largest art store in London. It doesn't look great, it's a non…read morewelcoming basement that is a bit difficult to find but not impossible thanks to many signs. Prices are better than in some of the other shops: you can get a lot of deals, student discounts if you have the card to prove it. They have a large range of paper in big & smaller sizes, every type of paint (watercolor, oil, acrylic, handprint, screen print,...). Everything you need to work from pencils to large canvas, brushes to tools to sculpt or make book binding.

Received my paper order today and I'm so impressed with the packaging! It was packed perfectly, not…read morea dent or dog ear in sight. I've ordered paper from other shops, and it's usually always a bit damaged. Jacksons had to re-send my order 4 times before it arrived in adequate condition. Fabulous service from Atlantis!

A colorful tiny shop where you can find lovely people to help make some art! They have a good range…read moreof paint product for oil, watercolor, hand printing, ceramic, acrylic... and the brushes to go with. You can also find a good selection of pencils and drawing materials. They have a large range of paper and you will be able to make it cut to your size if you ask politely! They also do frames for your project, with any type of color, wood, background, size that you want. Or products for sculpture like carving tools and I think I saw a beginners kit for screen printing &/or hand printing. Anyway, it's a good tiny shop, just next to my place with very helpful people inside. What else could I ask for? p.s: you can have a look at all the flyers if you're in need of arty things to see or do in London.

This lovely shop has everything an artist needs, with extensive ranges of paints, paper, brushes,…read moredrawing materials etc. They also house a framing service, or you can buy your own framing materials. The staff are helpful and knowledgeable. For instance I once needed US Letter sized paper. They didn't have it, but were able to cut some very nice paper to size for me. Prices are reasonable. They also act as a centre for the local art community: they have a great notice board for exhibitions, art models, art courses etc. I rather like the bright cheerful pictures they paint on their windows too! Definitely recommended: they even have parking for those coming by car! Their website is http://www.paintworks.biz

A small but highly stocked artist materials shop, with a framing service on the first floor…read more I've always visited to use the framing service, which is good and reasonably priced. They have a selection of ready-made frames as well. The artist shop has a very wide choice of materials and makes, and they also sell greeting cards and stationery. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable.

Fielders is the nearest art shop to Wimbledon College of Art. It's OK if you need to get the odd…read moreitem but if need a good few things i would personally make the effort to travel to Atlantis in the east end. They do have some oils and acrylics but the best quality ones they offer are Georgian oils, they have quite a good selection of brushes but it's better if you're more of a crafts person. They have loads of paper choices, pens, drawing materials etc. They also have lots of craft items like beads, card, glue and more. They also sell some nice gift cards. The prices are quite good but again if you're on a budget make the effort to go to Atlantis as the prices are slightly cheaper.

I love all the Cass art stores, I've never had a bad experience. Charing Cross is quite a small…read morestore and usually very busy, or so I've found, possibly because it's right next to the portrait gallery. Staff are excellent and friendly, and very help when it came to choosing some different paper types.

This place rules. The prices on professional quality art supplies are great and the selection is…read morereally good, especially considering the shop's small size. They basically cut out the crap and sell the good shit actual artists want at a decent price. They do still carry nicer student watercolors (like Cotman) if you just want something to mess around with out in the city but professional level isn't what you're after.