Books and Resources to Start Strong
Starting a painting and fine art business requires both technical skill and business knowledge. These books will help you understand the market, price your work, build your brand, and manage the financial side of a creative practice.
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
This foundational book helps you reconnect with your creative practice and overcome self-doubt—essential when you’re building a business around your art. Cameron’s exercises and principles address the psychological barriers many artists face when trying to monetize their work. It’s less about business strategy and more about protecting your creative voice while scaling.
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The Business of Art by Daniel Grant
Grant covers the practical realities of selling art, including pricing strategies, gallery relationships, online sales, and copyright issues. This book is especially valuable if you’re unsure how to position yourself in the market or how to price original work and commissions fairly. It’s written specifically for visual artists, not generic business owners.
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Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
This practical guide helps you develop your artistic voice and understand how to build a following around your work. Kleon emphasizes the importance of sharing your process, building an audience, and thinking about your art as part of a larger brand. It’s useful for artists who want to grow their business through social media and direct engagement with collectors.
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Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Even though this book isn’t art-specific, it teaches a cash-management system that works well for artists with variable income. You’ll learn how to structure your finances so you actually pay yourself and can reinvest in your business. Many artists struggle with cash flow, and this method addresses that directly.
Equipment You Need
Your startup equipment costs depend heavily on your medium and style. A watercolor painter needs different tools than an oil painter or mixed-media artist. Start with quality basics in your chosen medium rather than a massive collection of mediocre supplies.
Painting Supplies by Medium
- Oil Paints: Tubes in a core color set (cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, titanium white, and earth tones). Student-grade is acceptable to start, but upgrade to artist-grade as you sell work.
- Acrylic Paints: Similar color range as oils, but acrylics dry faster and require less ventilation. Start with 24-36 color set.
- Watercolors: Professional-grade pan sets (not student tubes) give you better pigment and more affordable entry. A 24-color set covers most needs.
- Brushes: Buy 5-8 quality brushes in different sizes rather than a 50-piece cheapset. Synthetic works for acrylics; natural hair for oils and watercolors.
- Canvas and Surfaces: Pre-stretched canvas, canvas boards, watercolor paper, or specialty papers depending on your medium. Buy in bulk for better pricing.
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Shop acrylic paint sets on Amazon →
Workspace Essentials
- Easel: A tabletop or studio easel ($40-150) depending on space. Avoid cheapest versions that don’t hold steady.
- Work Table or Desk: Sturdy surface for painting, mixing, and organizing supplies. Must handle water, paint, and weight.
- Storage: Shelving, containers, or cabinets to organize paints, brushes, and materials. Good organization saves time and money.
- Lighting: Proper lighting is non-negotiable. Natural light is best, but daylight bulbs or LED panels ($30-80) ensure consistent color when working indoors.
- Ventilation: A fan or open window if using oils or solvent-based mediums. Safety and health matter when you’re working daily.
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Finishing and Presentation
- Varnish or Sealant: Protects finished work. Oil paintings need varnish; acrylics need UV-protective sealant.
- Framing Supplies: Stretcher bars, canvas wrapping, or basic frame kits. Many artists outsource custom framing but keep basics in-house.
- Packaging Materials: Bubble wrap, kraft paper, corrugated boxes, and tape for shipping finished work safely.
- Documentation Tools: Good camera or smartphone with macro lens, tripod, and neutral backdrop for photographing work.
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Optional But Useful Equipment
- Palette Knives: Essential for texture work and mixing. Different shapes serve different purposes.
- Color Mixing Tools: Palettes (ceramic, glass, or plastic), color wheels, and mixing mediums.
- Drawing Supplies: Graphite pencils, charcoal, erasers, and fixative spray for initial sketches or preliminary work.
- Masking Supplies: Masking tape, painter’s tape, and masking fluid for precision work and protecting areas.
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What to Buy First vs Later
Your initial investment should focus on core supplies in your primary medium, a functional workspace, and documentation tools. Expand later as your income grows and you identify specific needs.
- Buy First: Quality paints and brushes in your chosen medium, canvas or paper, a basic easel, work table, proper lighting, and a camera for documenting work.
- Buy First: Storage solutions to keep supplies organized and accessible. Wasted time searching for supplies cuts into production time.
- Buy After You Make Sales: Professional framing supplies, varnish, packaging materials. These are essential but you can start small and scale up.
- Buy After You Make Sales: Specialty brushes, premium pigments, large-quantity paint orders, and specialty papers. Test what your buyers want before investing heavily.
- Buy After 6-12 Months: Additional easels, backup storage, or workspace expansion. You’ll know your workflow better and can invest wisely.
New vs Used Equipment
Buying used can save money, but certain items justify the upfront cost. Art supplies have a shelf life—paint can dry out, brushes can lose bristles—so be selective about used purchases.
Buy New: Paints and brushes are not worth buying used. Paint quality degrades over time, and old brushes may be permanently damaged. Buy new in these categories to ensure you’re working with reliable materials. Canvases and specialty papers should also be fresh. Buy Used or Budget Options: Easels, work tables, shelving, frames, and studio furniture hold up well secondhand. Check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and estate sales for affordable studio furniture. Professional-grade lighting equipment is also fine used if it still powers on and provides consistent light.
Invest upfront in quality brushes and paints for your primary medium. Cheap brushes shed bristles, skip paint, and slow your work. Quality brushes last years. Similarly, good paint contains more pigment and produces better results—which directly affects your ability to sell your work at professional prices. The money saved on budget supplies will cost you in redone work and frustrated clients.
Where to Buy
- Amazon: Convenient for basics, good for bulk orders, fast shipping. Compare prices before ordering.
- Blick Art Materials: Industry standard for professional artists. Wider selection than Amazon, educational discounts available, and staff who understand art supplies.
- Jerrys Artarama: Competitive pricing, especially on paints and brushes. Good for bulk orders when you’re ready to invest in larger quantities.
- Local Art Supply Stores: Support local, ask for advice, and test products before buying. Staff can recommend alternatives if items are out of stock.
- Estate Sales and Auctions: Excellent source for used easels, tables, storage, and sometimes vintage paints or brushes worth acquiring.
- Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist: Local sellers often offer studio furniture, easels, and equipment at fraction of retail. Inspect condition before purchasing.
- Costco or Sam’s Club: If you have a membership, bulk paper and basic supplies are often cheaper. Better for consumables than specialized art materials.