raw materials

The new X-Acto Z-Series blades are coated with zirconium nitride, making them the sharpest, most durable X-Acto blade yet. It is, on average, seven to ten times sharper than other X-Acto blades and significantly stronger, particularly the tip. The gold hue on the cutting edge is the zirconium nitride coating that is applied at the atomic level after the blades are atomically sharpened.

You can get either a #1 blade handle with a #11 Z-Series blade and safety cap, or packs of #11 Z-Series blade refills. Each are a little more expensive than the regular #1 blade or regular #11 refills, but the blades will be sharper and last longer.

You might have heard this spot during KCRW‘s latest pledge drive. Matt Holzman, the host of Matt’s Movies, came by the store to record it and highlight what we offer to KCRW members as part of the Fringe Benefits program.

Jack Knife Easels are an innovative new folding easel made right here in Los Angeles. They are made from ½" apple plywood, and are the most compact and sturdy folding easels on the market. They are available in 24" and 36" sizes to fit a wide variety of small and large canvases and nearly any display material. These are great for painters and stable enough to sketch on, perfect for any artist on the go.

For a limited time, get a free canvas with the purchase of each Jack Knife Easel.

Check out this video that shows the easel in action (and a little taste of how it is made):

So your class list says that you need a #2 round brush. Which one? Here’s a picture of most of the #2 round brushes that we have, and you might notice that there is quite a bit of variation in both the diameter of the brush head and the length. There’s not even any consistency within each brand. The long-handled and short-handled version of Winsor & Newton’s University line alone are vastly different! (Those are the red handled brushes on the far left and seventh from the left.)

But don’t worry, we can help you pick out a brush that works for you based on what medium you are working in and how you want the brush to perform. We just wanted to warn you that it’s not as easy as just picking out the closest #2 round. (And if you’re an instructor, you might want to be a little more specific with your class list.)

We have had Winsor & Newton’s Artists’ Oilbars for a while, but they have just recently reformulated the line and we finally have in stock some of the new bars. This is an a professional-grade oil colour in stick form, which enables painting and drawing freely and directly onto surfaces. It provides you with greater buttery consistency and the richness of oil colour together with the freedom and directness of pastels or charcoal. But the oilbar is fundamentally different from oil pastels or oil crayons due to its unique formulation. The new range has a spectrum of 50 colours each of which is produced by combining artists’ quality pigments with linseed or safflower oil, blended with specially selected wax. It offers an exciting and versatile way of painting and drawing – from sketching, to sgraffito effects, whether used on its own or with tube oil colour.

We have the oilbars at 20% off every day. We just have a limited selection of colors for now, but we’re working on bringing in the full line of colors later this fall.

What’s more fundamental than a pad of drawing paper and a set of drawing pencils? This set includes a Strathmore 400 Series 9" × 12" wire-bound 24-sheet drawing pad and a Graphite Art Pencil Kit from General Pencil. The pencil kit contains three graphite pencils in grades 2B, HB and 2H, a layout pencil and an eraser. Separately, these retail for $10.40, but while supplies last get this bundle for 50% off: $5.20.

(And don’t forget about our selection of Canson XL pads and large Canson drawing pads that are also available at 50% off.)

We always thought it was a little strange that an art supply store called Raw Materials didn’t carry a line of dry pigments. There’s not many materials more raw than that. So we finally brought in a selection of pigments from Williamsburg. These specially selected raw pigments, sourced from all over the world, are the same high-quality, artist grade materials that are used to make Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors. We only have about twenty of the most popular pigments in stock at the store, but you can always special order any of the other pigments.

For a limited time, these pigments are available at 30% off.

Pebeo Studio XL Oil Colors are designed to meet the needs of contemporary artistic expression while being affordable. These oils are ideal for studies and larger works, and provide intense, permanent colors that resist thermal and photo-oxidation. They dry to the touch approximately three to six days after an average application. They perform well with a variety of techniques, from glazes to thick layers and may be used in conjunction with oil painting mediums. All of these colors are compatible with each other and offer a multitude of mixtures. They are suitable for canvas, cardboard, wood and more.

We’re as excited about these as the Pebeo Studio Acrylics, and for a limited time, you can also Buy 1, Get 1 Free of the 200ml tubes. The Studio Acrylics are also still available as a Buy 1, Get 1 Free deal, and we recently got a whole new shipment in so the racks are fully stocked!

We hate to break it to you, but the back-to-school season is upon us. To help soften the blow, we’ve brought in a stack of Canson XL pads and priced them at 50% off while supplies last.

In our back room, you’ll also find a new tower of large art pads from Canson, and they are also all 50% off for a limited time. This includes 18" × 24" pads of sketch and drawing paper, plus 19" × 25" tracing paper.

Have you seen our sparkly Buddha? We hit him up with the new Krylon Glitter Blast, and he’s surely moved just a little further along the path to Nirvana. (We didn’t paint the base that he sits on, so you can see his original color.)

This glitter spray combines real glitter with the convenience of a spray, so it’s easy to get sparkle, intensity and depth on almost any surface. It is formulated to provide full coverage and a truly three-dimensional look. It is acid-free, Styrofoam-safe and is ideal for a variety of projects. It comes in 12 colors and there is also a clear sealer spray to lock in the glittery goodness.

It’s 20% off every day, and for a limited you can get a free can of clear sealer with the purchase of two cans of Glitter Blast.