We've Got to Talk about Arteza and Other Budget Art Supplies

I have reviewed a lot of art supplies over the years. some good, some bad but it's always nice to find good quality at a low price but times are changing.

Over the past year, I've noticed big inconsistencies in budget art products from slight formulation changes to products changing completely from what I reviewed in previous years, and in most cases, the prices have increased and the quality has diminished. there has been a lot of talk about the new Arteza pencils this week and I am certain they are not the same pencils I reviewed in the past. Let this video be a warning about buying budget art products.

What are budget art supplies? These are supplies sold cheaply on amazon or in art and craft stores made by new companies, craft companies, or even big-name art companies under a "kids" or "student" range line. These are made in China or other developing Asian countries. This does not make them bad necessarily but the company does not control the quality as they rely on picking products that these factories already produce. Because of this, the product can vary without the seller knowing it.

Below are the criteria for a professional art supply:

*Products made in their own factory (or by a reputable company that had the other criteria I am mentioning such as DaVinci who is it's own reputable company and white labels for other fine art companies such as American Journey)

*The company does proper lightfast testing verified by ASTM or Blue Wool Scale

*Company does its own independent R&D

*Open stock or refills available

*In paints, pigment info is available

*Product quality is consistent from batch to batch and year to year

*Company has been around for decades

The above criteria warrant the higher price tag. I think budget grade pencils should at most be $30 for a 72 set if they are really good whereas a 72 set of artist-grade would be around $100 and up.

Links to people I mentioned:

#thefrugalcrafter #watercolor #art
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Follow along and have fun!

*This post may contain affiliate links

[robot]

"Drama in the coloured pencil community" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 you kill me!

[violettahaven]

While I'm not a fan of Arteza products, I'm glad to see you took the high road with less drama on this issue.

[lmdi]

So much lost in the world and this is just one more. I guess, in my usual Pollyanna mindset, I'll just be grateful that I went nuts for years buying art products and have a very good stash of all the "old" products.

[Obsidian_Iris_]

This is why I check your channel for a review when I want to buy art supplies. Your knowledge of both the products and the industry is unmatched. There aren’t a lot of people who have the contacts you do. You’re also unfailingly fair and thorough in your assessment. Thank you for being the moderating voice. I wonder if it’s feasible to have companies include the identity of the manufacturer for each batch of product. That’s probably wishful thinking. Thanks again, Lindsey.

[jewelsauls]

Thank you for a balanced look at this situation. I've only had good products from Arteza and don't really understand all the anti-Arteza sentiment out in YouTubeLand! I agree with your evaluation of the shipping and manufacturing situation caused by the pandemic. Everything should be viewed in context.

[portman]

THANK YOU! Finally. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to be fair with this. All I have seen is hate so far and it’s so I’ve and refreshing to see you being so honest and understanding and actually explaining what the issue is. I’ve been so confused because I love my Arteza products. It’s great to hear that they have just made a mistake when trying to choose a new emergency supplier. Your honesty and integrity (and your creative genius) are the best! Love your channel! Thank you!

[rhondita]

I don’t have money to burn, but I’ve found that I can spend way more on cheap budget brands that don’t satisfy rather than splurging one one artist set if you save up and wait for a good sale. I then might get a student set for a back up or to practice. That seems to work better for me these days. At least for something that is important to me. Something that I’m only going to use occasionally, like the acrylic pens you just reviewed- I’m all for a budget option!

[Canadianrobin]

That’s a shame. Good quality, budget friendly art supplies are wonderful to have on the market as a lot of people don’t sell their art. What a great non-judgmental, explanatory video.

[ntaylo]

Thank you for the length of explanation. You are the bomb and so nice. I will take nice over mean any day.

[melindareames]

Thank you for putting this controversy in context. I appreciate your perspective. It helps me be a better consumer and a better artist. I jumped right in with Full sets of Polychromos and Prismacolors and Albert Durer. I am blessed to be able to afford quality products and have full set syndrome ! I appreciate your describing the product and the features of the product knowing that it is truly about what you as an artist like to use.

[flychk]

I have noticed that in the last week I'm getting a LOT of suggestions for videos about Arteza pencils and the issues folks are reporting. And, don't worry Lindsay, if you told me something was great and I ran out and bought some and it was trash, I would definitely think...I just don't know how to use this stuff. LOL!!! We know You would never knowingly lead us astray.

[johnbatt]

Finally !!! A voice of sanity crying out in the wilderness.

[barbarabass]

This is a bit off subject, but I bought the Arteza alcohol markers (120 set) because you said they were good for the price. I love them but was missing some of the lighter colors. Well when the pastels came out I jumped on them immediately. They are just what I was missing and I so love them. I’m just a hobbiest so no claim to fame but I do enjoy creating and have found alcohol markers to be a favorite medium. Thanks, Lindsay, for all your expert and honest evaluations. They are so helpful.

[amherst]

You are such an impeccable source of information for all of us less-informed amateurs -- thanks as always for sharing your expertise ❤️

[lanabedae]

Amazon is notorious for having counterfeit products mixed in with legitimate products. I know Arteza has their own web store, I would wonder what would happen if you ordered those same pencils directly from the supplier?
Looking at their website there are a few bad reviews so maybe it is indeed just a bad factory; however, I'm not sure if those buyers bought from amazon and left a review on the company's website.

[elysef]

Off topic but your open sketchbook in the background looks so awesome!

[cassfonnesbeck]

Thanks! I know i can count on you to be objective, honest, thoughtful and kind.

[alyciawieler]

There was the same issue with Prisma colors when they moved down to Mexico it was I believe. They we were just awful, but shortly they improved again. people forget how to be gracious when things like this happen.

[NaomiCoutureArt]

I have not tried the Arteza products so I cant comment on quality. Price wise though, your comment about paying a few more bucks and getting a much better quality product are so true!

[HandcraftedbyCarrie]

I’ll chime in with some of the other commenters who expressed that they appreciate your very level response to this drama. I think some of it has been a bit overkill on other channels. I honestly don’t have an opinion on Arteza because I haven’t tried their products. I had seen some really great reviews and had planned to order but when I went and I saw that their prices were within 10 to 20 Dollars depending on the day of prisma color I haven’t bothered ordering. I think that’s what gets me is that their prices have went up but apparently not the quality.