The best art supplies you’ve never heard of

[@OldVillagePaint]

I’m a little nervous to say but my family has been making paint since 1816 originally in Philadelphia. Its not artist paint but artists do use it. That’s 208 years now. I hate to toot my own horn but in all those years I’m the first lady to take the helm. We are Old Village Paint and we specialize in authentic historic Colours. And our Colours are highly pigmented for one coat coverage. That’s why artists can use them in their artwork. I’m learning how to paint with watercolors in my old age and love watching you.

[@KnezekArt]

Learning about long-lived, family companies like yours, who are still in business, gives me hope for the future. Thank you! 💜

[@kathytincler2446]

Nice to hear about your long lived, thriving family business! I'm learning to watercolor in my old age also (76)

[@50andCountingcom]

If you listen to those who mistakenly say you are long winded, you will lose an equal, if not greater number of us who adore your delightful dialogue with us, your faithful viewers who adore you! It makes you personable and brimming with personality. Stay true to your personality, Margot! Much love from this viewer-you remain my number one view for all things watercolor.

[@renee1292]

You're not long winded. You are engaging and informative. Love your videos!

[@KristyRice]

Oh my heavens thank you for the incredible shout out!! And yes on alll the things lightfastness 😘😘😘😘

[@Pebblesmas]

i so enjoy your brushes👍😘❤️

[@aureliafox2924]

💕💗 love you and your supplies!

[@marymoore1241]

I LOVE, LOVE your brushes Kristy!

[@DjCapnWolf]

No, Margot, do NOT shut it! Your experience, your expertise, your perspective, your insights, your opinion... are all super valuable. We come to your channel precisely for them. Anyone who doesn't like it is free to browse other channels. Nobody else in the whole world can voice your opinion, so please keep doing so at your leisure, and don't hold back. =)

[@reneeissancecolours]

Thank you SO MUCH for your kind words, I'm so happy you like my paint! I'm so thankful for the surge in orders I've received today thanks to your video! I'll try my best to have Advent 4 gold back in stock early next week

[@stroodledoodles]

Another cool thing about Zest It is that they make a solvent (which is much safer compared to something like odourless mineral spirit) that blends coloured pencils, saves you so much time having to layer and burnish :)

[@JorjaZanetta]

Rosemary & Co is absolutely amazing! The quality, the deliver... everything. I adore their brushes.

[@shirleywolf6739]

Love you Margot, you are so right about the small artist supply shop. I love them and will always support them.

[@LCLand]

Well you said it. I will have to tell my husband we need to go support the local art store…it’s 30 minutes from us. But if we must we must!! Margot said so!!

[@machelleshappyhobbies4977]

I love your videos. Those who don't like things about your channel have freedom of choice to move on. Meantime I will be here appreciating you showing me things to improve my art. Thanks Margot. Have a great rest of your week.😊

[@LCLand]

Amen on Kristys set. So joyful! 💕

[@sonjadonovan2016]

What a GREAT list. I will check them out! AND because I can no longer walk or stand for long since my "back surgery gone wrong" in 2020, I found a great local art shop, who has an online store as well, who even sells Roman Szmál watercolors (the owner is Polish himself). They even hand deliver my orders within the city and even to my 4th floor apartment, which is SO, SO SWEET. They will always have a special place in my heart ❤.

[@mafurock33]

Fluorescent yellow is one of the best things you can add to your palette!

[@akschauer]

Every time I'm in my hometown I visit the local art store and purchase something. It's definitely one of my happy places.

[@kimberlycorliss9616]

Sometimes the small shops have unique items that give me a chance to expand my creativity.

[@stephanieeggen5425]

Margot, you are just fun to watch. You are a woman owned business that sells great ideas and information wrapped in a joyful countenance. Bless you.

[@Vinnetto]

I love your breathy elaborations you don’t talk to much. The way you present the information is just as much a reason I watch you as your art itself.

[@denisespillane9242]

I am becoming addicted to your videos. You are really spot on with info, recommendations, etc. I love Zach from Art to Embers! I don’t do videos but I recommended his big palette when he first designed it. I have 2. Original and updated. He is such a heart person. You can feel his love and dedication. I got a bunch of friends to get his palettes at the time. We all love him and his work. Another treat is his drawings he includes. ❤ Ruby Mountain is a regular paint I use. I never tried the salts so now on my list too. Such nice and kind people! One to try is Art to Basics. So sweet and great colors and collaboration with artists. My most recent was their menopause palette. Lovely and makes me smile too. Happy holidays. I am a big fan now.

[@joannrabideau1657]

Hi Margot there is nothing better than going to a local art store and being able to touch and feel the supplies!! And I have several of Arts to Embers palettes and they are amazing. Thanks for another great video❤️

[@seraphinelouis1111]

I love the kremer gold watercolor.

[@entropycop]

Rochester Art Supply in Rochester, NY is a delicious example of a top-flight independent treasure trove. Head over now and catch the Lilac Festival in full swing😊

[@elizabeththompson6345]

I’m fortunate to live near three Blicks locations. And they all know my face. When I can’t find something there, like handmade paints, then my next stop is Etsy. Excellent information here, thank you.

[@MsMoniqueWilson]

Great finds - thank you! And yes to supporting local art shops and small businesses. And BTW...you are perfectly winded :)

[@sandydow5153]

Thank you Margot! I enjoy all your videos! Short or long! So informative!

[@maryrapp1315]

I ordered the Rosemary paintbrushes. Absolutely love them. Made a big difference in my watercolor painting

[@judihussey5889]

Margot YOU ARE AMAZING! Thank you

[@janarlenesogge1729]

Love my local art store. Try to buy as much as possible from them. Also nice to see they are growing.

[@lzal9204]

I’ve ordered from Arts to Embers before and they have great products! Totally recommend.

[@connietaylor3767]

I could listen to you all day!

[@JinnyCJ]

Love the Rosemary brushes, great choice and soooo nice to use.

[@Pointebrush]

I so agree!

[@peterfuchs1935]

I love the hint for the lokal art shops! It's important to safe them!

[@GabrielleCarbonneau]

Don’t shut it Margo!! Love hearing what you have to say!

[@susanpucciano6056]

I look forward to every one of your videos - the information, but even more, your personality. As someone else noted, you are perfectly 'winded' 😊

[@alisonhendry2928]

Fabulous info and support here. I LOVE Rosemary and Co. brushes. The Eradicator brushes I use to clean up edges, erase mistakes and pencil on my paper are the best and I do NOT know what I did before having them. Thank you to Louise de Masi for that info. Wind river art supply here in Texas is the ONLY uSA based supplier and have the same price point. I am excited to check out Reneeisance paints! Thank you! And the 3d palettes and the English paper… and and. 🎉 need I type more 😂? Verbose? Bring it on!!!

[@thehumanatelier]

Most of these supplies i never even heard of, thank you for sharing!

[@JessicaSmith-gd1fu]

Margot, I don't care how long you talk. I always enjoy your videos. I have lived in a rural part of central Indiana for the past 23 years. I still miss the art/drafting supply store in Roanoke, Va. Wonder if it is still there.

[@annpeters892]

You really are the cutest! I love watching and LEARNING FROM YOU! I am always smiling and can’t wait to paint more. 😎✝️🌻

[@joninieminen7301]

Color shapers are great for masking fluid. They come in all shapes and sizes too.

[@madelinegrudens]

Great list and some new things I've never heard of!! But your children are absolutely adorable!!!

[@maryalgar8779]

Great point about local art stores (and not the well known chains). This also applies to little book stores. I recently compared price of a book from Amazon vs. a small independent book store and the price was so close, I made the choice to support the small book store.

[@amypanddirtytoo1926]

Oooooo YAY! Pigment sprinkles! I have the full set of Brusho Pigment Crystals and I LOVE them so these should be so much fun!!!

[@renatarosa8163]

Thanks Margot for sharing your skin glow secret via Foreo UFO 3 !Your skin is fabulous! You inspired me to get a Foreo UFO 3 and thanks for the discount on the device !😊👍🏻

[@Pointebrush]

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It makes such a difference for me. 🙌

[@dianeo]

Thank you! Always happy to support small businesses passionate about their product. I had to order those luscious Reneessance golds and silvers... ♥

[@angelajclarkson]

Your recommendation videos are always spot on. I think Reneeissence Colours were the first handmade watercolours I purchased - absolutely beautiful and full of rich pigments. Rosemary and Co brushes are in a cart ready for me to pull the plug (food etc has priority atm 😅😅) I loved that you mentioned the problem with light fast ratings in regards to watercolours - and the joy of walking into a real brick and mortar art shop.

[@ChantelleArts]

I didn't know they know sold masking fluid remover! that's cool 🥰

[@marlenaamalfitano2727]

This is all wonderful. Do more please.

[@ladyinblack3398]

I can\ really recommend the Rosemary & Co. Eradicator brushes.

[@debbiecrowther7647]

Hi Margot! I love these art supply videos - though my bank balance doesn't! 🤣. I've had Rosemary and Co on my want list for a while now so it's a timely reminder to put in an order! And I'm going to check out the handmade paper as I'm in the UK. One for you to check out is Beam Paints - based in Canada. They are an indigenous family owned business. I've just received an order of 8 paint stones and some tiny jars of gold and indigo. That's my weekend sorted playing with them :)

[@francoisederocher]

Great Marimekko top! I love all their fabrics.

[@imogenbishop1922]

Oh my days, the ufo 3 sounds brilliant! Thanks for sharing, I deffo need that in my life 🎉

[@tonomeistolvme]

Great information, thank you. I just ordered from ReneeissanceColours, beautiful selection 😍

[@Soapartisan875]

Thank you for this informational video . All but Kristy are new to me and your recommendations I know are top notch .

[@Pointebrush]

I’m glad you enjoyed! ❤️

[@aaab469]

The watercolor paper looks amazing

[@JGSewell]

I don’t know who tells you to shut it lol but I love listening to you and could listen to you all day. I always learn things I never knew. You know so much more than anyone else I follow.😊 Like your last video about your different top art books that you made. I immediately went searching for the book about the French art store that’s no longer in print and cost $100+ lol 🤦🏻‍♀️ and the one about all the different artist from the different time periods all the way to today. Like Leonardo Da Vinci , Monet, Michael Angelo, van gough, Freda , and more. It’s so cool to actually read about their history and time period.

[@UraniaOfTheGalaxy]

Another informative and engaging video, thank you! I am fortunate to live in St Paul, Minnesota, near Wet Paint, yippee! I’ll use any excuse to go there, as it’s always the best experience!

[@ladyinblack3398]

I'm in Montana and I order from Wet Paint and St Louis art supply.

[@zoubialazebrette6029]

Internet is great for vidéos, but not for shopping ! Great of you to encourage people to visit art shops !

[@ivi122]

Your paintings are so beautiful! Can you please do more tutorials?

[@nancyloomis3046]

Thanks Margot, for sharing these independent and small businesses. I do try to buy products from small suppliers as I'm able. While not a very small business, Plaza Art, (I'd call them a regional chain..they have a store in NYC too) is the only REAL fine art supply near me in Bethesda, Md. I was saddened to see that recently, due to so much theft, they've had to put many of their brushes and other pricey items behind the counter or with more products locked up. I just feel so discouraged by this trend. No business can survive for long if they have too much unabated theft. Every item someone steals is a likely lost sale/lost inventory, and it hurts everyone. I hope that this awful trend will slow down or we will all have fewer and fewer brick and mortar stores to choose from. 😢

[@IBeLieveInChrist07]

❤❤❤❤❤❤ wish I had an art store nearby 😢

[@taliza55]

I always love your recommendations! Thanks to you, I purchased Rosemary Co red dot brushes, the soap dish brush holder, and palettes from Artsto Embers. All fabulous! I’ll definitely be checking out some of these new recommendations! Also, the shout out to our local art store was a great reminder. There’s a great one where I live and I don’t shop there nearly as much as I could.

[@roz9760]

Loved this review (and also the fact that some are made in the UK), I have ordered 6 red dot brushes from Rosemary and co today - very affordable. When I need more paper, I will try Two Rivers. In the past I have bought Roman Szmal paints based on your review and I love them. Like most people on here, I really trust your opinion, thanks once again Margo. x

[@cattuslavandula]

The pigment dust at the start of the video reminds me of Rit Dye. It behaves the same way when sprinkled on a wet surface and has unexpected colors in each dye packet as well.

[@missytrent2153]

Your videos are simply the BEST! ♥️

[@mariannevandenheuvel-artist]

Have you heard from Brusho? Can’t think of that you don’t but they have pigment powders that create similar and wonderful patterns like the powder you talked about. You can use them in different ways. Thanks for all the other companies you mentioned. I will check them out. Love the paper and the renaissance shimmering paint. Wow😳😜

[@knkjack04]

Love the review, and also love the Marimekko top!

[@gertietheduck]

Re you last point... my closest, local art shop is... Jackson's (their actual physical flagship store, which is much smaller than one would think, as they ship items from a warehouse located outside London) 😄. Bizarrely, despite their internet/KZbin fame, not that many London artists seem to know them!

[@g0atbabe107]

I fully enjoy your review videos & art supply hacks! Ive learned so much. I have 2 favorite brands for watercolors.. Roman Szmal (which you reviewed already) & Aloha Watercolors. I would love to hear your thoughts on Aloha Watercolors, which are handmade honey watercolors made locally in Hawaii. Its a small 1 person operation but her watercolors are divine. From dual-shift, shimmers to regular paints as well. Thank you kindly for your videos!

[@msgail7232]

We have no dedicated art supply stores in my state. If there is one it is not with 100 miles of me. The one we had in my area that was decades old closed during Covid. Hobby Lobby and Michaels which are craft stores are all that we have. I rarely shop at either because they don’t have what I want or need. Very, very sad to see these stores dying out. I want to touch, smell and drool over supplies as I shop.

[@ladyinblack3398]

We don't either in Helena, MT. Michael left when they still sold brand-name real art supplies, and Ben Franklin's closed when Hobby Lobby came to town and they don't have real art supplies. We are forced to buy online. Dick Blick, Jerry's artarama, Cheap Joes, Wet Paint, St Louis Art Supplies, none of them are in MT and no physical store here. So those are the only options besides Jacksons from England. "

[@lpayne91]

Don’t change Margot, I love your fun and very informative videos. I’ve just discovered another artisan paint maker called Nibs watercolours whose paints are so pigmented, granulating and gorgeous based in UK and has an Etsy shop. I have also bought gorgeous metallic and shimmery paints from iuile paints based in California and only order when I’m visiting family in USA as she ships to them for me to bring home to UK. I’ll check out renaissance as always looking for uk based makers as shipping much better to your home country lol

[@marlenaamalfitano2727]

I have those salt pigments. They are wonderful and fun. I have a lot f brushes, but I have one I almost always use

[@sarahmitchell9247]

As usual - you inspire me!!

[@cathydecker4410]

The Rosemary and Co website is extensive. Would you suggest a few of you most loved brushes? I gravitate towards rounds, although I have almost all shapes and sizes 😅

[@CeruleanCzarina]

I always enjoy your videos filled with nuggets of artistic wisdom and excellent product recommendations. My marble soap dish lives on my desk, faithfully cradling my brushes and fountain pens, thanks to one of your videos from last year. I haven’t found a brush holder that rivals it.

[@kathytincler2446]

Hi Margot. On your rec I ordered a tin of those salt sprinkles. There was only one color left and I see that it is now sold out! I messaged the company to see if/when they might restock. I hope so, these are fun!

[@chrisgreek4285]

First of all, I didn’t think you were long-winded at all - that was a huge amount of information you imparted! I have to be honest with you, I cannot draw a stick. Seriously. When my youngest was two and we were drawing together he told me “dats ok, Mommie, you twied!” Nothing is quite so soul crushing as being patronized by a human that still wears diapers. 🤣 While I was at uni, my roommate was a Fine Arts student (I was studying piano for a B. Mus.), and I adored seeing all her supplies - especially when she would unpack all the new things she had purchased over the summer. Other than being able to help each other out with our respective history assignments, I also picked up a lot of colour theory, high as WAAAAAAAY better than the Czerny finger exercises she practiced to build up the strength in her hands. So basically, I will be lurking around enjoying your videos even if I still cannot draw a stick (he is now 35 and still draws beautifully)! Hugs from Canada’s Arctic❣️🇨🇦

[@leslie-annepepin8927]

Love your videos. Two companies I recommend: one is indigenous women, Manitoulin Island, Ontario Canada. They make all their paints from what they have there. Their pallets are unique, made from trees there. They make their own paper as well. No plastic. BEAM Paints. Their colours are glorious and so creamy. The second is a company, woman, (India), called Viviva. Their palettes are made of cork. And their colours are brilliant! I hope you check them out. I have product from both and can’t say enough good about them!

[@Roslyngal]

I have these paints! Love how eco-friendly and sweet the packaging is!

[@chaoticgood8645]

Wow!! That coral and orange dress looks PHENOMENAL on you with your skin tone! Your cheeks are glowing with color and you look beautiful and even tan! I know this is off-topic from the video but I just had to tell you that you would look good in a lot of colors from the Spring seasonal color palette. Like it's so noticeable and just flatters you so well, it would be a disservice to not say something :)

[@rachelrock151]

I just love learning from you! Every video contains valuable information in such a pleasant and engaging way. Thank you!

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@KnezekArt]

Have you tried Beam Paints yet? They're an indigenous-owned small paint company in Canada. I'd love to hear what you think about their watercolors!

[@peggygillen634]

Kristy Rice’s #1 cats tongue is my favorite brush.

[@roz9760]

I like that one too!

[@evrwonderwhy]

I've used Winsor Newton professional series paints and the colors fade for sure over the years.

[@PaulaScardamalia]

I have several of ArtstoEmbers palettes. I love them. Taking one of the small travel ones with me on my trip to Alaska. I love local art stores. Just went to one while caring for grandsons in Virginia, and today in Albany. Like your local library and bookstore, important to visit regularly. Eager to try the Reneesance metallics... Thank you for all this.

[@ghoulchan7525]

Sadly there are no small local art supply stores near me. So online is pretty much my only option. Yes it sucks. And i don't recall there ever being a store for art stuff near me. Unless you count the small section at a book store. Or discount store. But both don't carry the better stuff.

[@shellypaints66]

Hi Margot, add me to the chorus of folks who love your talkative tendencies. I learn so much from you and I’m always entertained and have a smile watching you. Have you tried the Lisilinka brand of metallic and holographic watercolors from Germany? I started seeing them on my instagram feed and decided to try them out. They look lovely on white paper and I find them more vibrant than most metallic watercolors. The packaging is also quite beautiful too.

[@zornitzapetrova7339]

I have a question: is lightfastness so much dependable on UV exposure? What about fixatives with UV filters? Do they help?

[@nicolesmith1309]

Thanks for this amazing video! I visited Art Center in Memphis today and am a regular at Art Outfitters in Little Rock!

[@LCLand]

Did I miss your gold? Favorite gold powder? Can’t find

[@Deedster56]

Margot, I love these videos! I have the marble brush holder and porcelain palette from one such video from last year and am so happy I got them. I can certainly vouch for Zack at Arts to Embers! He will bend over backwards to help you out. I have some of his palettes for my Gansai TAMBI sets and love them. Thank you for all your videos, Margot. Always done with such grace and panache ❤️👏😍💫

[@MegadoseTheOutsiderArtist]

The first stuff you showed, isn't that the same as Brusho? Speaking of metallic paints, have you ever tried Csy Handmade watercolor paints? They are beautiful! I love them. Thank you for all your recommendations but especially the Zest-it! I NEED THAT AND I'M GETTING IT! lol Thank you ❤

[@usenamenotallowed]

I've bought some of Zack's 3d printed pan variations and found them excellent and extremely useful. I wholeheartedly endorse your endorsement.

[@jesmarco374]

I’ve got two-rosemary &co travel brushes the R9 mop and the R 13 long point love love them both. ❤

[@starburston8398]

Would that masking fluid cleaner work for acrylic masking fluid as well🤔

[@myrrysmiasi4866]

Love your energy and attitude!

[@lmkstamps]

Thoroughly enjoy your videos and the info you provide. I ordered some Rosemary and Co brushes, too.

[@teresanowotny681]

Just purchased two pallets from Zac. I saw more I liked for another shopping trip 😊

[@ladyinblack3398]

I wish we had a local art shop. We only have a very small ultra mini art supply shop in Helena Montana. And their prices are so high that a person with mortal income can't afford to shop there. Not to mention that they don't take customer requests serious nor the encouragement to expand into the space next to them where their previous owner had trice the space and professional art supplies. I would to see Hobby Lobby leave town because they stopped having real art supplies right after they caused the original art store to close when they announced coming to town, all they have now is China junk like "MASTERS TOUCH"

[@terrymeechan2998]

Aloha. It seems the Zest-it website is closed. Please send info on this if you know if they will be reopening or if there is some place else to get their products. Mahalo!

[@gigibenea3529]

Rosemary is pretty well known 😍

[@coldundertow]

Anyone know if Rosemary and Co. has a physical store in the UK and whether it's cheaper to buy there vs online in US?

[@Harkart59]

I love buying things from independent shops anywhere who are trying to be close to their families/children pets.....because why not support those people who see the importance of being there for your family members no matter who they are. We should all make a life where we aren't working more than communicating and enjoying those we love. Great video. thank you.