Cass Art: Quality Art Supplies at Prices Artists Can Afford

Cass Art is the UK's most visible art supply chain, operating stores across London and in major UK cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, and Bristol, alongside a comprehensive online shop that serves customers throughout the UK and internationally. Founded in 1984 by Mark Cass with the explicit mission of making quality art materials affordable and accessible to all artists, the company has maintained this founding commitment through four decades of growth, consistently offering professional-grade materials at prices that are competitive with the major online retailers.

The founding philosophy of Cass Art is encapsulated in the company's long-running campaign slogan: "Free the artist in everyone." This is not merely a marketing phrase but a genuine expression of the company's belief that access to quality art materials should not be limited by price, and that making professional-grade materials affordable is a meaningful contribution to the broader cultural health of the communities Cass Art serves.

The Product Range

The Cass Art product range is one of the most comprehensive available from any UK art supply retailer, covering oil paint, watercolour, acrylic, gouache, drawing media, printmaking, sculpture, and a wide range of supporting materials and equipment. The range covers both professional-grade materials from leading manufacturers and more accessible student-grade options, making Cass Art a practical destination for artists at every level of development.

Oil paint is one of the strongest categories, with a comprehensive selection from manufacturers including Winsor and Newton, Old Holland, Williamsburg, Gamblin, Michael Harding, and other leading brands. The oil paint range covers both professional-grade paints for serious painters and student-grade options for those who are learning or who need to work with larger quantities of paint.

Watercolour is another area of strength, with a comprehensive selection from manufacturers including Winsor and Newton, Daniel Smith, Schmincke, Sennelier, and other leading brands. The watercolour range covers tubes, pans, and sets in both professional and student grades, alongside a comprehensive selection of watercolour papers from Arches, Fabriano, Saunders Waterford, and other leading mills.

Acrylic is covered with equal depth, with a range that includes professional-grade acrylics from Golden, Liquitex, and other leading manufacturers alongside student-grade options. The acrylic range covers both standard viscosity and heavy body formulations, alongside a comprehensive selection of acrylic mediums and gels.

Drawing media covers graphite, charcoal, coloured pencil, pastel, and ink, with a comprehensive selection from leading manufacturers in each category. The drawing media range is particularly strong in pastel, with a comprehensive selection from Schmincke, Sennelier, Unison, and other leading pastel manufacturers.

The London Stores

The London stores are one of Cass Art's most important assets, providing artists in London with convenient access to a comprehensive range of professional art materials. The stores are well-organised and well-stocked, with knowledgeable staff who can provide genuine advice on materials and techniques.

The flagship store on Colebrooke Row in Islington is one of the most comprehensive art supply stores in London, with a range that covers virtually every medium and technique that professional artists work in. The store's layout is logical and easy to navigate, and the staff are genuinely knowledgeable about the products they sell.

The other London stores, located in Charing Cross Road, Kensington, and other central locations, provide convenient access for artists across the city. The geographic spread of the London stores means that most London artists have a Cass Art store within reasonable travelling distance.

The Online Shop

The online shop provides access to the full Cass Art range for customers who cannot visit a store in person. The website is well-organised and easy to navigate, with detailed product descriptions and clear pricing. The search and filtering tools make it easy to find specific products or to browse within a category.

UK delivery is fast and reliable, with orders typically arriving within a few business days. The delivery charges are competitive, and the free delivery threshold makes it practical to order regularly without incurring significant shipping costs.

The online shop also provides access to exclusive online deals and regular promotions that offer additional savings on top of Cass Art's already competitive everyday pricing. Artists who shop regularly at Cass Art can take advantage of these promotions to reduce their materials costs significantly.

Student and Education Support

Cass Art has a strong commitment to art education, providing student discounts, supporting art schools and colleges, and engaging with the broader art education community in ways that reflect the company's founding mission of making quality art materials accessible to all artists.

The student discount program provides verified students with a discount on purchases, making professional-grade materials more accessible to art students who are developing their skills on limited budgets. The student discount reflects Cass Art's understanding that the habits and preferences that artists develop during their education tend to persist throughout their careers, and that supporting students is an investment in the long-term health of the art community.

The Loyalty Program

The Cass Art loyalty card rewards regular customers with points on every purchase that can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases. The loyalty program is straightforward and genuinely rewarding, providing a meaningful incentive for artists who buy their materials regularly from Cass Art.

The Bottom Line

Cass Art is the UK's most accessible and comprehensive art supply chain, combining a broad professional range, competitive pricing, multiple London stores, and a genuine commitment to making quality art materials affordable and accessible to all artists. For UK-based artists who want access to professional-grade materials at competitive prices with the convenience of multiple store locations and a comprehensive online shop, Cass Art is one of the most important and reliable resources available.