Jackson's Art Supplies: The UK's Most Trusted Online Art Retailer
Jackson's Art Supplies has established itself as the most trusted and respected online art supply retailer in the UK, building a reputation over more than two decades for competitive pricing, rigorous product testing, and an informative blog that has become one of the most valuable free art education resources available to British and European artists. Founded in 1998, the company operates primarily as an online retailer from its London base, serving professional artists, students, and educators across the UK and internationally with a comprehensive range of fine art materials.
What distinguishes Jackson's from other online art retailers is the genuine expertise behind its product selection and the quality of the information it provides to customers. The company employs artists and art materials specialists who test products thoroughly before adding them to the catalogue, and the product descriptions on the Jackson's website reflect this genuine knowledge. When Jackson's describes the handling characteristics of a particular oil paint or the absorbency of a watercolour paper, the description is based on actual testing rather than manufacturer claims.
The Jackson's Blog
The Jackson's blog is one of the most valuable free art education resources available to UK artists, covering art materials, techniques, artist profiles, and art history with a depth and quality that rivals dedicated art education publications. The blog has published thousands of articles since its launch, and the archive covers an extraordinary range of topics relevant to professional artists.
Product reviews and comparisons are the most popular content on the blog, and they reflect the same rigorous testing approach that informs the company's product selection. Jackson's reviews compare products from multiple manufacturers side by side, testing them under controlled conditions and reporting the results honestly. These reviews are genuinely useful for artists trying to choose between competing products, because they provide specific, comparative information rather than general impressions.
Technique articles cover a wide range of painting and drawing techniques, from basic introductions to specific media to advanced approaches to particular subjects. These articles are written by artists with genuine expertise in the techniques they describe, and they provide the kind of specific, practical guidance that helps artists develop their skills.
Artist profiles and interviews feature both historical artists and contemporary practitioners, providing context for understanding different artistic traditions and approaches. The profiles of contemporary artists are particularly valuable, giving readers insight into the working methods and material choices of artists whose work they admire.
The Product Range
Jackson's stocks a comprehensive range of fine art materials covering every major medium and discipline. The oil painting range is particularly strong, with an extensive selection of paints from leading manufacturers including Winsor and Newton, Old Holland, Michael Harding, Williamsburg, and Gamblin, alongside a comprehensive range of mediums, varnishes, and supports. The range covers everything from student-grade paints suitable for learning to the finest professional-grade materials used by exhibiting painters.
The watercolour range covers paints from Schmincke, Daniel Smith, Sennelier, Winsor and Newton, and other leading manufacturers, alongside a comprehensive selection of papers, brushes, and accessories. Jackson's is one of the best sources of watercolour papers in the UK, stocking papers from Fabriano, Arches, Saunders Waterford, Hahnemuhle, and other leading mills in a range of weights, textures, and sizes.
Printmaking supplies are an area of particular strength, with Jackson's offering one of the most comprehensive printmaking ranges available from any UK retailer. The range covers etching, lithography, screenprinting, woodcut, and relief printing, with inks, papers, tools, and equipment for each discipline. This depth of coverage makes Jackson's the go-to source for professional printmakers in the UK.
Canvas and supports include a wide range of pre-stretched canvases, canvas rolls, linen, and panel supports, alongside the primers, grounds, and sizing materials needed to prepare custom supports. The canvas range covers both economy options suitable for practice and professional-grade linen canvases for finished work.
Pricing and Value
Jackson's is known for competitive pricing that makes professional-grade materials accessible to artists who might otherwise find them prohibitively expensive. The company achieves this through efficient operations, direct relationships with manufacturers, and a business model that prioritises volume and customer loyalty over high margins on individual transactions.
The free delivery threshold for UK orders makes it practical to order regularly without incurring significant shipping costs, and the company's international shipping rates are competitive for European customers. The combination of competitive pricing and low shipping costs makes Jackson's one of the most economical sources of professional art materials for UK and European artists.
Artist discounts are available for professional artists, art educators, and students, providing additional savings on an already competitive price structure. The discount program reflects Jackson's commitment to supporting the professional art community and making high-quality materials accessible to artists at all career stages.
Customer Service and Returns
Jackson's customer service is consistently praised by customers for its responsiveness and genuine knowledge. When customers contact Jackson's with questions about products, techniques, or materials compatibility, they receive answers from people who understand art materials at a professional level. This expertise makes the customer service genuinely useful rather than merely transactional.
The returns policy is straightforward and customer-friendly, reflecting the company's confidence in the quality of its products and its commitment to customer satisfaction. Artists who receive products that do not meet their expectations can return them without difficulty, and the company's response to problems is consistently professional and fair.
The Bottom Line
Jackson's Art Supplies is the most trusted and comprehensive online art supply retailer in the UK, combining competitive pricing, rigorous product testing, an informative blog, and genuine customer service expertise to create a resource that professional artists across the UK and Europe rely on. Whether you are sourcing professional-grade oil paints, specialist printmaking supplies, or high-quality watercolour papers, Jackson's provides the selection, quality, and value that serious artists need.