4 aesthetic shops to buy art supplies from in Mumbai

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For those who like to get paint on their hands and clothes, not just any brush will do. These specialised havens around the city for art supplies have a dizzying array of colour pencils, easels clay kits, resin moulds, and calligraphy brushes.

Artcetera, Ghatkopar

The store was set up in December 2021 by Manish Gala as an e-commerce platform and has now is a brick-and-mortar warehouse-cum-store. If you are looking for watercolour brands made up of natural ingredients and organic pigments, they're here. "A single drop of the paint can be used for a large surface," Gala says. They also stock professional brush markers for calligraphy and fine lettering, along with studio tools such as palette knives and craft knives.

Art Station, Khar

As the name suggests, this is a one-stop platform for all art materials. Ashwin Faria, Managing Director, explain that selecting art materials necessitates a consultation: "Artists need to be prescribed the medicine, aka products that will suit them," he says. The original store, set up seven years ago, is at Four Bungalows in Andheri, and the flagship store is in Khar road. Art supplies are sourced from the US, UK, Italy, and France, and you can find premium acrylic paints, beechwood easels and Daler-Rowney brushes. They also have an academy, Creative Jack Institute of Art and Crafts, and a studio where workshops and courses are held regularly.

Rafat Shaikh Arts, Bandra

This resin artist started her store in the beginning of 2020 to cater to her ilk. Shaikh, who primarily creates eight to nine feet resin artworks, supplies materials such as high-grade glitters, handmade resin molds and crystals. There's also a website where you'll find sparkly crushed glass chips, pigment powders, and gleaming holographic sheets.

Janata Stationery and Arts, Borivli

It started as a regular stationery store in 1959 and gradually grew to sell design tools and equipment used in fine arts, architecture, fashion and jewellery designing. The main store is in Bandra, but they have 11 outlets across the city. The cosy, compact stores also have a variety of gifting options and hobby materials.