With the challenges we all face with the current economic climate we have scoured the market to bring you a range of great value products. If you are on the look out for art materials that don’t break the bank without compromising on quality then look no further. Ideal for beginners, students and professionals alike here are my top picks from the new range.

Who are Blue Acorn?

Blue Acorn is a brand dedicated to bringing inspiring materials to creative people. They’re a family run business based on the edge of the Lake District, and have over 50 years experience in the art industry. Their close knit team works alongside artists to create their range of carefully crafted sketchbooks, journals, pencils and other creative tools.

Square & Chunky Hardback Sketchbook

The Blue Acorn Square & Chunky Hard Back Sketchbook contains 190 pages of 150gsm smooth paper. The surface is great for light washes of paint as well as ink, pencil, sketching pen and brush pen. Each sketchbook has a durable hard back, cloth cover that withstands heavy usage. This is a robust sketchbook as can be seen by the strong stitching securing each page to the binding. Another nice feature of this sketchbook is the ribbon page marker which makes it easier to find your place. With its contemporary format, 25cm x 25cm (approx 10” x 10”) it’s an ideal choice for students as well as making the perfect studio journal for professional artists.

Softback Sketchbook

The Blue Acorn Softback Sketchbooks have a flexible black card cover and a sewn spine. Finished with rounded corners and a spine sewn in red thread, both these features give them an extra touch of quality and class! Each sketchbook contains 40 pages of 150gsm cartridge paper perfect for use with graphite, coloured pencils, charcoal and technical pens. I buy these for my 12 year old who thinks he looks like a ‘proper’ artist and I’m not worrying about how quickly he’s filling the sketchbook! These sketchbooks are bound in a portrait format and they lay flat which enables you to draw across both pages. Available in A4 & A5.

Watercolour Travel Journal

These watercolour journals are the ideal companion for artists seeking a durable and portable surface for painting on the go. These journals boast sturdy hardback covers, ensuring excellent protection for your artwork. Each journal contains 60 pages of high-quality 200gsm NOT texture (cold-pressed) watercolour paper that is acid-free.

The paper’s texture accepts watercolour paint beautifully, and it takes various drawing and sketching mediums well. Your artwork will remain securely in place during your travels due to the elastic closure – no more dog-eared pages! These journals are a cost-effective option, making them the most affordable hardback watercolour books in our range.

Available in A4, A5 and Panoramic (21 x 10cm) sizes each bound in a landscape format.

Watersoluble Black Fineliner

A water-soluble black fineline pen is a popular choice for artists and Urban Sketchers. The Blue Acorn Black Fineliner Pen is a superb tool for adding precise details and intricate linework. With its 0.4mm tip securely housed in a steel sleeve, this pen ensures crisp and clean results. Generously filled with black ink that flows smoothly, making it an excellent choice for writing, drawing, and sketching. Create fascinating effects by gently brushing a wet brush over your linework. The ink remains non-permanent even when dry. This is an important feature as it allows you plenty of time to complete your painting.

Pencils

The Blue Acorn Artists Sketching Pencil Sets are a fantastic choice for beginners in the world of sketching and drawing. They offer remarkable value for money whilst delivering outstanding performance.

If you are new to art these pencils are perfect for sketching, shading, and experimenting with various graphite tones. They are exceptionally durable and encased in naturally finished cedar. These come in sets of 6 or 12 with a broad range of grades in each.

View our full range of Blue Acorn products which also includes watercolour pencils, colouring pencils and travel journals.