Choosing the Right Art Supplies for Every Creative Project at Mangelsen’s

The Mangelsen’s Art Supply Department offers one of the most diverse selections of art supplies, professional materials, and hobby essentials in Omaha. Whether you’re experimenting with watercolors, stocking up on acrylic paints, exploring modeling clay, or building a personalized art caddy, understanding the benefits of each type of supply helps you get the most out of your creativity. Below is a guide to the top categories we carry, along with tips on how to select the right tools for your artistic style.

Popular Art Supplies & Their Benefits

From painting supplies to watercolor coloring books, clay for molding, canvases, and origami supplies, Mangelsen’s has it. But you don’t know where to start with a new hobby or what new professional art supplies to try out? We’ve got you covered.

Art Sets

There are beginner bundles, watercolor paper pads, glitter pens, and even travel-ready kits like the Royal & Langnickel Mixed Media Travel Art Set or the Royal & Langnickel Artist Premier Watercolor Painting Wooden Box Set. Mangelsen’s art set collections provide everything you need: sketching, painting, shading, and more. Art sets are ideal for gifting, learning new mediums, or building a starter toolkit without guessing which supplies to purchase individually.

Artist Paints (Acrylic, Oil, Watercolor, Wax)

• Acrylic paint options—such as Amsterdam All Acrylics—offer fast drying and versatility for canvas, wood, and mixed media.
• Watercolor paints, including compact travel watercolor kits, provide soft, fluid washes perfect for landscapes, portraits, and card-making with Strathmore Watercolor Cards.
• Oil paints, including classic Bob Ross-style palettes, deliver rich, blendable color for professional-level depth.

Choose based on your preferred look: bold & fast (acrylic), soft & layered (watercolor), or rich & traditional (oil).

Calligraphy Supplies

Master decorative lettering with calligraphy pens, nibs, and guides. Great for invitations, journaling, planners, and artistic handwriting, especially when paired with erasable pens, fineliners, or sparkly gel pens.

Canvases

Mangelsen’s carries the largest selection of canvases in town, including custom canvas, artist canvas rolls, and stretcher bar options. These allow artists to size and build their own foundations for acrylic, oil, or watercolor work.

Chalk Paint

Perfect for furniture artists, Annie Sloan chalk paint provides a matte, vintage finish ideal for upcycling projects and sustainable home décor.

Coloring Books

From themed books to watercolor coloring books, coloring encourages relaxation and creativity for artists of all ages.

Drawing & Illustration Supplies

Find Faber-Castell pencils, fineliners, charcoal, artist sketchbooks, and other specialty tools for detailed sketching and illustration. Great for students, hobbyists, and professional illustrators.

Easels

Choose from tabletop or standing art easel designs, including the Royal & Langnickel Sketch & Draw Artist Easel Set, ideal for painting sessions, studio work, or display use.

Markers, Pens & Pencils

Whether you prefer Posca Paint Markers, acrylic paint markers, dual-tip markers, alcohol markers, erasable pens, or colored pencil sets, this category empowers shading, blending, fine detail, and bold strokes across many artistic styles.

Modeling Clay

Soft, flexible clay is perfect for sculptors and crafters looking to create three-dimensional art pieces with ease. Great for kids and professional creators alike.

Office Supplies

Everyday essentials for organization, note-taking, planning, and workspace setup.

Oil Pastels

Blend effortlessly with vibrant color using soft sticks like Prismacolor Premier NuPastel Color Sticks, ideal for expressive layering and rich artistic textures.

Origami Supplies

Specialty papers and folding tools allow artists to explore the precision and beauty of traditional Japanese paper art.

Pads & Paper

From watercolor paper pads to mixed-media paper pads and artist sketchbooks, choose paper by weight and texture. Heavy papers support wet media; smooth papers suit pens and markers.

Paint Brushes

Professional paintbrushes in natural and synthetic fibers allow flawless application with acrylic, oil, and watercolors.

Paint Pouring Supplies

A true professional art supply store is curated for artists of all types, including those with unique fluid techniques that require special paints. Mangelsen’s fluid-art materials come with the ideal pourable consistency, making it simple to create dynamic, marbled effects across canvas and wood panels.

Photo Albums

Organize and display cherished memories, prints, and family keepsakes. One of Mangelsen’s flagship services!

Picture Frames

Choose from tabletop frames, wall frames, and gallery-style options for artwork, photos, posters, or crafted pieces.

Poster Boards

Sturdy boards for school projects, displays, craft shows, and large artistic compositions.

Printmaking Supplies

Find specialty inks, brayers, gouges, and specialty papers designed for hand-pulled prints and relief techniques.

Specialty Paper

Unique textures and finishes elevate drawing, printmaking, and watercolor artwork to professional quality.

Spray Paint

Artist-grade spray paints such as Montana Cans deliver high-opacity color for murals, stenciling, mixed media, and large-scale art.

How to Choose the Right Art Supply for Your Project

Choosing the perfect materials starts with understanding your medium and goals. Use the tips below to make informed decisions:

Match the Material to the Medium

• Acrylic: Best for versatility, fast drying, and bold color. Works well with canvas, wood, and mixed media. Choose from several acrylic tools, from liquid paint to acrylic paint markers.
• Watercolor paints: Excellent for transparent washes, card making, and portable setups like pochade boxes and travel kits.
• Oil paints: Ideal for slow blending and classic realism.
• Modeling clay: Perfect for tactile, 3D projects.

Select the Right Surface

• Choose canvas, canvas rolls, or panels for painting.
• Pick sketchbooks or paper pads for drawing.
• Use specialty papers or watercolor paper pads for wet media.
• Try poster boards for school or presentation projects.

Consider Your Tools

• Use paint brushes designed for your medium; watercolor brushes differ from acrylic or oil brushes.
• Go for markers or Posca Paint Markers for bold illustration and mixed media.
• Pick fineliners for precision work, or sparkly gel pens for decorative projects.

Think About Portability & Workspace

• An art easel creates a comfortable painting setup.
• A travel kit or art caddy keeps supplies organized for on-the-go creating.
• Compact items like alcohol markers or portable watercolor sets are great for outdoor sketching.

Quality Matters

Mangelsen’s is proud to carry artist-grade brands like Amsterdam All Acrylics, Faber-Castell, Annie Sloan, Montana Cans, and premium brush or paint sets from Royal & Langnickel. Professional-grade materials often last longer, blend better, and provide more vibrant color.