Create a vegan masterpiece with these cruelty-free art supplies

People of all ages enjoy painting, drawing and crafting while sitting down with a brush, glue stick or pencil in hand. In fact, in 2016, more than 40 million American adults engaged in painting or drawing at least once, according to research by the Association for Creative Industries (AFCI). And if you’ve ever spent time with kids, you’ll know that getting messy with colors and crafts is often a favorite activity. It’s no surprise, really. Research suggests that making art is fun and relaxing, plus it can help us develop motor skills, improve creativity and even help with things like memory.

Whether you’re already an avid artist or you’re looking to start a new hobby, if you’re looking for supplies that match your vegan standards, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite vegan brushes, paints, pencils and more to help you with your next masterpiece.

But first, why aren’t all industrial supplies vegan-friendly?

Why aren’t all industrial supplies vegan-friendly?

Although it is possible to find vegan industry supplies (as you can see below!), several products on the market contain animal products.

Paint, for example, may include ingredients such as shellac, a resin secreted by lac bugs, and carmine, a red pigment extracted from crushed beetles. Paint brushes are not always vegan, as they can be made from animal hair such as pigs or horses. If you’re a keen crafter, another product to look out for is glue, which can sometimes contain horse collagen or isinglass, which is extracted from fish swim bladders.

If you’re concerned about animal products sneaking into your craft supplies, the best thing to do is read labels and research brands before buying. But to help you out, we’ve compiled this list of some of our favorite vegan art supplies below.

Best vegetarian industrial supplies

Daniel Smith

1 Daniel Smith watercolor

If you like to make watercolors, US brand Daniel Smith, founded in the 1970s, is a great place to stock up on vegan supplies. Most of its options are vegan and cruelty-free, but the brand notes on its website that its pigment PBK9 Ivory Black is derived from animal bone, so keep an eye out for this ingredient. “As the name suggests, Ivory Black was originally created by carbonizing ivory,” explains the brand. “But now it’s made from animal bones as a byproduct of the meat industry.”
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Royal and Langnickel

2 Royal and Langnickel synthetic brushes

To create a stunning watercolor, you need the perfect set of brushes. While some are made with animal hair, synthetic brushes, like these options from Royal and Langnickel, are fairly easy to come by. You can also use them with both oil and acrylic paints.
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chalk city

3 Chalk City Chalk Set

Let’s be clear: Chalk isn’t just for kids. But this Chalk City set is designed specifically for little ones, firstly because the chalks are easy to hold, but also because they come in vibrant, eye-catching colors. Ideal for outdoor use (we’re talking patios and playgrounds), this set is also non-toxic and washable.
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Culture rushes

4 Culture is in a hurry to paint

For vibrant, fun powder paint, Culture Hustle is worth a look. All of the UK brand’s powder colors are vegan, and you can try shades like Viva Meh-Genta, The World’s Yellowest Yellow, and Phaze, which changes color from purple to pink at temperatures above 28°C. “So, if you touch it, breathe in it, or move it from cold to hot, you’ll see this incredible effect,” notes the brand.
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Natural Earth Paint

5 Natural Earth Paint Watercolor Palette

Getting the right paint is one thing, but another important part of the painting process is having the right palette. This beautiful wood alternative to Natural Earth Paint is handcrafted by local artisans in Oregon, and is completely plastic-free.
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Derwent

6 Derwent Charcoal Pencil

If you’re more of a drawer than a painter, having the right set of pencils is essential. While some alternatives may contain ingredients like non-vegan glue or wax, this versatile, long-lasting pencil from Derwent, made with natural charcoal particles, is animal-free.
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Winsor and Newton

7 Winsor and Newton oil paints

London-based art brand Winsor & Newton’s artists’ oil range has a wide selection of carefully crafted, high-quality oil paints. Most shades are vegan, but keep an eye out for Blue Black and Ivory Black, which contain animal ingredients, as do Daniel Smith’s options.
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Blue Cat Paper

8 Blue Cat Paper Banana Paper

Paper provides a perfect blank starting point for creating beautiful works of art, whether with paint or pencil. Paper is generally vegan-friendly, but, due to the amount of trees required for the industry, it is not always very sustainable. That said, you can try a variety of eco-friendly options from brands like Blue Cat Paper, which sells paper made from bananas, as well as coffee husks, hemp, and other sustainable materials. Plus, it will add an extra element of uniqueness to your design!
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Elmer’s

9 Elmer’s glue stick

As highlighted above, some glue brands rely on animal ingredients to make their products. But not Elmer! The brand’s range of glue sticks are perfect for arts and crafts. It even offers a fun kid-friendly non-toxic flavored stick.
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Saffron

10 Saffron organic crayons

Crayola’s crayons may not be vegan, but there are many animal-free options. We love this organic block crayon from Azfran, made with soy wax, soy butter, and coconut butter. This means they are not only vegetarian, but also non-toxic.
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craftamo

11 Craftamo felt tip pen

Coloring isn’t just for kids, it’s a soothing activity for adults too (as evidenced by the recent surge in demand for adult coloring books!) There are many pen vegans, but we love these brightly colored, quick-drying felt tips from UK brand Craftamo.
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Jackson’s

12Jackson’s Acrylic Paint

If you prefer water-based acrylic paint to oil paint, Jackson’s Artist Acrylic Paints are a great affordable vegan choice. The brand also sells other high-quality acrylic paints from brands such as Daler Ronnie and Amsterdam Standard. But again, watch out for Ivory Black PBK9, which is not vegan.
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