Blick Art Materials

What a fun find! We were walking around Little Italy after lunch when we stumbled upon Blick. (We had paid for two hours of parking, so I was determined to stay for a full two hours!) Something caught my eye in the window, and I had to check it out. The front of the store is filled with fun randomness, perfect for souvenirs for the kids! Thinking I would be paying a premium for a b&m store, we scanned the bar codes with the Amazon app. Surprisingly, Blick was the exact same price! So we went home with stickers and bookmarks and sidewalk chalk stencils all for the same price as Prime. I can’t speak about their art supply prices though. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, as well as super helpful. Found out there’s even a location in OC! The kids loved their souvenirs and they didn’t have to wait for 2 day shipping. Thanks, Blick!

*Dick* Blick is a great store (why did you drop the Dick from your name? Are we in middle school again? Do you not want the word dick in the middle of little Italy? I’m so confused by this.)
This location is quite small. Everything is *super* expensive compared to their online prices. I only come here when I need individual items that I can’t wait to be shipped… Like a single jar of paint. A single paint brush. Etc. If you’re going to spend big bucks, do it at a mom and pop art store, or online. The mark up at this store is ridiculous. $$$$$$$
The other day an employee was helping me figure out what brand colored pencils to buy. He told me that the dick Blick brand was artist quality, and *better* than prismacolor… I get that it was his opinion– but, oh boy was he wrong. I bought 2 prismacolor and 3 blicks. I threw the blicks into my box of crayolas that my toddlers use. I decided on the PC, so I ordered the 48 set (from Amazon, sorry not sorry, it was $ 30 cheaper). Weirdly enough, the core in the pencils I bought in the store were way harder and the consistency was not as smooth as the ones I got in my set. I’m not sure if it has something to do with storage (maybe the individual pencils I bought in the store have been on display too long? Humidity? Idk. But the ones I bought here are a noticeably lower quality. Weird. Annoying. Whatever. I only bought 2.)
I decide my rating based on 5 things– you either pass (star) or fail (no star). Add them up. That’s my rating.
Customer service, star
overall quality, star
selection, no star
price equals quality, no star
Will I come back, star (only cause I love wandering the aisles looking at all th beautiful supplies I can’t afford, and cause I need that one brush)

Looks like their prices have made a huge leap.
Once we came here and a van was illegally parked in front of their parking regulation sign so we got a ticket bc we didn’t see it and a snotty attitude when we were confused and mentioned there was a van parked in front of their «BIG SIGN.»
Now they have no bathroom and we can only park and shop for 30 minutes– any longer than that and we have to rotate parking passes every 30 minutes or have their vulture parking enforcer rabidly leap upon our car gnawing on it and cramming tickets under the windshield wipers.
Boyfriend was about to buy a bunch of stuff but we left bc we needed a restroom and decided the parking annoyance wasn’t worth it.
Probably will start using amazon– prices are better, parking isn’t an issue, no rude employees, and I can use the restroom without crappy excuses. It sucks bc I used to like this store. Booo.

I had a long shopping list for a class I’m taking, and the store is huge, and I would have been there for hours if an employee hadn’t come to my rescue to lead me around the store to gather everything I needed. Great experience, the store has an amazing selection, and just to review, the customer service is outstanding.

Friendly staff and all very knowledgeable. They have literally everything there. I do cosplay and painting so this is my go to place for all supplies:)

We’ve been going to Blick’s for art supplies for almost twenty years. Easily the best selection in San Diego, a city not known for these kind of stores.
I read a lot of whining about the parking. First of all, they have their own lot on India Street which is rarely full. It’s a bit tight getting in and you have to back up to get out. If driving in reverse makes you uncomfortable, try arriving during off-​hours and find street parking. Off hours = When they open. I always find parking within a block, even now that Little Italy has become a Restaurant magnet. Don’t go there on Saturdays because of the Farmers Market takes up all the parking in the whole area.
The store has a good selection of materials. We buy Acrylic Paint, brushes, canvases, frames, paper, colored pencils, mechanical pencils, felt tip pens, etc. Prices are fair. I suggest you get a Blick’s Card and then they send you 20% or 30% off coupons, plus special promotions.
What I don’t like is that the in-​store prices and their internet prices can vary wildly. Example: Went to the store today to buy a 9 mm Pentel Mechanical Pencil. Price in store was $ 21.99, price on-​line $ 7.99. Always, always check the prices on-​line before going to the store. Also there are many items not in the store that are on their web site.
Another thing I don’t like is the attitude of some of the employees. For the most part they’re helpful and friendly, but evidently there are some working there who think that this type of work is beneath them and so are the patrons who shop there. I really don’t like it when someone talks down to me when I ask about drafting supplies and I was working as a draftsman before they were born.
Last word: If you need Art Supplies, this is the best of the three choices available in San Diego.

I’ve ordered online from Dick Blick before but I didn’t realize there was an actual store. I lost my sketchbook and I came here to get a new one. I love, love, love this place! I could spend hours in here! The store has a spacious first level and a small second level. So many different art items– paints, paper, canvases, brushes, books. You name it, they have it! The employees were very helpful too. If I lived in San Diego, I would definitely become a regular here.

Last month I went to the Blick store to get some photos printed as it was their 50% off sale on printing and framing. The manager, Greg, assisted me. In the past, I have done my own printing, so I was a little skeptical. The photos were magnificent! I was impressed and I’m a retired professional. Greg also assisted me in picking a frame and working up a price at the 50% off sale price. I also used to frame my own, but a tiny downtown apartment prevents me from doing that. Greg was VERY professional and knowledgeable, along with being friendly and providing more information than I asked for, which I greatly appreciated!
I had had a bad experience with another national framer, but I wanted to compare Greg’s prices with another store, which I did. The person that helped me (at the other store) was NOT professional, gave me the wrong prices at first and told me that the sale prices were only for certain frames, which was very limited, which I felt was a «bait and switch». I would not go back to that store again.
Because of the way I was treated by Greg, at Blick, along with reasonable prices, I decided I will have my framing done there. I know they will do a professional job and I’m already sold on the quality of the photos they did for me.

Kristina Tran’s eye for detail and ability to find the perfect matting and frame to compliment and highlight my decades old photo is amazing! Her professional expertise is evident in all the work she has done for me.
My classic Gumby and Pokey photo was signed by Art Clokey, the creator of these iconic figures, who made their first appearance on the Howdy Doody Show in 1956.

I went on a hunt for a specific pencil for my son, animation major. I know nothing about this field. Michael, an sales associate was SO HELPFUL AND EXTREMELY polite. He had a handful of material in his hands when I asked him for help. The pencil I needed was out of stock. THAT DID NOT STOP MICHAEL! He looked at the boxes of inventory at the top of the shelves and conducted a search and FOUND THE PENCIL I NEEDED!!! My son attends CSU Long Beach and is down here for the weekend. Michael SAVED THE DAY and now we do not have to hunt around Long Beach for this pencil! YOU DA MAN MICHAEL. THANKS!

After «Three Strikes You Are Out» with BLICK, I needed to find another Art Store. I am really happy at Artist & Craftsman Supply Store. I went two days in a row and I won’t be a stranger. Also I grabbed some business cards to share with other classmates. Goodbye BLICK Hello A&C!!! This is where I’ll be spending my hundreds of thousands of dollars while in Art School! Thanks Christine, a manager at BLICK, for refusing to give refund. I know a policy is a policy and an unhappy customer is a thousand voices.
Also want to add… if a customer asks an employee «where are the colored pencils «and the employee’s reply is «down the pencil isle» and continues stocking shelves that employee may need some guidance on how to be more effective in the workplace. I would say that definitely was another reason I’ll NEVER shop at BLICK or recommend to others.

What happened to this place? Customer service embarrassing. The staff are all young 20-​somethings who could use more training in customer relations. The guy at the front desk could not be bothered to get up from his chair to answer my question. The staff tends to congregate together and socialize about personal stories, in full hearing & sight range. As a customer I don’t need to hear that, really. Where is store management? You should be ashamed. Or do you really care in the first place?
I asked a very nice young lady about some blue pencils and if they were water-​soluble or not. Rather than researching for me, she stood there and shrugged. I should have just followed my first instinct and googled the answer, myself.
Each time I shop here it seems worse. There is an unwelcome attitude about the place. Don’t get me wrong, they do approach and ask if you need help, but then drop short after that.
I spent $ 100s here over the past few years and they can’t even provide a restroom, as my drive is an hour away. After asking one gentleman about using the restroom, he pointed out the front door to the local restarants. I wondered how I was going to leave the store, move my car from the parking lot, find which restarant to enter (even though I was neither hungry or thirsty), order something just so I could use their restroom? Speaking of parking, would it hurt to post signage letting patrons know you need a parking pass to park in the lot? How am I to know this?
I visited the store last friday (Aug 7) to stock up on art supplies. I filled my basket and shopped for over an hour. As time went on I became more and more dissappointed and finally just walked out. I left without buying the items and intend on shopping elsewhere from now on. Unfortunately, they no longer need my business.

This is a great little art store located in Little Italy. They have great customer service and they take the time to listen to what you need and to answer any questions you may have. Instead of telling you more expensive items they suggest to you less expensive items that you may need to get you started on a project.

My favorite art supply store in San Diego.
1. It’s close to my house!
2. They have EVERYTHING you need for your art-​making thing.
3. Look for deals! They have a great one right now (I think it’s still happening now.? lol) — 50% off canvases and paints! HOLLA!
4. Word of caution: you will spend more time than you need to here, so look for a parking spot that’ll suit you.
5. The workers are super chill and know their art. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance!
6. I love that they have huge plastic bags so you don’t have to carry your canvases out and get them dirty.
7. This is probably the first brick and mortar store that I like compared to their internet shop. aka, upgrade your website, blicks!
8. It’s close to a lotta food, so if you need a break from your art shopping, visit their neighbors for gelato or ramen to revamp.
9. It can get crowded and if it does, their aisles are tiny. fyi.
It’s super cute, huge, packed, and convenient! You’ll probably end up buying a lot of stuff that’ll collect dust on your bookshelf. Like I did. Still gonna go back though.

I dropped in today looking for a few acrylics and walked out with two bags full of literally everything you need for painting. The manager was very helpful and has the store in pristine condition. Kristine walked me through the basics and went above & beyond to assist me.
A lot of people come in here with their expectations through the roof because of all the inventory Blick has. But it helps to have an idea of what you want before you come in AND don’t flip out when they’re out of stock. Be nice bitches. Parking is tough but Blick isn’t to blame. Just keep your eyes open and be patient.
Thanks Blick!!!

I love this store and usually the people are very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately I had a bad experience with one of their employees named David.
We parked at the Blick parking lot and we know that we need to get a ticket when we go in the store. When we walked in there was a prize wheel and we got distracted. The lady running with prize wheel was very nice and friendly. :) After we got our stuff and were talking with a friend, I realized we didn’t get the parking validation ticket so I asked David who was at the checkout for help.
It went very closely like this:
I asked «Oh, I think we forgot our parking ticket». David: «You grab one before you start shopping.» Me: «I think we are almost done but can I get one?» David: «Well, if you are almost done then it wouldn’t really matter at this point would it?» I was kind of shocked so I said, «I guess not.» He was very rude and condescending.
We asked another employee and he happily gave us a parking validation ticket. I would rate it 5 stars because the store is awesome but that really bummed me out. :/

Hand me a fro wig and call me Bob Ross!
This place has more than you even know you wanted. Don’t go to the front left of the store unless you have money to burn. It’s like they took all the good stuff out of urban outfitters and a bookstore that aren’t clothes or books and carefully curated them so that you will overload your basket.
Who knew I needed a notebook with Bill Murray encouraging me on every other page along with a book about dinosaurs proclaiming that «All My Friends Are Dead.» Yeah, me either. But your pocket book will know!
They have all kinds of art supplies; paper goods, pens, paints, canvases, block printing, model building etc etc. The list goes on!
The good news is that you get to touch everything and look at what you’re buying before making a decision. Did I want the 9oz or the 3oz of aquamarine? The downside is that most of this stuff is available online for a better price if you’re willing to wait for it.
However, the major bonus is that’s is just like Michael’s Arts and Crafts but with less Mom’s and screaming children.
If you head inside they’ll give you a ticket so you can park for 30 minutes free in the lot right outside the store. 30 minutes is just enough time to blow 25% of your paycheck so be weary if you have more time as you’ll be eating top ramen if you’re not careful.

If you can’t find it at Blick, it probably doesn’t exist. This place has everything you need for your DIY Pinterest projects and for the more serious artists. I got a certificate framed here, and was a bit shocked at the cost. Be on the lookout for promotions and discounts, because I was about a week late to Blick’s 40% off frame sale. As expected, my certificate was framed beautifully, and since materials were already in stock, it was completed in less than a week. I was told it would take about two weeks, so I was pleasantly surprised.
Everyone who works there is super friendly and willing to make recommendations on what you might need to compete your project. Additionally at the front of the store, you’ll find items such as decorative magnets, notebooks, and other small objects that would make perfect gifts.

Why do I always feel like a kid in a candy store every time I walk into Blick??? I can seriously spend hours in there and if I could, I would buy everything in the store. This place is an artist’s dream, and I’m so grateful we have a Blick store in Little Italy. Blick, I love you!!!
From paper to canvas to paint, they have all the sizes you need and so much more! You get extra savings if you are on their mailing list and have their preferred card.
The only con is actually outside the store. They have a small parking area that’s difficult to get out of, as you have to pull out in reverse all the way until you hit the main street and it’s hard to see the cars driving by.

The best store of art supplies in the area! Hurry up, tomorrow is the end of the winter sales… but worry not… constant discounts if you become member and start receiving their coupons and specials offers. I got today a sketch book with thick hard cover for $ 8, that is half of the usual price, so I could splurge in the expensive Shakura pens and Indian ink:) I consume a lot of supplies for my artistic activities and this store is one of my favorites. My only complain is that they don’t carry those cool watercolor palettes that you can carry with you in your purse. I would love to see variety in those, not just the ones for children, of bad quality. I rather prefer that than the messy tubes.
Prime location in India St, impossible to miss it.