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Originally published by Amanda Sheppard. Last updated by Annette Chan.
Whether you’re looking to unleash your inner artist or you have your heart set on recreating that DIY set-up you saw on Pinterest, you’ll need to stock up on arts and crafts supplies first. Struggling to source what you need? Hong Kong is home to a number of specialist stores that stock chalk paint, moulding clay, and (nearly) everything in-between. Here are the best places to buy arts and crafts supplies in Hong Kong for your artistic endeavours.
CN Square is no mere stationery shop—this artistic emporium stocks over 20,000 different arts and crafts supplies, all neatly organised into different materials and categories. Hop into the lift at their Yau Ma Tei flagship to help you navigate the different floors—particularly useful when you’re wielding a heavy shopping basket after only exploring the bottom floor. CN Square covers everything from oils and acrylics to canvases, pens, sculpting supplies, regular stationery, office supplies, and even Lego and other learning toys.
If you’re looking to pick up paint, brushes, or stationery in the Mong Kok area, but too short on time to navigate the myriad products at CN Square, head down the road to Kwong Yick Art & Design Materials. A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it ground-level shop, Kwong Yick offers plenty of artist supplies, like watercolours, acrylic paints, and brushes, as well as premium stationery and thoughtful little gifts.
Kwong Yick Art & Design Materials, 169 Sai Yee Street, Mong Kok | (+852) 2393 2277
If you’re interested in exploring the world of Chinese art and calligraphy, Yau Sang Cheong is a must-visit. Located in a nondescript commercial building, this century-old brand carries everything from paper, paint, and brushes to silk fans, calligraphy inkstones, engraved stamps designed to look like rocks, and educational books on Chinese art and culture. Don’t know where to start, or not sure which brush will work best for your needs? Just ask their knowledgeable and friendly staff for some tips—they’re more than happy to help.
Yau Sang Cheong, 3/F–5/F, Cheung Wah Commercial Building, 3–5 Saigon Street, Yau Ma Tei | (+852) 2332 8881
Searching for something crafty to do with the little ones? Head to Tree Children’s Lodge to discover a host of sustainable products inspired by the Waldorf educational philosophy, which encourages young children to learn and explore their environment in a holistic, well-rounded way, with an emphasis on tactile activities with natural materials. You’ll find plenty of arts and crafts supplies like paints, crayons, and pencils, as well as sets for making dolls, papercrafts, lace, and felt art—but do check out their musical toys and cute homewares, too.
Tree Children’s Lodge, G/F, 71–77 Smithfield, Kennedy Town | (+852) 6112 8081
Looking to supplies to spark creativity or an interest in science and mechanics? Student Exercise & Educational Co. is the perfect place to hunt for child-friendly arts and crafts supplies geared towards primary school students, including all manner of stationery and paints, as well as paper- and wood-crafting kits, and more.
Student Exercise & Educational Co., Shop 6, Kar Shun Building, 238 Ma Tau Wai Road, To Kwa Wan | (+852) 2303 0969
If you’re after pro-level art supplies and accessories, International Art Supplies has got the hook-up—from top-of-the-line watercolour, oil, and gouache paints to canvases, portfolio cases, easels, lightboxes, and more. Their shops in Chai Wan and Tsim Sha Tsui are packed to the rafters with niche and specialist products, including hyper-specific colourimetric tools, leathercraft sets, and plaster busts.
International Art Supplies, locations across Hong Kong and Kowloon
With regular and returning customers such as TVB, HKTDC, and multiple hotels and universities across the city, you know that ArtShop Wan Chai offers a formidable selection to rival other arts and crafts stores in the city. In their shop, they stock everything from brushes, easels, and canvases to Pantone colour books for professional graphic designers. They also offer marker pens in all shapes and sizes from Copic, a brand that’s popular with Japanese manga artists and designers for its wide range of colour and density.
ArtShop Wan Chai, Flat A, 10/F, Shun Pont Commercial Building, 5–11 Thomson Road, Wan Chai | (+852) 2554 1689
An institution in its own right, Hands Art & Craft has developed a reputation over the years among its loyal clientele. The shop is a veritable treasure trove for budding artists, stocking all manner of paints, brushes, and tools you’d need to craft to your heart’s content. Its knowledgeable staff can help you source what you’re looking for in the shop, which is a challenge to do on your own, as every nook and cranny is filled to the brim.
Hands Art & Craft, 1A, Po Wah Commercial Centre, 226 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai | (+852) 2893 9721
With an emphasis on street art, Write the Future offers a full range of products to support your graffiti, calligraphy and lettering endeavours, as well as supplies for miniature model-making. As the official Hong Kong retail outlet for leading graffiti spray paint brand Molotow, this supply store oozes street art rebel spirit, with spray paint cans lining the walls in almost any colour imaginable. Markers and brushes are also available for crafty artists who want to work on small-scale projects.
Write the Future, 2/F, Easy Pack Industrial Building, 140 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong | (+852) 2622 2012
Founded in 1994, Paper Art has been around for more than 20 years, promoting an earth-friendly paper culture in Hong Kong. As their name suggests, they mainly sell paper-related products, such as cards, stamps, wrapping paper, and more. You can make your own customised stamp using the carving tools they sell, along with a wide collection of pre-made stamps—we’re particularly fond of the ones depicting old-school Hong Kong cutwork metal shutters. They also provide accessories for decorating your own cards, such as marker pens, glitter, and paper flowers, so you can gift your loved ones something extra special.
Paper Art, 1/F, Hung Tak Building, 106–108 Des Voeux Road Central, Central | (+852) 2545 8985
Colour Exp is the perfect place for culture enthusiasts to hang out and meet new friends. Here, the staff is passionate about art and well-versed in product knowledge, and there’s even a corner with testers for customers to try out products and make informed purchases. Colour Exp regularly hosts art workshops in their open shop space as well, or you can pop in to work on your sketchbook art for hours.
Next to their massive collection of art supplies is a café kitchen that provides delicious food and drinks for anyone who just wants to hang out and soak up some creative vibes. If you’re after something bulky—or don’t have time to go to Kwun Tong—then they also have a very comprehensive online store that offers free delivery for most local orders over $1,200!
Colour Exp, 8/F, Front Block, Ming Sang Industrial Building, 19–21 Hing Yip Street, Kwun Tong | (+852) 2511 4845
True to its name, Craft Supplies sells everything from your run-of-the-mill stationery supplies to acrylic paint pots, resin, fabric paint, and tissue paper in every colour under the sun. Whatever your creative plans are, this store is near-guaranteed to have what you need or to inspire you if you’re ready to get the creative juices flowing.
This sprawling shop spans more than 4,000 square feet and is the go-to destination for art students, teachers, professionals, and home enthusiasts alike. Stocking supplies for painters, sculptors, graphic artists, printmakers and more, Artland has been attracting the business of loyal patrons since opening its doors in 1954. It even boasts its own art gallery, for those looking for a little inspiration, with exhibitions rotating on a fortnightly basis.
Artland, 3/F, Lockhart Centre, 301–307 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai | (+852) 2511 4845
Established in 1961, Artsman Co. has stood the test of time, proving itself to be a reliable provider of quality arts and crafts supplies. It is a popular choice for artists looking to purchase an array of materials, including modelling clay, Japanese paintbrushes, numerous brands of oil, watercolour and acrylic paints, and more.
Artsman Co., Flat A, 2/F, Kiu Hong Mansion, 3–5A Tin Lok Lane, Wan Chai | (+852) 2573 8159
Covering the hottest new eats, the best places to play, offbeat takes on local culture, and so much more, Localiiz is every Hongkonger’s destination for how to live a well-rounded life in our vibrant city. Why the strange spelling? Well, Localiiz is designed to be your “local eyes”—and for that, you need two i’s.
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