Saturday, January 30, 2010

Buying Art Materials in Dubai

As an artist I am often asked where I get my materials and what materials that I use. So for anyone new to Dubai or wondering where you can get art supplies from then the main shops I go to are Kazim at 'Magrudy's Mall' on Beach Road (near the flag past Mercato towards Diyafa Street) It is at the other end of the mall to Magrudy's on the ground floor and is a stationary shop but sells a lot of artists materials including canvases, oil paint, acrylic paint, artists papers, brushes etc. In fact almost anything you might want!

The other place I get my materials is Emirates Trading. They have a big branch near Maktoum Bridge and also smaller branches at DIAC, DUCTAC and Bin Sougat Centre amongst others. The nearest one to 'New Dubai' would be in the art centre at Mall of the Emirates, on the 2nd floor, access from the car park.

78 comments:

kishore chhatwani said...

how i can contact you

Unknown said...

Dubai is the one of the richest country in the world. The best material arts, automotive , jewelry,
automobile. Dubai festival is the best, beautiful & affordable.

Casanas said...

i am supposed to paint a mural in Dubai in January Im a Philadelphia Mural Artist and was wondering if they sold acrylic paint by the gallon?

Blue Sky said...

Casanas, you can buy really large sized containers of acrylic paint from one place as far as I know and that is the Jam Jar. You might need to order it in advance but you can find them at http://thejamjardubai.com/

Unknown said...

Hi I am a professional artist from Australia, recently moved to Dubai. I am looking for large quantities of professional artist quality materials especially large amounts of oil paint mediums, also artist quality oil paint, 300gsm A1 watercolor paper and good quality brushes. Also is there anywhere to buy stretchers bars for large canvases, also can I get an art store to order me in professional quality Italian or Belgium primed linen rolls?Or would I need to order that myself for my overseas supplier? I tried Emirates Trading in Karama, large store but they had virtually no oil mediums or artist quality oil paint. Thanks for any advice Kathryn Ryan

Blue Sky said...

Hi Kathryn, I'm surprised that you were unable to find much in the large Emirates Trading - they usually have a good supply although what tends to happen is they order a boat load of stock and only reorder once it has run out so there are times when they don't have a lot. You may find what you are looking for at Kazim on the Beach Road - it is in a small mall that also contains a large Magrudy's store, down past Mercato as you head towards town. They have quite a lot of oil paint mediums in the 250ml bottle sizes but nothing bigger than that.I'm also surprised that you didn't find watercolour paper and quality brushes in Emirates Trading as they usually have a massive supply in the shop near Maktoum Bridge.
I think you might have to order the primed linen rolls yourself tbh.
I haven't seen anywhere that sells stretcher bars but that is probably because it is really cheap to get a painting stretched at a framing shop (100 dirhams or so) - or to find a carpenter that can make frames and stretch them.
Good luck!

Unknown said...

Hi Thanks for your reply :-)
Yes I think what has happened at Emirates Trading is there stock had run low.. the shelves were almost empty of mediums, they were waiting on a next shipment due to arrive in February, so I have ordered a large amount of mediums with them, as he said sometime the orders take 4 months! ( I usually need about 4-10 Lt of medium)I found some w/c pads ok... but large sheets of paper were all crinkled in shelves? I am sure I will find my way around things, but any advice is helpful and appreciated . Thanks !

Unknown said...

Does anyone know where I can find Freezer Paper in Dubai. MOE Art Materials shop does not have it.

Blue Sky said...

Sehar - I am not sure what freezer paper is to be honest! I know that Kazim does have a good selection of large sheets of paper and card so it might be worth checking them out.

Unknown said...

Hi,

does emirates trading have copic markers?

Blue Sky said...

Hi Theresa, I don't know what copic markers are but I would recommend going to the big Emirates Trading near Maktoum bridge as they have the largest selection of painting and drawing materials.

Unknown said...

Hi there!

I do charcoal drawing portraits. and wondering where to buy Charcoal paper or Master board for charcoal drawing here in Dubai?

Unknown said...

Hi,

I do charcoal drawing portraits. just wondering where to find materials like charcoal paper or master board?

Unknown said...

hi,

I do charcoal drawing portrait. just wondering where to find materials like charcoal paper and master board?

Blue Sky said...

Hi Gerenz, I would say that Emirates trading at Maktoum Bridge have the widest range but I know that Kazim has a really good selection of paper too so they would be worth a try.

Gold Finger said...

Hi do u have any idea if this place would have polymer clay?

Blue Sky said...

Hi Gold Finger, I think Emirates Trading have some small pots of clay but I don't think they sell large quantities of sculpture clay or the like so you may have to source these elsewhere.

within the concaval walls said...

Hi.

I am looking for illustration board/board paper (the one with black on the other side and white on the other side but it seems that it is so hard to find in Dubai. I am joining a competition and it is one of the prerequisite of the said compe..and the deadline is on the 10th, please can you help me where to buy one? thanks!

Blue Sky said...

Hi, have you tried the large Emirates Trading or Kazim as these would probably be your best options but I can't confirm if they definitely have it or not, sorry.

Unknown said...

Hey guys ,I was wondering if you can help i do airbrushing and I recently moved here with all my materials,it would be great if you can you know where I can get hands on some paint,could be acrylic or ink colors since I'm not sure if any here have any airbrush paints or supplies .cheers

Blue Sky said...

Hey moe, I think for sure the big emirates trading near Maktoum bridge is your best bet. There are some people doing airbrushing in Dubai so it might be worth hooking up with them to see where they get their supplies. I know there is at least one guy who is usually at Arte every month. Check out www.arte.ae to find out when the next event is.

Sunila said...

Hi
I stumbled upon your blog when I was searching for where to get fabric painting supplies in Dubai. Thanks for all the information you shared here. I happen to know the answers for 2 questions here. 1. About freezer paper- Freezer paper is available in Spinneys in Uptown Mirdif mall. I got it from there. It is in the aluminium foils and freezer bags section.
2. About Polymer clay- I have seen oven bake clay ( which I presume is polymer clay) in 'Office Depot' in Mirdif City Centre( they have a variety of colours to choose from)

Blue Sky said...

Hi Sunila, thanks very much for that info. It is always useful to get input from other artists who buy different types of materials.

The Sudarshans said...

I am looking for inks and carrageenan for marbling. Where can I buy these?

Blue Sky said...

Hi, you can get inks in both Emirates Trading and Kazim but I have never heard of carrageenan so I can't help you with that I am afraid.

Unknown said...

Hi! I am searching for glass painting supplies...tried Emirates Trading but they don't have all of it....they don't have the liners or enough paints!Al Habthoor has closed down and I have no clue where to go!Please help...

Blue Sky said...

Hi Samina, well if Emirates Trading don't have it then I think you might struggle. It may be worth asking if they have it in one of their other stores as often some stores have more stock than others, or else see if they have a shipment coming in. Otherwise I can only advise you to try Kazim to see what they have but I am not sure that they have a lot for glass painting. It is often quite difficult to get specialist supplies so maybe you will struggle. I have had to pick up some things from back in the UK when I have not been able to get them in Dubai. Another place you could try is Dubai Library supplies - they have quite a few branches around the City and lots of arts and craft materials.

Unknown said...

Thanks blue Sky!! Called up Habthoor and they have promised me more supplies with the next shipment.But I will check DL and Kazim.

VKMistry said...

Hi there, im moving to Dubai for work and plan to bring my oil paints (my hobby) with me but read on the customs information that you cannot bring paint into Dubai. Does anyone know if this applies to artists oil paints? I have a fair collection that would cost a lot to replace and some special metallic oil colours i highly doubt will be available in dubai.

Blue Sky said...

Hi VK, when I moved to Dubai I shipped all my oil paints over before I came by plane. I think the problem lies in the flammability of paints and mediums and you may hit problems with customs if you take them in your luggage as they may just not like the word 'oil' if they find them. For one thing I would say don't take mediums with you. I would also ship in advance if you can and when you do enclose with the paints a copy of Material Safety Data Sheets for your paints (you should be able to get these from the manufacturer's website) to show that they are safe for shipping. There are a lot of oil paints available in Dubai but one that I could not get hold of was bronze and I had to get that in the UK so you may be right about the specialist metallic colours.

Unknown said...

Hi Guys,

I am looking for a micro engraver.

does anyone know where I can find one in Dubai.

Unknown said...

Hello, Im a graphic designer and I mostly design packagings, etc. I was wondering what is the place to go to pickup diffrent materials, like foam blocks, various paper types, cloth, airbrush suplies, metalized reflective sheets in colors, etc..

Blue Sky said...

Hi unknown, I would say try Emirates Trading (the big one near Maktoum bridge) or else try one of the branches of Dubai Library supplies or Habtoor Trading. I don't know if they will have exactly what you want but I think DLS have a lot of paper type stuff in particular.

Unknown said...

Hi I am Surekha Sadana an artist from India. Moved in today , but used to live here before 6 years also. I know you can get everything here but you have to wait. When you feel like doing something there is a strong push of feelings and you need that perticular material then and there only. Will se what I need to do with that. I work in oil and acrylic both . Please add me to your family.

niga sayyed said...

Hi I m a printmaker living in Dubai.let me know from where I can buy litho chalk and other printing stuff.

niga sayyed said...

Hi, I am a printmaker living in Dubai . Do you have any idea from where I can get litho chalk and other printing stuff like inks , no matter in Dubai or Sharjah .

Unknown said...

Hi there!
An artist friend of mine asked me where could he buy a big chalk piece(almost the length of a foot) for sculpting?

Unknown said...

Where can I get Polymer clay bead roller for making beads in Dubai

Blue Sky said...

Sorry Anitha I don't know, maybe someone else can answer?

Unknown said...

i'm new in dubai..i'm a fashion designer and i'm looking for PROMARKERS or TRIA MARKERS..I need some guidance please.

G said...

Hey, check out the page 'Polymer clay dubai' on facebook for polymer clay and related products. I got them delivered home.

Muhfat said...

Hi my name is Mustafa Hatim and been in Dubai since 30 years now. I am a part of a Stationery Supplying company and Printing Solutions provider named as Loyal Trading Est. Hope I can be of help to enquirers here.

Sara, TRIA markers full range available with Emirates Trading.

Anitha, polymer clay and rollers are in stock with the Art Materials shop in DUCTAC Mall of Emirates

Hyper said...

hi ,, im looking for weber odorless turpenoid/thinner for oil painting .. where i can find it in dubai

thanks alot

Anonymous said...

copic markers are available at kinokuniya at dubai mall, they have a great selection. I'm looking for A1 size art paper, will try one of the suggestions you offered! thanks.

Unknown said...

Where can I get white ink pens or gell white pens? And the tombo zero eraser?

Tareq said...

Hi

I am an artist living in Abu Dhabi and I have been looking for Prismacolor colored pencils but have not found anything in Abu Dhabi.

Does anyone knows where I can find Prismacolor pencils and materials?

Much appreciated.


Thanks

Muhfat said...

prismacolor pencils & marker in Dubai

Al Fahidi Stationery Centre
Ground Floor, Al Fahidi Building, Al Fahidi Street,
Bur Dubai, 04-3535861


Dubai Library Distributors
Deira / Satwa
04-3339998


Farook International Stationery
Al Maktoum Street, Deira, Dubai
Near Metropolitan Palace Hotel
04-2279898

Office Mart LLC
04-3359929

in AbuDhabi

Try Green Branch on Electra St. and/or Jarir Book Store.
Jarir you'll find in Mina Shopping Centre

Online on EBAY

Muhfat said...

Try Green Branch on Electra St. and/or Jarir Book Store.
Jarir you'll find in Mina Shopping Centre

Muhfat said...

Janey,

You will get the white ink pens in Uniball brand available at CLIPS dubai..

the TOMBOW zero eraser pencil not the same but similar stuff at Emirates Trading Est dubai

Unknown said...

hi...anyone knows where i can find freezer paper here in abu dhabi or dubai? thanks.

Sudha Bhat said...

Where can I buy 1 gallon odourless paint thinners in UAE?

Sudha Bhat said...

Where can I buy 1 gallon odorless paint thinners in UAE?

Unknown said...

This has been really helpful thanks a lot! I just moved here myself who's also an artiest and would like to start painting asap. I have the canvas just need someone to frame/stretch it for me. Would anyone have contact details of anyone I can get in touch with who is not too expensive? Really appreciate your help!

Black_piece said...

Wts the name of that place

Muhfat said...

Hi Sudha Bhat,

You can Odorless Thinner at any Hardware and paint shop in UAE

Unknown said...

Where can I buy an xacto knife from Dubai?

rockersujith said...

hi, please can anyone help to find faber castell polychromos colored pencils in dubai ?

Blue Sky said...

Have you tried the high Emirates Trading? That might be your best bet.

Blue Sky said...

Someone was asking about copic markers, well I saw some today in a paper shop in the mall in Jumeirah where the ceramic cafe is.

Fly said...

Hello i need a carpintero ir a place to get frames i go to dubai to expose to an art fair and i i take The paintings rollers but i need to get The frames and strech them there where can i get that????

Fly said...

Hello i need to get some one to make or sell frames in dubai i take the paintings rolled but i hace to get The frames and strech there do You hace Any place????

Fly said...

Where can i get frames or carpintero in dubai!?????

Blue Sky said...

Fly you can try any of the framing shops. There are quite a few in Satwa or else one I used to use was in the small shopping precinct where park n shop is on Al Wasl. Haven't been there for a while though so can't guarantee it's still there.

Mint said...

Can anyone help me find Vinyl...indoor /outdoor/glitter/metallic/heat transfer etc...I'm looking for all kinds. TIA

Unknown said...

Where can I get X-ACTO knife or anything similar in Dubai cuz I've searching for waaaay too long and I prefer not to order online! Also tage me when u reply as well as tag Hafsa Raihan!

Unknown said...

Where can i get Plaid FolkArt enamels?please help

Muhfat said...

Geetha Das..

Please check below link

https://www.desertcart.ae/products/3067132-plaid-folk-art-enamel-beginner-set-2-ounce-bottle

Muhfat said...

Tia,

Please check MASONLITE for a full range of vinyls.. all kinds available. We as resellers have an account so we get better prices. You can contact me too.

Muhfat said...

Delilah..

please check Ace Hardware

Carmen said...

Sometimes I've seen them at Tchibo. Good luck!

Tony Viber said...

Hello everyone. Could you please tell me, where can I find streched canvas (prepared for painting with oil colors) size 90*120*5cm? I found only one place and the price was 290 dirhams for peace. I am sure price can be better than this. Please help!

INTUITION EXPRESSION STUDIO said...

Hello, I need stretchers in some different sizes. i have searched a lot.I dint find any shop or framers who make stretchers.can you help me.

Unknown said...

Hello,
Could someone recommend a store where I can find sakura micron pens or just micron pens in general.

Unknown said...

Looking for someone to special effect paint on stone. Your help in contacts is appreciated

Unknown said...

I am most grateful to you. I lived in the UAE in the late 70's and 80's and there was almost nothing to paint with or canvasses, etc. We dug our own clay in the desert. I am planning on returning to UAE this fall and contacted the art gallery to see if they could advise me. They simply said no. (not very helpful) I would like to be in touch with you. Do you mind sharing your info? Thanks so much. Deborah

harry said...

canvas art store

DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY

Sun-Wed (10am - 10pm),
Thurs,Fri,Sat (10am - 12am Mid Night),
First Level,Shop #: SC146,
Beside Toys R Us,
P.O.Box: 125467, Dubai, UAE.

Tel.: +971 4 283 2990
Fax: +971 4 283 2991


JUMEIRAH
Jumeirah Palm Strip Mall

Sat-Thurs (10am - 10pm),
Fri (3pm - 10pm),
First Floor,Shop no: F17,
P.O.Box: 125467, Dubai, UAE.

Tel.: +971 4 224 1164
Tel.: +971 4 224 1192

UPTOWN MIRDIF MALL

Sat-Thurs (10am - 10pm),
Fri (3pm - 10pm),
Ground Floor,Shop #: J-11,
Opp. Mediclinic Pharmacy,
P.O.Box: 125467, Dubai-UAE.

Tel.: +971 4 285 3766
Fax: +971 4 285 3776

DUBAI MALL
Sun-Wed (10am - 10pm),
Thurs,Fri,Sat (10am - 12am Mid Night),
Shop No: Lg121 (Lower Ground Floor),
Near Starbucks Coffee Shop,
P.O.Box: 125467, Dubai-UAE.

Tel.: +971 4 341 9937
Tel.: +971 4 320 1762

ABU-DHABI
Sat-Fri (10am - 10pm),
Alseef Village Mall,
First Floor, Shop #: 22,
Abu-Dhabi, UAE


Tel.: +971 2 444 3525
Fax.: +971 2 444 6272

Unknown said...

Hi Deborah , Fascinating time to have been in the UAE in 70s& 80s .. So much has changed ! Harry has listed art supply stores above .. The largest is Emirates Trading in Dubai ... On Facebook Page Dubai Artists Network .. You can also find a list of art supply stores framing etc . All the best Kathryn

Unknown said...

now you can get all your Artist Materials in Dubai in MIDDLE EAST STATIONERY TRD THAT IS LOCATED NEAR MAKTOOM BRIDGE IN DEIRAH SIDE
YOU CAN VISIT WEBSITE
www.mesco-group.com
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/MiddleEastStationeryTrading/?fref=ts
contact No. 009714 2695500
Mob.0504049767