Thank you for your report!
We have received your report and it is currently under investigation by a forum moderator.
Anyone a member of the SAA?
Welcome to the forum.
Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.
Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.
Hang on Studio Wall
This is a Studio member-only feature!
Join our Studio membership and save your favourite Painters Online content, from gallery artwork to step-by-step guides, to your own online mood boards. Create your go-to place for inspiration and learning. Plus, members can also enjoy a range of exciting features including monthly art videos and a digital magazine library.
If you are already a Studio member, simply login to your account.
Not a Studio member? Why not try our free 30-day trial - no commitment, no credit card required
Showing page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2
Message
Posted
Is anyone a member of the SAA? I usually go to my local art shop or use amazon/eBay for my supplies but there is one item that's overpriced online and as it's under a fiver I don't really fancy paying the almost £30 membership for this one thing.
I'd obviously send the money via PayPal to cover the item and cost of postage if anyone who is a member is willing to order it for me.
Posted
Most art clubs (well certainly in my region) have group membership. There are distinct advantages in this in that not only is the cost shared among all members via their subs but the club also gets free insurance for exhibitions and shows. I just wonder if you are a member of a local club - if so you could ask there - if not why not think about joining one.
One other point is that the SAA have open days for group members when you can visit their warehouse, offices, film studio and try out various products and make purchases if you want anything. They also usually also give out goody bags. I have organised several trips for clubs in my area and I can recommend it as an interesting day and great fun. They used to be free but I believe they now charge £10 per head but still worth it. Again if you are a member of a club you can enquire if they would like to look into organising a trip. Their headquarters are at Newark by the way.
Posted
I've never been an individual member of the SAA - I wonder what the product is that you've found on their website which is cheaper than you can get elsewhere? Look further afield, maybe - there are dozens of artists' suppliers - starting with Jacksons, Granthams, Ken Bromley (which are the big three so far as I'm concerned in that they usually have whatever I'm looking for at the best price); I'd much rather use a specialist supplier than Amazon, at least for art materials.
The SAA prices are less if you're a member of course, but I wouldn't have thought the difference in price was so very significant if you only bought the occasional item from them. Their other virtues and vices have been rehearsed before, but haven't much to do with the specific question.
Posted
My reply crossed with Jenny's and wasn't a reply to her comment about the SAA, I should perhaps add, because it might look as if I were saying her point about their service wasn't relevant - I was referring to past controversies about the organization, not to this.....
Can't be too careful - I've trodden on bunions in the past!
Posted
Just looked at Granthams and find they have a very limited range - several items I buy on a regular basis are not listed on their website.
Anent the reference I made to buying from the SAA I might add that I have never had a problem with them except on the last occasion when I purchased through a club and there was a misunderstanding as to what I wanted - always a potential problem when you place orders through a third party, ie the appointed club officer responsible for placing orders.
Posted
I was a member of the SAA some years ago but discontinued as I thought it was not good value. I buy most of my materials online at Jacksons or Ken Bromley and although I've not compared prices with SAA recently I would be surprised if SAA are better value. I am a member of a club that has a membership of SAA for Insurances etc. but I don't think any club members have bought materials from SAA through the club.
Posted
A value finder? Well I feel completely naïve and I'm opening myself to ridicule but after years of painting I hadn't a clue what everyone was talking about. Anyway I've googled it only to find it's a means of determining tone in a painting or subject. Seems like another of those useless gimmicks which end up in the bottom drawer like a battery operated ear drier.
Posted
I've got one somewhere - I've seen people using them, but (and I might be opening myself up to ridicule too) I have found it utterly useless. Viewfinders aren't much better, although at a pinch I suppose I can see the point. There's quite a lot one can just do without, if you think about it...... glad of Michael's intervention on this, to be honest; I thought it might be something lacking in me...
Showing page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2