What are the top art supply brands for college students?

I'm preparing to head to college for my art major and I'm curious about which brands of art supplies are considered the best for quality and price. I'd appreciate any recommendations, especially for painting and drawing materials.

There are several art supply brands that produce high-quality products for both painting and drawing. Here's an overview of some of the well-regarded brands for each discipline:

For painting:

- Winsor & Newton: This is a favored brand among professionals and hobbyists alike. They offer artist-quality acrylics, oils, and watercolors, with a reputation for excellent pigment quality and durability.

- Liquitex: A leader in acrylic paints and mediums. Many praise their good pigment quality and their wide variety of colors.

- Golden: Known for their artist-grade acrylics, Golden offers high pigment loads and an extensive color palette.

For drawing:

- Faber-Castell: A renowned brand offering high-quality drawing pencils, pastels, and other sketching materials. Their products are lauded for their consistent quality, and their range covers everything from graphite to colored pencils.

- Prismacolor: Known best for their colored pencils, Prismacolor's products offer smooth application, vivid colors, and excellent blendability.

- Derwent: This UK-based company produces a wide variety of drawing tools, but their graphite and charcoal pencils stand out for their diverse range of hardness levels.

Another helpful tip for college students is to keep an eye out for student discounts. Many art supply stores offer these, which can make a big difference in terms of what you end up spending.

Lastly, remember that which brand is “the best” can often come down to personal preference and the specific needs of your art practice. It might be worthwhile to try out a few different brands and see which ones you prefer in terms of feel, usability, and final effect. Hope this helps in your preparation for your art major journey!