Looking for free artist resources to fuel your creativity without draining your wallet? Whether you’re a beginner or a professional artist, there are plenty of ways to access free art supplies, tutorials, and reference images online and in your community.
At Milan Art Institute, we’re passionate about helping artists thrive, regardless of budget. Here's your guide to the best free tools for artists—from online art classes to royalty-free photo libraries and creative reuse tips.
1 - Where to Get Free or Cheap Art Supplies
Art supplies don’t have to be expensive. With a little effort, you can stock your studio on a shoestring budget.
Best Places to Find Free or Inexpensive Art Supplies:
- Facebook Marketplace & Buy Nothing Groups: Search for free or low-cost art materials in your area. Many people give away leftover paint, brushes, easels, and canvas.
- Creative Reuse Centers & Thrift Stores: Look for community-based art stores or thrift shops that sell gently used or surplus materials at discounted prices.
- Recycled Materials from Home: Use everyday items like cardboard, paper bags, old clothing, and magazines to create texture and depth in your mixed media artwork.
2 - Free Art Classes: Online and In-Person Options
Learning new techniques and improving your skills doesn’t have to cost a thing. There are plenty of free art classes available online and through local organizations.
Where to Find Free Art Classes:
- Milan Art Institute Free Products Download free guides and resources to help you build your artistic skills and grow your creative business.
- Free Art Tutorials from Milan Art Institute Watch step-by-step video lessons on essential techniques like “fat over lean” for oil painting.
- Local Libraries and Community Centers Many public libraries offer free art workshops and creative programs for all skill levels. Check your city or county website for class schedules.
3 - Free Open Access Images for Artists
High-quality reference photos are essential for developing your drawing and painting skills. The following sites offer open-access images and royalty-free photos for personal and educational use-perfect for artists, bloggers, and students.
You can use these images in blogs, portfolios, and classwork that are publicly accessible.
Do not use them for commercial products or resale.
Always read each site’s licensing terms and credit the original creator.
Top Sites for Free Artist Reference Photos:
- Unsplash A popular site for free high-resolution stock images. No attribution required, but it’s appreciated.
- Library of Congress on Unsplash Public domain photos with a historical focus.
- Flickr Creative Commons Use the advanced search to find Creative Commons licensed content.
- Wikimedia Commons Millions of free-to-use images, including art, architecture, and historical photographs.
- World Images Organized by categories like Women, Cities, Science, and more.
- Smithsonian on Flickr Photos from museum collections and research centers.
*How do you know if photos on the internet are copyright free?
4 - Free Art Apps & Digital Tools
- Krita – A free, open-source digital painting software great for concept art, illustration, and animation.
- MediBang Paint – Lightweight digital painting software that’s great for comics and manga.
- GIMP – A free alternative to Photoshop for photo editing and digital collage.
- Canva (Free Version) – Ideal for creating simple mockups, social posts, or mood boards.
- Adobe Fresco (Free Tier) – Some core brushes and tools are available for free on tablets.
5 - Free E-Books & Art PDFs
Many universities, museums, and artists release:
- Free eBooks on art history, technique, and theory (check archive.org and Google Books).
- PDFs of master artist sketchbooks, color theory charts, or anatomy studies.
- Museum catalogs from institutions like the Getty or the Met, available digitally at no cost.
6 - Virtual Museum Tours & Online Exhibits
You can explore masterpieces and curated collections from the comfort of your home:
- Google Arts & Culture – Virtual access to thousands of museums, including zoomable high-res images of artworks.
- The Met 360° Project – Immersive videos exploring New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Louvre Virtual Tours – Explore parts of the museum and its exhibits online for free.
These can serve as incredible visual inspiration or be used as references for learning classical techniques.
7 - Free Online Art Communities & Critique Groups
- DeviantArt, ArtStation, and Reddit’s r/learnart – Great places to share your work and get feedback.
- Discord Art Servers – Many offer free critique channels, portfolio reviews, and live drawing events.
- Instagram Collabs and Challenges – Monthly prompts like #DrawThisInYourStyle or #Sketchtember keep you practicing and connected with other artists.
8 - Free Art Challenges and Prompts
- Inktober, Artober, and other monthly prompt lists – Help build consistency and push creative boundaries.
- Daily Drawing Prompts (from apps or social media accounts) – Great for warming up or overcoming artist’s block.
9 - Artist Newsletters and Free Mini-Courses
- Many professional artists and coaches (like Milan Art Institute!) offer free email series with tips, critiques, or inspirational content.
- Subscribing to these can give you early access to free mini-courses, exclusive downloads, or live webinars.
10 - Free Business Tools for Artists
If you're turning your art into a business:
- Wave – Free accounting software.
- Notion or Trello – Organize your portfolio, client work, or commissions.
- Google Docs/Sheets – Create price lists, contracts, or track your commissions.
- Linktree (Free Plan) – Share all your online links from one Instagram bio link.
- Canva is a simple design platform that helps artists create professional visuals, portfolios, and marketing materials with ease using templates and intuitive tools.
You Don’t Need a Big Budget to Make Great Art
Whether you're searching for free painting supplies, beginner-friendly art tutorials, or ope\n-access reference photos, these tools can help you grow as an artist, without spending a fortune.
At Milan Art Institute, we’re dedicated to making art education and resources accessible to anyone with a passion for creativity. Dive into the resources above, and let your artistic journey unfold.
Start creating today—because art is for everyone.