Blick Art Materials

This place has everything you need for doing any kind of art I used to go here when I went to school. Art stores are one of my favorite stores to walk through, and this one is no different any medium you need they have it and they have it all!!!

Has great supplies but the line is extremely slow. I feel like I’m at the post office. I’m in line now waiting… and waiting… hummmm I smell urine.
Once I got to the counter they were very efficient and friendly but I feel kind of bad for the employees as they may have to smell that all day…

This place has everything you need for any art project– 2 floors of art supplies! The staff was very helpful with finding us tube watercolors as well as the brushes we needed. I love just browsing the aisles too – so many fun items! Great layout. Tip: Google Maps says it’s on the opposite side of the street than it actually is.

What makes this store suck is the security guard that follows you around the entire time. There is some cool stuff in the store, but the over the top security guard makes you feel unwelcome.

If you like to cater to your creative side, go here. They have absolutely everything you might need to express yourself, and the staff is helpful and knowledgeable of the products they carry. I recently talked myself into drawing again after many years, and they pointed me in the right direction.

WOW! This is the worst Blick location, ever. The employees are incredibly rude (I am looking at you chubby, blonde lady at the register), and management needs to train its employees. I will not be coming back, and will take my business elsewhere.
Do NOT go here.

This is the worst Blick location I’ve ever been to. I was visiting Chicago on the 25^th and 26^th with friends and family, and decided for the four of us to check out this location on our way to the hotel (we were each carrying a backpack or messenger bag with fully zipped compartments; the only time we entered our bags was to put our gloves away or remove wallets upon purchasing items). I’ve been itching to buy new art pens, and the size of the store excited me; I’d hoped the selection of products would be more diverse than those of the smaller Blick stores I’d shopped at in the past. We were followed around by the manager and security the entire time we were there. We were not the only young people shopping (three of the four of us are in our late 20’s, mind you, and the youngest member in my party is over 21), but three of the four members in my party we were the only customers at the time with complexions darker than lily white. I have NEVER been treated like this at any other Blick location, even in dodgy areas. It was a very uncomfortable experience, especially since the manager radioed for her security well within ear shot, and loudly, as if we were criminals. I will never shop here again!

They have a lot of materials for painting and 3d modeling for architects. Everything is sort of expensive thou. Good team always very helpful.

one of the rarer and rarer stores these days that has friendliness and understanding of their products. They helped me through an issue I was having with pens I bought there and it’s definitely worth a trip.

Well stocked and big selection of supplies.
Staff going around to help are knowledgeable and helpful without being over solicitous. which is good.
I’ve had a couple of times where the person at the cashier seemed stoked or stoned but still functioning. Weird but then… they’re artists and maybe they’re not stoned… just being artists.
Other than that — great store.

The managers at this location are the most incompetent people I have ever seen. Seriously I am surprised they can even function in this world.

Excellent service from Kellie, Daniel and Katie! I went in with a goal (to buy a watercolor kit for my wife) but no context. These awesome rock stars of customer service made flawless recommendations and explained the pros and cons. They taught me about the differences between paper styles, what to look for in a brush and little tips like watercolor paper will roll up so two sides are sealed. So clever! ¹⁰⁄₁₀ service all around. The store itself was amazing. Very clean and miles of special products to cover every artistic need. I even signed up for a cool 10% customer loyalty card!

There are no good art supply stores anymore except Blick it seems. No no deal because the service here is great. If a staff member sees you their eyes don’t dart away. They actually ask you of you need help.

I brought in my incredibly buggy camera after taking it to no less than 3 other places. In under 24 hours, I have my camera back completely bug free and he gave my camera an overhaul an major cleaning. His prices are great. He is very friendly and helpful. I recommend everyone in Chicago bring their cameras here next time you need a repair.

I needed a sketchpad and this place has lots of them. Annnnd it’s located right downtown by Millennium Park and the Art Institute. 5 stars for location, –1 star for the surly check-​out lady.

I get impulsive sometimes when it comes to crafts. I also consider myself somewhat frugal, so Blick is perfect to satisfy my craving for DIY projects. I’ve bought canvas in bulk here (15 or so) online and had an issue with one so I brought it to the store and they gladly swapped it out for me.
I usually compare their prices to Amazon and generally they’re cheaper or just about the same.
The staff don’t make the initiative to help you and don’t act like they care about you during check out, but that’s fine. Also, there isn’t a bathroom here from what an employee told me.

As an artist, you can pretty much find anything at this Blick (or at least something that will do the job).
Prices are super competitive, you would be hard pressed to find cheaper in Chicago.
Helpful and friendly staff are artists so they know exactly how to dive into a project and what’s the most inexpensive method.

Eyes are supposed to be windows to the soul. But some of us need blinders.
Those that do, chose to reveal ourselves through artistic expression.
I wouldn’t necessarily define myself as an «Artist» (though I’ve made strides) and sometimes I hate my work. It takes too long. Makes me feel exposed and vulnerable. Sometimes I love it because it’s a piece of me. Or represents someone or something I love. Anyhow, when I do art this chain has most of what I need.
The canvases and oils prices are a scontch high. But great selection.
The Fimo clay selection is good and price comparable to others (sculpy is alright but doesn’t hold shape as well)
Lots of drawing supplies and infinity pencils. As well as different grains of paper (the grade of pencil and kind of paper impact the shading and contrast of the piece).
Rhinestones are weak. I’ve found much better shapes, colors, finishes.
Shells are kinda a dud. Only a few in the bucket are interesting.
The jewelry making kits and materials are great.
Paper and tissue paper colors and assortment vast.
Tons of cool random gifts, cards, magnets, knick knack décor stuff.
The best part is going and seeing something that never crossed your mind that would utterly add to your piece. You get inspired sometimes.
They give discounts to students and educators. And run sales occasionally. They do lesson plan classes and video lesson plan classes online for teachers of K-​12 and special education. It would be cool to offer the same for crafty adults (and prudent, they’d increase sales).
I’d recommend the store.

I don’t have an artistic bone in my body. In fact, I’m pretty sure the only area in 3^rd grade I ever got a «needs improvement» in was art class. And it scarred me for life.
But when I needed to teach myself to knit quick and dirty style in two days (mission ended up being a failure), I ventured in here, hoping they had some yarn and knitting needles. Score. Small selection, and not what you would find at a dedicated knitting shop, but it was perfectly adequate for what I needed. The other 99% of the store is focused more on paints, pens, brushes, canvases, easels and all other things that I would destroy with my stick figure skills.
Friendly staff that directed me exactly where I needed to go, and prices seemed pretty reasonable. Discount if you are a student/​teacher (of which I am neither). Great option in the Loop.

We came here on the hunt for a bigger-​than-​usual cork bulletin board. The place is huge and instead of walking around searching for it, we thought we’d ask the cashier if she could tell us where the bulletin boards were. She said Blick didnt have any bulletin boards but that we should check out Ace Hardware or Target. We were disheartened but decided to check out the second floor anyways just to see what stuff Blick carried other than the usual art supplies.
We ran into a sales person at the top of the escalator who offered to help us. We told her how sad we were that Blick didnt carry bulletin boards. She said «Yeah we do, let me show you where they are!» OMG. She showed us and it was love at first sight! Alas I had found my perfectly huge sized bulletin board! Coincidentally, when we went to pay for the board, we got the girl who told us there were no boards to begin with. She wasnt very happy, but we were! So, if you ever need a cork bulletin board, come to Blick! Dont bother taking your chances with Amazon or any other internet company because it’ll probably be delivered to you broken in pieces (like mine was). Thanks Blick!