Rath Art Supplies

I need high quality oil paints and this is were I get them. Rath carries Williamsburg and Michael Harding paints. High pigment and short buttery textured oils. Check it out on Main St. and support your local art store!

This place is very hidden and tucked away. I wanted to come in here for a specific type of paint as I wanted to support the mom and pop shop first before going to the major chains, however, they did not have what I was looking for. The shop owner was still none the less very helpful, kind and took the time out to point me in the right direction. It’s rare to get customer service like this.

Really nice small, comfortable store to be in, the staffs were friendly but ignored me after I greeted her with a nod. I believe the owner was nicer and more friendly. But it could be my problem, who walks into an Art store with military camo pants and camera bag? To be honest I dont even look like an artist

The type of store you wish existed at the corner of your neighbourhood not only for the supplies but for the genuine care and community feel it would bring to your street. This store reminds me of the ‘old vancouver’ where children could play freely outside and we all knew our neighbours.
Like others, I’d rather shop here than the big box stores (that aren’t even cheaper based on quality!).
I bought my calligraphy nibs here and they sell them individually if you aren’t looking for a set!

Saw the great reviews here and decided to check it out. It is such a cute little store and the most friendly owner ever: D Even though small, it has pretty much has all the things I can possibly need.

Stan stretches canvas to perfection. Is always cool, calm and collected and single handedly works his store six days a week. I would rather pay full price and support this store than buy anything for a discount at one of those chain stores. I have never heard Stan say «Can’t do it» and when I have really really needed something fast, he came through with flying colours. This store is a GEM and should be supported by every artist in Vancouver!

The owner (Stan) used to have a store in Hamilton, Ontario, and we were neighbours for many years. I’m glad to see he’s doing well in Vancouver!

I love this store. The owner is knowledgeable, and will help each and every customer from a complete beginner to an expert. You feel very welcomed in the store. It’s a small shop, and most of the supplies he sells are geared to painting, sketching, and illustration.
But I can say for a fact that he only sells quality products. The best markers, sketch books, and paints. He can tell you about each brand and even when new shipments of your favorite markers will come in. Whenever I need markers Rath Arts is my go to stop. If I was rich I would probably buy everything in sight!

Best art store in the city! Don’t judge a book by it’s cover: This place may be tiny but it has all your artsy needs covered! The selection is smaller than Opus or DeSerres, but everything they carry is very high quality, even the things priced on the lower end, and they have some specialty items i’ve never seen at those other larger stores!
I popped in yesterday to grab a new tube of white paint and noticed cans of specialty enamel paint for hand-​lettering signs… Coincidentally I have an outdoor sign for a store just waiting to be painted, and after the owner told me the benefits of using that paint rather than plain jane acrylic i was sold! I’m so happy that i can provide one of my clients with better quality work thanks to the advice I got at Rath!
Basically one of my favorite things about the place is the staff! If i have a question about anything, i’m always way more confident asking the super friendly, very knowledgeable owner about something than i am any of hired guns at Opus and DeSerres.
The only thing: Don’t come in here if you’re looking for scrap booking supplies, tubes of glitter, jewelery making kits (etc etc!). Rath sells art supplies, plain and simple, so if your creativity falls into the crafting end of the spectrum you’re best off going to DeSerres. If you aren’t sure if they carry what you’re looking for, just give them a call!

Incredible store – what I’ve been looking for in art supplies since I moved to Vancouver. So far, it is the only place I have found where you can purchase high quality bulk linen. In addition, Rath is now carrying my very favorite brand of oil paints: Williamsburg! I’m in love.
Also, as everyone else has noticed, the guy who runs the place (and presumably owns it) is super nice and helpful.

One of my favourite places ever.

A truly wonderful jewel in Vancouver! What a treat to go there, browse, chat and be inspired. Lovely guy! Small but excellent selection!

super nice guy, custom canvas… small store but big appeal.
(Forget STAPLES. shop local darnnnit)

When my boyfriend discovered that I used to paint eons ago, he immediately went out to Costco and purchased me an easel with paints and brushes. I was excited to try out this easel, as I hadn’t actually used one before, maybe in art class in junior high but that nearly doesn’t count. The only thing that didn’t work for me were the brushes… yes, it does make a difference, especially if your confidence towards whether you can paint is on the line… So I wanted to purchase a few brushes to get myself started and without spending an arm and a leg. The gentlemen who I can only presume is Mr. Rath himself, had just sat down when I came in and proclaimed it was the first time during the day he had taken a rest, so I let him be for a bit before I bothered him with my brush request! He was very accommodating and knew exactly what I was saying: I didn’t want to go ape and buy hundreds of dollars worth of brushes, just a few that would get me through until I remembered how to do all of this again. $ 20 later and I had a set of acrylic and watercolour brushes that will inspire me to have a go at it once more! Of course, Rath’s carries every paint (Golden Artist Colours amongst a plethora of others) of oil, acrylic and watercolour varieties in just the colours you need along with all the tools, canvasses, brushes, paint thinner, drawing pencils and pastels, that you could need!