Drawing Board Plus in Baltimore: Specialty Art Supply for Professional and Serious Amateur Work
Drawing Board Plus is an independent art supply retailer in Baltimore that stocks professional-grade drawing, painting, and printmaking materials alongside student-level options, positioned squarely between mass-market craft chains and museum gift shops in the local market.
What Drawing Board Plus actually is
Drawing Board Plus operates as a full-line art supply store with emphasis on dry media (graphite, colored pencil, charcoal), painting (oils, acrylics, watercolors), printmaking supplies, and paper stock. The shop carries brands like Caran d'Ache, Faber-Castell, Winsor & Newton, Sennelier, and Strathmore alongside more accessible lines. It functions as a working resource for Baltimore-area art students, professional illustrators, and hobbyists who need same-day material replenishment rather than online shipping delays.
Stock depth and pricing structure
Professional-grade colored pencil sets run $35 to $120 depending on count and pigment quality; individual pencils range $1.50 to $3.50. Winsor & Newton oil paint tubes (37 ml) cost between $6 and $18 per color; student-grade acrylics start around $3 per tube. Fine art paper pads (140 lb watercolor, acid-free) typically fall in the $12 to $25 range depending on sheet count and brand. Printmaking supplies including linoleum blocks, wood cuts, and inks are stocked but prices fluctuate with material sourcing; confirmation on current availability is worth a phone call for specialty items. The store does not appear to carry sculpture clay or ceramics supplies, focusing instead on works on paper and canvas media.
How it compares to other Baltimore art supply sources
Blick Art Materials (a national chain with a location in the region) offers wider inventory depth, extended hours, and online ordering with local pickup, but carries less curated selection for intermediate professionals and charges standard chain pricing. Michaels and Joann Fabric, both present in Baltimore, stock beginner and craft-focused supplies at lower price points but lack professional-grade paints and specialty papers; those stores suit occasional hobbyists rather than working artists. Museum gift shops at the Walters Art Museum and BMA sell limited, high-markup inventory. Drawing Board Plus occupies the pragmatic middle: deeper professional stock than craft retailers without the overhead markup of museum retail or the anonymity of a national chain.
Who it serves and who it does not
This shop works well for art students needing materials between classes, working illustrators replacing specific supplies, and painters established enough to know exactly what they want. It does not position itself as a teaching resource or beginner-friendly destination; staff assume baseline familiarity with material categories. Serious sculptors, photographers requiring darkroom supplies, or anyone seeking extensive digital art tablets will need to shop elsewhere. The store also does not carry children's craft kits or bulk party supplies, which distinguishes it from general craft retailers.
What the first visit involves
Walk-in browsers will find materials organized by medium and brand rather than price tier. Staff can advise on specific tool substitutions (e.g., which charcoal pencil approximates a particular hardness) if you name your project, but this is not a consultation-heavy environment. The checkout process is straightforward; no loyalty program or membership structure exists. Many first-time visitors come with a specific item in mind, confirm it is in stock via phone, and make a focused trip.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The store operates during standard retail hours; exact times and days warrant confirmation, as independent retail hours shift seasonally. Street parking is available in the immediate neighborhood. The physical footprint is modest, making browsing efficient but limiting it as a destination for extended material exploration. Online ordering or mail delivery does not appear to be a service offered; the business model assumes in-person purchase.
Drawing Board Plus persists in Baltimore retail because it fills a real gap: professional artists and serious students need immediate access to materials they cannot find at big-box stores or wait three days to receive. Its survival depends on serving people who know what they want and will pay fair prices for having it today.
