MEET THE TEAM
Here in the UK, you’ll find a passionate and dedicated team of artists and creatives, united by a love of all things art materials-related, keen to share their knowledge and deliver the best products, for artists everywhere.
ABOUT JACKSON'S
Founded in London in 2000, Jackson’s offers a vast range of fine art materials to artists from all over the world. At the heart of Jackson’s is a commitment to sourcing and providing the finest art materials. With our expertise and knowledge, we are confident we can supply the materials you need to realise your unique creative potential.
We search globally for innovative new products from the world’s finest artisan makers, and welcome suggestions for new products to add to our existing ranges. Our own brand products include paints, brushes, tools, and surfaces, which offer true value and have been developed by working with the best makers and trusted manufacturers.
We are passionate about all things art materials-related, providing a wide range of resources for artists. This includes our blog, in-house films, and printed publications, featuring everything from technical advice and in-depth interviews with artists to reviews of the latest art materials and supplier insights. Our Artist Reward Program offers subscribers access to our resources via weekly emails as well as unique perks including exclusive promotions and discounts.
We’re also proud to provide opportunities for artists through our annual competition, Jackson’s Art Prize, and our Online Art Gallery which showcases the exceptional artwork of rising artists from around the world.
Visit one of our shops where our friendly and knowledgeable staff will welcome you.
THE BEGINNINGS
Without St. Petersburg paints, there wouldn’t be Jackson’s. In the early 90’s, Nick Bell, an architecture student, returned from an exchange in Moscow with a handful of inexpensive Russian oil paints. He gave his art student friend Gary Thompson a few to try. Amazed by the most intense colours that they had ever used or hoped to afford, the two friends from art school joined forces and began to sell the paints from the basement of a gallery in Waterloo, London.
Business was slow at the start, until, out of the blue, an artist searching for a rare Russian green pigment ordered a watercolour set and wrote a glowing review for one of the practical art magazines. Almost overnight, the friends were inundated with cheques from all over the country, and a mail-order company was born: 3K Project Art.
As the company grew, more products were added to the range, but ultimately the range was too limited. The owner of an art shop in Leeds offered to fund the enterprise with his own stock, so Nick and Gary began their new venture: Art Express. The friends produced the first colour UK fine art materials catalogue along with a website, although people rarely shopped online at the time. Art Express went from strength to strength as a mail-order company, setting new standards in delivery times and pricing, only to be cast aside by the new business partner. Nick decided to return to his original practice in architecture while Gary, having trained as a painter, sought new ways to fund the cost of living.
The following year Gary received a call from Michael Venus, the owner of Handover brushes at the time, who kindly offered to help set up in competition to Art Express. Gary jumped at the opportunity, and in late 1999, set about designing the new Jackson’s catalogue, full of incredible value brushes, and in January 2000, Jackson’s launched.
