Stuart started his working life in an Architects drawing office, before moving on to work in another art shop for around nine years. In 1980 he established his own business - Stuart R. Stevenson Gilding Materials where he purchased some basic gilding materials and a consignment of gold leaf from Ets. Dauvet in France with the intention of supplying the many framing workshops in and around London.

Some he knew and some he didn't, but he set about making appointments with the owners and visited as many as he could to build up a customer base, selling products out the back of his Ford Fiesta. In 1984 Stuart's wife Julia, having worked in the background for some time, started working full time for the business whilst Stuart continued to go out each day and deliver goods.

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Reviews (12)

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Duncan Martin

Aug 15, 2021

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I have to admit I had never realised of the existence of this particular establishment until two days ago.
So it is nice to realise one can be still pleasantly surprised even at my advanced years!
Beautiful shop stocked to the rafters with art equipment and modelling supplies.
You must visit!

Barry Ashby

Jun 27, 2021

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Know Stuart from way back , very helpful 👍🎨 I was a gilder for 44 years

Victoria R. C.

May 18, 2021

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Definitely I recommend this shop. I got supplies from them and so happy 😊 I can wait to go back.

Joanna Ruane

Mar 31, 2021

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Super fast dispatch and well packaged, thank you! So happy they stock all stamptitude wax seals! 😍

Michael Hill

Feb 20, 2021

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Delighted to find a traditional artists shop that provides very knowledgeable,personal service combined with an excellent product range.

Karen Miranda

Aug 07, 2020

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This is the only place I know where I can get Canson Mi-Teintes, pastel paper already cut to A4 size and I have looked all over the internet! During the Covid crisis lockdown, we had to place an order to be posted. I was a little bit worried about ordering paints and paper in one order, just incase the paints managed to dent the paper in transit. However The Stuart R Stevenson team packed the parcel so well, that the paper was in perfect condition. A very professional service.

John Burgess

Jul 27, 2020

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The Harry Potter of stationers. Prepare to be treated with courtesy, attention and real old fashioned assistance. A lovely place.. Someday all shops will be made this way.

Paul Seddon

Jan 01, 2020

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Aladdin's cave of art materials, pens, inks... Wouldn't feel out of place in Diagon Alley. Staff are friendly and helpful. Huge range of papers, I found what I was looking for, and more.

Tonia Perretta

Nov 02, 2019

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Like Ollivander's for art. Helpful, patient, kind staff, generous with their advice if you ask for it. Extensive range of products for everyone from the child amateur to the pro. Everything I have bought over the years has been of excellent quality and fairly priced. A gem.

Sarah T.

Sep 25, 2018

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Great little art shop. The staff member gave some great advice to help me find the paint I needed, spending time explaining the differences between the products they offer to help me make the best choice. I also rummaged through their selection of reduced-price paints and got a bargain!

Rachel Wong

Dec 07, 2017

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This is a stationery heaven. It is chock full of everything any artist or stationery-enthusiast could want. They stock colour pencils, paints, wires for jewellery making, thread, glitter and even miniatures. I love that the shop has retained a vintage and classy feel and that they use ladders to reach items at the top!

Saajan Shah

Nov 08, 2017

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This is a great, small art supplies shop. The shop is densely packed with supplies, and the staff are very friendly. They also have Fountain Pens and ink. They stock the entire Lamy range, some Kaweco, Caran D'Ache and some others. In terms of ink, they have J. Herbin, Waterman, Lamy, Kaweco and Quink. In addition, they have a great selection of notebooks from Rhodia and Leuchtturm. This place is a gem, and one of the best stocked stationery/art supplies shops in London.