We’re Taking Steps to Re-Opening Our Stores
UPDATE AS OF MAY 14th 2020 We at Opus are so pleased that British Columbians have slowed the curve of COVID-19 – and that we did it together. We are saddened by the people that we lost to this... Read More
Category: Community News
Growing Up Together: A Tribute to Artists & Art Forms
In celebration of our 45th anniversary at Opus, we connected with eight artists who have grown with Opus over the years, and got a look into their lives as artists. Images will expand when clicked on. Joe Coffey |... Read More
Celebrating 45 Years: How Opus Got Its Start in 1974
Opus Art Supplies founder David van Berckel looks back on how it all began, 45 years ago: It was the 1970s and I was a hippie. I had landed in Canada after getting my engineering degree in the UK and... Read More
Taka Sudo
We caught up with our cover artist and 2016 Vancouver Mural Festival artist, Taka Sudo in his studio to learn about his art. Contrasting elements are a major inspiration for Taka. His work mixes cityscapes with nature, neon colours with... Read More
Fresh Takes on Landscapes
Take a trip with watercolourists Leslie Redhead and Sandhu Singh, and oil painters Michael King and Ken Faulks! With their fresh takes on traditional mediums and a love of landscape, they share ways to break free and find your own... Read More
Creating a Sensory Experience Through Art
The Embrace by Marney-Rose Edge Fill your senses with Spring! Two artists share how their sensory experience of their subjects, flora and fauna, becomes part of their work, both in process and in the completed piece. Thank you to Marney-Rose... Read More
How to Paint a Blossom with Marney-Rose Edge
The Embrace by Marney-Rose Edge Marney-Rose Edge’s watercolour florals capture the delicacy of the blooms and juxtapose them with dramatic backgrounds. The results are stunning works filled with light, colour, and the beauty of nature. For the watermedia piece, The... Read More
Ideas for Decorative Papers
Our expanded selection decorative papers is offering inspiration this spring! In addition Japanese Chiyogami and tissue papers . Their beautiful and delicate patterns, interesting textures, and wide variety of colours offer you a plethora of creative possibilities, whether you’re making... Read More
Faber-Castell Week at Opus Art Supplies
Join us in-store from until Friday, April 12th to try out Faber-Castell products at our tester stations. We will provide materials and our knowledgeable staff will be present to help answer questions and provide guidance. Also, purchase a minimum of... Read More
April 2019 – Fill Your Senses With Spring
Let the beauty of spring’s blossoms open up your creativity! The watercolour florals of our featured cover artist in April, Marney-Rose Edge, capture the delicacy of the blooms and juxtapose them with dramatic backgrounds. The results are stunning works filled... Read More
Thank You for Sharing Your Gift in 2018!
The holiday season is a time for giving and receiving, and both have happened in abundance in the last few months thanks to your participation in our 2018 Share Your Gift Donation Drive. Your donations of lightly-used art supplies have... Read More
Working Studio: Staying organized with BC artist, Amy Stewart
Amy Stewart paints in her studio. More space, more art, more life! We visited the studio of artist Amy Stewart for an inspiring look at how a clean, organized studio space influences her art practice. Amy Stewart’s studio is located... Read More
Oh My Gouache!
Quickly gaining in popularity among painters and illustrators alike, gouache combines the ease of watercolours with the workability and flow of acrylics. The matte, opaque finish of this paint is perfect for photographing or scanning work for digital reproduction. There... Read More
From Einbeck to Opus: Bringing Hahnemühle’s Papers Home
From Einbeck to Opus: Bringing Hahnemühle’s Papers Home By Brian White, Director of Sales & Marketing In January of 2018, I had the privilege of travelling to Germany to attend the annual Paperworld Trade Fair in Frankfurt. Similar to... Read More
7th Annual Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge: Overview
Click to jump to images from the day! We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day – the sun shone over hundreds of artists who came out to participate in the 2018 Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge on Sunday, May... Read More
Loving Vincent Private Screening
You are invited to attend a private screening of the Oscar-nominated film Loving Vincent! As one of our most loyal customers, we are pleased to invite you and a guest* to a special evening with Opus Art Supplies. Join us... Read More
Step Toward Social Media Success
One of the most rewarding things about creating art is bringing forth what’s inside of us in order to share it with others. Approaching social media as an extension of your art and your connection to those who appreciate it... Read More
Creative Community Spotlight: Granville Island
Sharing the gift of creativity this holiday season? Visit Granville Island to find your favourite art supplies & gifts at Opus and shop from local artists and artisans, too! Granville Island is truly the one-stop-destination for all things magical, particularly... Read More
Opus Langley Celebrating 20 Years!
A big thanks to all of you who have made Opus Langley a huge part of the Fraser Valley’s creative community! To all of the wonderful staff who have shared their passion and knowledge with us over the years, the... Read More
Take it Away: Discover the Magic of Erasers
Used for corrections, to remove sketched marks from a painting, and as a drawing medium in its own right, the seemingly simple eraser takes many forms in the hands of an artist. Since the first erasers became readily available over... Read More
Chart Your Creativity!
The sketchpad – redefined! We’re excited to announce the latest in pads and paper from the Chartpak family of brands. Designed by some of the most passionate papermakers in the industry, these pads offer outstanding papers for every media. The... Read More
Discover Oil & Watercolour Mediums
Did you know that the beautifully formulated paint you love can offer your work even more? Pair your tube colours with mediums and extend the possibilities! Mediums change the working properties of paint in a multitude of ways. They allow... Read More
Opus & Emily Carr University
Watercolour painting by Alfonso L. Tejada • alfonsotejada.com With the relocation of Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) in September, we’ve been hearing the question, “Is Opus Granville Island going to remain open?” The answer is a resounding,... Read More
Why Varnish?
The final step in a painter’s process is one of the most important: varnishing. Much like the glass on a framed work on paper, varnish offers a removable protective surface that shields your paintings on canvas or panel from dirt,... Read More
5th Annual BC Buy Local Week – Nov 28 – Dec 4, 2016
Be a Local Champion! 1. Snap a pic of some of your favourite BC business 2. Share to social media with #BCBuyLocal and you’ll be entered for a chance to win from BC Buy Local partners! Details at BCBuyLocal.com Opus... Read More
A Clear View: Present, Protect & Preserve Your Artwork with the Right Glazing
When you think of finishing a piece of artwork, what comes to mind? For many artists and art buyers, the final touch is the selection of a frame to accent the piece. In addition to providing a beautiful presentation, framing... Read More
Asking the Big Question with Pennylane Shen
Are you aiming for a professional career capturing the landscape on your canvas? Do you feel most alive when creating work that you want to talk to your audience about, educating them about what the work means? Does the idea... Read More