About ordering from Art to Basic

If you’re ordering from Art to Basic, you’re not dealing with a big warehouse, a ticket system, or a “do not reply to this email” situation.

You’re dealing with me.

I care a lot about how it feels to receive something handmade. Not just the paint itself, but the whole experience. So if you have questions before ordering, after ordering, or in the classic moment where you open the package and go “wait… what is this one again?”, just write to me.

I answer myself, and I’m happy to help.

Warranty

Everything is made by hand in small batches, and yes, I stand behind it.

The warranty covers manufacturing issues, meaning: if something arrives damaged, clearly wrong, or not as it should be, contact me and we’ll fix it. Simple.

It doesn’t cover damage caused by storage or creative chaos (for example leaving half pans in a wet tin for two weeks in a sunny window while the cat sits on it). But if something feels off, just reach out.

When you’re happy, I’m happy. It’s very Scandinavian like that.

Payment

Payments are handled securely through Stripe and PayPal.

If you’re interested in wholesale orders, write to me directly at hello@arttobasic.com and I’ll help you out.

Shipping (and a small honest note)

Orders are usually shipped within a few days.

I ship worldwide, and I pack like a person who knows these paints are not “just products”, but small handmade things that took time to become what they are.

Now here’s the slightly annoying part:

Because of shipping logistics, I currently have to route many international orders through Sweden. It’s basically a little Scandinavian detour. Denmark ➝ Sweden ➝ the rest of the world.

So yes, delivery time can be longer than you’d expect.

On the bright side, your package gets a mini holiday in Sweden. On the less bright side, it’s not exactly Amazon Prime.

Duties and import fees

If you’re ordering internationally, there’s also something important I want you to know:

I cover duties and import fees.

So you don’t get that dreaded surprise bill from customs that feels like being mugged by your own country. The price you pay is the price you pay.

I wanted it to feel safe and predictable, even when you live far away.

Returns and exchanges

You can return unused items in their original condition and packaging within 30 days.

Once I receive the return, I process the refund shortly after.

If you want to exchange something, just contact me first so we can do it in a smooth way. I’m very into smooth ways.

Caring for handmade watercolors and gouache

These paints are made from pure pigments and water-based binders.

They don’t need special rituals, but they do benefit from being treated like handmade materials, not plastic objects.

Let your pans dry between uses.

Store them in a dry place away from direct heat.

Activate them with clean water.

Avoid leaving pools of water sitting in the pans for long periods.

If you use gouache, treat it like watercolor. It rewets again and again, but it prefers clean water and a chance to dry between sessions.

Good brushes and a clean palette help keep the colors clear and responsive.

And if you ever wonder how to store them, travel with them, or why one pigment behaves like a diva compared to another, just write to me. Sharing the material knowledge is part of what I love.

Much love, Mette