Are you searching for a gift for an artist or creative person?
Art supplies are expensive and nobody wants to waste money on junk… or have your gift gathering dust in a closet.
And let’s face it, if your creative person is serious about art, they already have lots of supplies.
What don’t they have?
So you search the internet for ideas… but let me warn you: As an artist, I laugh at most art supply lists. They’re usually not written by serious artists, let’s call them art-adjacent bloggers looking to score easy cash. The suggestions are silly fluff and cheap student grade stuff.
Where are the real presents for real artists?
Ahhhh, you need advice from a professional artist who uses quality art supplies every day.
I’m here to help!
My name is Amy. I’m a professional illustrator and art instructor.
I was artistic as a child, now it’s my career.
So I’ve received a lot of art supplies as birthday and Christmas gifts. Fifty years of cute art supplies and fancy gift-box assortments.
Unfortunately, artists don’t use cute stuff.
Professionals and serious hobby artists use higher grade materials which don’t come in holiday sampler packs
Here’s what the special artist in your life is afraid to ask:
Would you mind if I exchanged this for the paint, pencils, or ink I’m running low on? Would it hurt your feelings if I trade this for something I really need?
Let’s buy a gift your artist can actually use!
I’ve created this Creative’s Gift Guide series to provide honest advice to non-artists.
Gift Ideas for artists who sketch, draw, color, or watercolor
I’m a mixed media illustrator which means I draw with pencil and then color my drawing with a combination of alcohol markers, colored pencils, watercolor, or gouache.
If you’re searching for a gift for a sculptor, potter, or oil painter, you’ll want to find a different gift suggestion list from an artist who specializes in that field.
I’m not sponsored by any art supply companies. All items were purchased with my own money.
If you want more information, I’ve provided a link to a reputable retailer, the same place I bought mine. These are affiliate links but that doesn’t affect your purchase price. And again, I only recommend stores I buy from.
This article is just a starting point!
Please shop around for the best price or use my idea to find something more suitable for your artist.
And please, be sure to visit local independently owned art stores in your area! They’re full of great ideas.
Let’s find your special artist a great gift!
16. Let them choose
I always start here because we really don’t know what your special artist wants or needs. We don’t know which brands they prefer. We don’t know which paint tubes are running low or which pencils are down to nubs.
The Amazon Gift card lets your creative person to purchase exactly what they want or need.
I’m not just suggesting Amazon because it’s easy for you.
Amazon cards can be used at DickBlick.com
I don’t know any artist who wouldn’t love to spend money at Blick. They carry every art supply imaginable plus unique art storage containers and studio furniture.
15. Quality Drawing Pens & Pencils
I’m not a fan of kits because they’re usually mediocre products or the box has one thing I’d use and ten things I’ll never touch.
The Urban Sketching Set is an exception. I don’t have this set but I own and use every pen and pencil in it. I’ve recommended Monolith pencils on prior gift lists and the Sanguine is my favorite oil pencil for gesture drawing.
This is a good sample of Cretacolor’s best products.
Every artist needs a drawer of useful pencils. We tend to buy only what we need but sometimes we get an idea and it’s wonderful to discover that you already have the perfect pencil or several possible candidates.
14. Artist Grade Alcohol Markers
Alcohol Markers are popular now due to the many cheap brands from Asia flooding the market. Art markers have always been expensive; the knock-off brands are tapping into the desire for big marker collections without having to scrimp and save. Sadly, most are a waste of money, even their rock bottom price is too high for what you get.
OLO is different. This is an intelligent artist grade marker! They’re refillable but without the spongy core which is the most fragile part of a marker. OLOs are customizable, their 2-part design allows for a different color on each end or choose the same color but different nibs.
Most important— the OLO color numbering system is logical. The colors palette is small but wicked-smart.
I have 30 OLOs and I’ll be combining them with my Copic collection. The brands work well together.
I recommend a small set to give your special artist a taste of OLO. Even if they’re not a marker artist, they’re fun to sketch with and everyone needs a few colorful markers.
13. Color Theory
I teach color theory classes and I’ve learned that people have a hard time visualizing color relationships. The color wheel is an overused tool which relay much usable information. Wheels are pretty, not practical.
This globe on the otherhand— I almost cried when I saw it. This is the wheel everyone needs!
First, it’s not expensive. Second, it looks great sitting on a desk. And third, it’s incredibly helpful to hold a dimensional model of desaturation, a concept which is always confusing to beginners but also some pros.
12. Colorful Novelties
If all you know is that your special person “is an artist” but you don’t know exactly what they do or the tools they use… (no shame in that)… try an art themed gift instead of blowing a home run buying the wrong art supply.
An artist can always use zipper bags, cases, and tote bags. We’re always looking for things to put our things in. This vintage color wheel line of products are guaranteed to make your artist smile.
My links direct you to a page to see the many options they offer in this design series. I have the small navy zipper bag and I like it.
11. For Young Artists
This is not another novelty gift. Sure, they’re cute and Pantone is always a classic, but that’s not why I’m suggesting this gift.
The Pantone Postcard Challenge is trendy with younger artists. The 20-somethings and younger know exactly what to do with these cards.
Every postcard presents a new color challenge to the artist. They draw and paint over the color square, choosing a theme to highlight the featured color.
As an art instructor, I love this concept! Too often, students try to wing-it with their color selection. This challenge forces them to concentrate and stay faithful to a plan for the entire exercise. It’s harder than you think!
Add a bottle of this special gesso— they’ll need to prepare the postcard before painting.
10. Paint Samples
Watercolor is expensive; small tubes or half pans of can run $5-20 each. The average artist can use 20+ colors, so it adds up fast. Add to that, there are many watercolor brands and they all make 50+ colors. There’s just no way to inexpensively try them all.
Ahhh, but there is. Watercolor dots are a small squish of real paint which can be rehydrated for use… and a dot goes a long way! A dot collection is like inviting your artist to a buffet; they can try a little bit of everything.
Daniel Smith makes several dot collections. The little quotes on this set make a very sweet gift.
9. Travel Watercolor: Brushes & Paint
Hang on to your hat… Good watercolor brushes are NOT cheap but bad brushes are frustrating to work with. This is the mid-price brand I recommend to students but this is a fun travel version of their larger brushes.
It’s pricey but I do give you a range of gifts on this list.
If you want something relatively inexpensive to go with the brushes, Colorsheets are vibrant color that’s easy to pack and they’re quick to dry in the field.
8. Silver and Gold Details
I’ve liked the Kuretake white brush pen for years. This white is always in my travel kit.
But somehow I never knew about the silver and gold versions. Both metallics are dense color which lays down easily and dries fast. Most metallic pens are actually sparkle pens which look sparkly, not metallic. These look like realistic satin finished metal when dry.
Perfect for illustrators, comic artists, and those who draw or sketch.
7. Thick and Thin Lines
Fude (foo-day) is a brush style pen from Japan. We’ve had them in the US for years but this is the best fude pen I’ve tried— by a longshot!
Fude means “bend” and that’s what this nib does. With light pressure, you can draw thin lines. With more pressure, the nib bends resulting in thicker lines. It’s like calligraphy but for those who draw.
This pen is mostly safe for use with Copic Markers but test to be sure. Some paper can allow minor smearing.
If your artist is an illustrator, comic artist, marker artist, or urban sketcher, they will love this gift. If they already have one, they’ll appreciate another. Win-win!
6. Sketching Pens and Paper
I’ve been testing sketchbooks and journals this year, searching for the best paper for Copic Markers. My top notebook so far is this one from Stillman and Birn.
Pair it with a set of Copic Multiliners for an excellent gift.
I’ve noticed that the newest generation of Copic fans are unaware that Copic makes compatible fine line pens. Most fine pen brands are NOT safe for use with alcohol markers so these Copic-safe pens are an important tool.
They come in a variety of colors. I’m linking to a nice set at Amazon, the full assortment at Blick. The most popular sizes are 0.5mm and 0.3mm.
Want more gift ideas? Click to see products we use and recommend:
5. Beautiful Pen & Ink
Remember, I’m an illustrator so you’re going to get more drawing tool suggestions from me than an artist who works with paint.
Ink is where sketchers get to play with color and there’s no better brand with better colors than Ferris Wheel Press.
If we’re talking gifts, they’re simply amazing. FWP’s packaging is jaw-drop beautiful. Every box, insert, and bottle is a little work of art.
Their large bottle is shown here. They also have sample sets with three inks on a theme. I’ll link to their basic fountain pen as well. I recommend the F (fine) nib.
4. Pencils and Swivel Storage
I tend to cram pencils, pens, and tools into an old spinning caddy which is bursting at the seams. Unable to find the same caddy, I found this version and loved it enough to buy another for my cutting counter. Divided caddies are essential to keeping tools upright and visible. The lazy susan bottom works well.
Blackwing pencils are a treat for any artist. This is a true drawing pencil designed for people who take graphite drawings seriously. Their limited edition sets are clever. This is copper, my favorite metal but I also received a Beatles set for my birthday with lyrics on each pencil.
3. Healthy Hands
I guarantee this item will not be on any other art list but it’s my most-used find of the year.
I always have cold fingers and as I age, I’m developing early onset arthritis which is worst when my hands are chilly. I also know a ton of artists with carpal tunnel issues, some of them very young!
This is a rechargeable handwarmer, it’s palm sized and incredibly comforting. I have two and one is always in my pocket, even in the summer.
Hand stress is real and it’s more common than you’d think.
I love it. Please bury me with one. Your artist friend will appreciate it too.
BTW, these sold out last year at Christmas and were backordered for months. Get yours early, just in case.
2. Opaque Paint Pens
I don’t remember how or when I found these markers but I’ve taught several Copic classes with them this year and I absolutely love them.
Alcohol markers have one major drawback— they’re transparent which makes it really hard to hide mistakes or add last minute details. I’ve been teaching detail techniques for years with a tint-able white paint pen, now we finally have a selection of colors which include brights but also some very natural greens, browns, and taupes.
See samples here (porch details and grass) and also here (ocean waves and foam).
Brush Pens: I have sets A and B.
Extra Fine Pens: I have all four sets. Good colors in them all and the only repeat is white (which is good!)
Don’t forget about last year’s winner…
2022 Tool of the Year:
Blackwing One-Step Long Point Sharpener
Wait, just a pencil sharpener?
But it’s a really good one! Artists are picky about sharpeners. For years, I’ve recommended this amazing sharpener here for graphite but especially colored pencils. It’s a great sharpener… but it’s a TWO step sharpener.
Two steps adds up when you sharpen every few minutes.
This Blackwing sharpener creates the same point in ONE step.
It sounds silly but removing one step reduces the chances of breakage and it’s so much faster!
And the Top Tool of the Year for 2023 is:
Listen up, colored pencil fans…
Drumroll please…
Top Pick: White Stabilo All-Pencil
What’s so great about this pencil?
There’s a problem with white colored pencils: most are terrible!
They look white but they’re really a thin, ghostly white. You can’t use them over other colors because the color below shows through!
For years, I’ve recommended two moderately decent white pencils, they’re the best of the worst:
Prismacolor Premier #PC938 (Amazon link) is the most opaque white of the true colored pencils. It’s more opaque than anything from the more expensive brands (shame on you Polychromos, Luminance, and Holbein!)
Prismacolor is the most opaque but it’s not fully opaque.
For a fully opaque pencil, I previously recommended the Derwent Drawing pencil in Chinese White (Amazon link). It’s more opaque than Prismacolor but it’s not a real colored pencil. This “drawing pencil” is super soft— soft like a bar of soap. It doesn’t sharpen well, it’s funky to use, but it is opaque and it’ll stick in situations where other pencils can’t.
The problem is that Chinese White is not white-white. It’s yellowish, which is a problem when you’re trying to make cool-white highlights.
This year’s top product, the Stabilo All Pencil is the love-child of my two favorite white pencils. It’s opaque, it’s soft, and it’s white-white!
When everything is burnished and nothing else will stick? Try Stabilo.
When you need an opaque white for eye highlights or reflections on glass? Try Stabilo.
When you want a highlight with soft edges? Melt your Stabilo marks with a damp paintbrush. It’s water soluble!
I’m having great success with this pencil and so are my students. Again, it’s not a true colored pencil— it’s actually designed for writing on glass or metal… but man, it really works!
This is a vital addition to every colored pencil artist’s toolkit.
More Gift Ideas:
We’ll be updating our older lists with fresh links and current information for 2023 soon! In the meantime, you’ll find some good ideas here, even with a few dead links.
