Find the Perfect Gift for an Art Student
We’ve all been there, shopping for a Christmas or Birthday present in a department you know nothing about. It’s frustrating.
You’re not the artist, your loved one is. You don’t know much about markers, colored pencils, paint, paper, and art supplies…
But whoa! There are a lot of junky gift suggestion articles out there, full of ads and annoying pop-ups. And the actual gifts? Ugh.
Sick of wasting time looking for great art-supply gifts?
Tired of wasting money on presents which gather dust?
We’re here to help!
It’s hard to buy art supplies for creative friends and family if you don’t know anything about art. Professional Illustrator Amy Shulke provides practical gift ideas & advice. Make your art student happy by giving smart tools and products guaranteed to be useful and provide inspiration.
What makes me an expert on this subject?
Two things:
I have a BFA in Illustration, 1994. Many of the supplies my parents purchased for my freshman year of art school are sitting here on my desk and in drawers right. now, still in daily use. I’ve learned a thing or two about the benefits of durable, quality supplies and the heartache that comes from low-quality tools.
My daughter is currently working on her BFA. I’ve spent the last 3 years purchasing quality materials to last her a lifetime.
Hi, my name is Amy; I’m a professional freelance illustrator and art instructor. I’ve been doing artsy stuff for forty-umph years.
My family has always given me art supplies for birthdays and Christmas.
Can I share a secret?
Here’s what the artist in your life is afraid to say:
I love that you want to please me, and I really appreciate this set of pencils and paper… but the pencils don’t sharpen well and I’m honestly not sure what I can with this thin paper. I wish I could ask if you saved the receipt but I really don’t want to hurt your feelings…
Over the years, I’ve been given a lot of art supplies which I simply can’t use.
There are a lot of bad art supplies out there. Many are packaged in trendy, eye catching kits which seem like a great gift.
But a gift unused is money wasted.
Let’s start buying gifts which your artist can use and appreciate.
I’ve created this Creative’s Gift Guide series to provide honest advice to non-artists.
You’ll notice, there are no ads along the side of this article. I didn’t lure you here for the traffic or clicks. No blinking pop-up bonuses; no limited time offers.
I’m simply sharing practical and frank information here.
I’ve gathered a list of reasonably priced basic art supplies for high school, college, or adult education art students.
Then I’ll give you a blurb about why it MAY OR MAY NOT be a good gift for your special person.
If you want more information, there’s a link to the product description. The links are part of a few affiliate programs but relax, my link does not affect your purchase price.
I strongly encourage you to shop around for the best price or for something similar but more suitable. And please, be sure to check out local independently owned art stores in your area! They’re full of great ideas.
Remember, in this article, I’m just giving you a starting point.
Now let’s find your special artist a really good gift!
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We absolutely do not link to products or services which we have not tested. Recommended products are all used in our studio frequently.
Gift Ideas for Art Students
Give Them Money!
Every semester, your art student will receive 3-5 supply lists, each a mile long. Pencils, pens, paper, paint, everything and anything.
They’re not suggested supplies, they’re required.
And don’t get me started on refills, replacements, and last minute things they need for unexpected projects.
It’s not glamorous but the absolute best gift you can give is an Amazon Gift card. They can shop for the best prices on required supplies at Amazon or at Blick.com (a gigantic fine art retail chain which accepts Amazon gift certificates).
They can even buy textbooks with Amazon certificates!
Trust me, they need this. Throw in a couple of smaller gifts if you feel like a card isn’t spiffy enough. But take my word for it, they’ll sing your praises on a snowy January day when they’ve just run out of Phthalo Blue Red Shade Heavy Body.
The Best Portfolio Bag:
Every drawing student carries a big ol’ pad of paper plus a drawing board to class. Even if your art student is studying sculpture, jewelry, or underwater basket weaving, they still have to take drawing classes.
They need a portfolio case.
I dragged a 92 pound portfolio around campus for 5 years. I still use the same case today. It’s sturdy, waterproof, and you can probably bury my body in it someday.
For Audrey, we found this wonderful lightweight bag with an ergonomic shoulder strap. I was so jealous!
Heavy Duty Carry-All:
She took it.
Snuck in, in the dead of night, from my studio. She took it.
Now she won’t give it back.
When I asked for her input for this article, she said “Hey, be sure to list that ArtBin box you gave me!”
No, she took it.
If you purchase ANYTHING for your art student, look at ArtBin first. I still use my original ArtBin tackle-style box from 1989. They can withstand a nuclear attack or splatting in the parking lot when you accidentally drive off with it on your car roof (true story).
She took it.
Drawing Pads:
Many classes will call for drawing pads to be used in class. Most drawing specific classes may require 2-3 pads per semester for homework.
I went through a lot of pads and my daughter is doing the same thing 30 years later. She’s not even a drawing student!
Pads. Pads. Pads. Pads.
Start them with a variety. 9x12 is standard and Strathmore is our preferred brand. Spiral is usually a requirement. Avoid glue-bound “tear a sheet” type pads; they fall apart.
Brown label is most expensive and it’s overkill for doodles. Yellow is fine for most needs. A “Mixed Media” is handy for specific projects. I loved the “Toned Tan” for life-drawing classes.
Drawing Pencils:
Specialty pencils will appear on all of your student’s required supply lists. Every instructor favors a different pencil hardness and your student will develop a preference of their own.
I think it’s good to start them out with one of each. They can sample them all plus they have the weird number when a teacher calls for it.
I started with Prismacolor Turquoise and Ebony pencils (pencil brands, not colors) and I still use them today.
I’m not in love with the middle eraser or the sharpener in this set but the pencils are FAB. U. LOUS.
Rulers for a Lifetime:
Okay, this is tough. I’m still using my original rulers from college. They’ve survived late night binges with a herd of elephants. But the company who made them just closed (Gee, thanks, Covid!) so I can’t recommend my brand for you.
Your student needs a variety of CORK BACKED rulers. I put CORK BACKED in all caps because CORK BACKED rulers are used for clean drawing lines with ink— something they’ll do all the time. REGULAR RULERS MAKE MESSES.
Plastic rulers are also a no-no. We use rulers to cut straight lines with X-acto knives and plastic rulers are basically a one-use ruler. If you accidentally shave off a bit of plastic, they’re not straight anymore.
I recommend getting 3 sizes, you’ll find them all at the same link. Get a shortie 6 inch, a medium 12 inch, and a 36 inch yardstick. Yes, they’ll use the heck out of the yardstick.
They’ll also need a T-Square. For T-Squares, cheaper is NOT better because cheap ones tend to be not-very-square. As an illustration & commercial art student, I carried my t-square to most classes but my daughter only uses her’s once in a while. I recommend the 24 inch version which is small enough to fit in a portfolio bag but large enough to cut long lines cleanly.
Techincal Fine-Line Pens:
I’m the old lady, I call them technical pens. My daughter says they’re fineliners.
No matter what you call it, your student will need them.
Black ink pens in a variety of sizes. There are many brands out there of various qualities. Your student will develop a preference based on how they feel in the hand, the nib responsiveness, and the cost vs. lifespan calculation.
Just start them off with a quality set and they’ll figure it out eventually.
I really like the newest set to hit the market, from Winsor Newton. A nice weight, sturdy nib, and comfortable grip. Plus the ink is nice and dark. I’ll link to two other popular brands.
If your art student will be working with Copic markers, make sure that their fineliners are Copic-safe. You can find my Copic-safe technical pens recommendations here.
Cutting Blades:
I studied illustration and commercial art. In that department, we cut everything with a fresh blade. I used my knife daily and went through blades faster than I went through ramen noodles.
I’m all for zipper cases and kits. This seems like a good one, useful, especially if you remove the display plastic.
I’ve linked to the blade size I still use today, but maybe only on a weekly basis. If you can find them in the plastic dispenser, they’re much safer (that’s the sad voice of experience talking there… ouch!).
I’ve also thrown in a link for good scissors. People steal scissors, so this is the best brand in the inexpensive category.
Best Drawing Board:
I purchased a bunch of these for students to use at retreats. Many ask to buy them from me at the end.
Audrey begged to take a couple to school.
I guess I sell drawing boards now.
They’re lightweight enough to be carried to class, they fit in the large portfolio bag above, and cheap enough that if you damage it, it’s no big deal to replace. Perfect for school.
Give them a Rainbow:
Okay, this list has become far too practical!
How about we end with a gorgeous rainbow?
These Cretacolor water soluble pencils didn’t exist when I was in school but I own them now and love them. I know I would have used the heck out of them in drawing classes.
They can be used dry for gorgeous sketchy color.
Or dab them with a wet paintbrush to get beautiful watercolor effects. Your art student will love them as much as I do!
More Gift Ideas:
We’ve updated all of our older lists with fresh links and current information!
