Unique Gifts for Artists and Art Lovers
At least once a year, someone asks me what they should give an artist in their life. This post is my answer to that :)
You’ll find gift ideas for: dabbling artists, experienced watercolorists and illustrators, and art enthusiasts in general. At the end, you’ll also find little gifts / stocking stuffers!
As an added bonus, some of the products include affiliate links. By using them, you’re also supporting me! Win-win!
Click on any of the photos or links below to shop each product.
Gifts for Casual or Beginner Artists
1. Gift an Experience
There’s nothing more fun than learning a new skill! Lots of local studios (like These Hands, where I teach here in LA) offer gift cards that can be applied to any workshop! $ Varies
2. Embroidery for Beginners
Right before I got the ‘rona, I bought this cute embroidery kit at These Hands. It came with thorough instructions that I plan to keep and I’m so pleased with how it turned out! $28
3. Beginner Watercolor Recs
Last year, I put together a blog post will all of my favorite watercolor materials for beginners. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend! It has everything a new painter needs. $ Varies
4. Elegant Paint by Numbers
I love these paint by numbers kits by Paint Anywhere. They’re beautiful and have everything you need for a soothing creative outlet. $50
Art Materials for Experienced Watercolorists
1. Shop My Supplies
Another blog post to share! I put together a list of all of my artist grade, professional supplies including brushes, paint companies, watercolor paper, and sketching supplies. Check them out here! $ Varies
2. A Luxurious Travel Palette
This travel palette from Case for Making is awesome. It fits easily in your bag and has a built in flask for water. Make sure to empty it before going thru TSA! Make sure to check out their beautiful paints, too! $68
3. Specialty Paper
Case for Making also sells unique watercolor paper pads like this circular paper. They work with a local letterpress studio to deboss a design into each sheet. I haven’t seen them anywhere else! $ Varies
4. A Dedicated Water Bowl
I was gifted one of these ceramic, brush-holding water bowls by Goldenberg Designs and love it. I use it every time I paint! The ribbed bottom cleans your brushes quickly and gently. $75
5. A Ceramic Mixing Palette
I love everything Sugarhouse Ceramics makes including this palette and brush rest. They make a variety of palettes in different sizes/shapes that are nice to mix on and easy to clean. $34+
6. Beam Paintstones
Beam is a Canadian company making gorgeous watercolor paintstones that are a joy to paint with. They’re sold individually and in curated sets and palettes. $10+
Art Materials for Experienced Drawers
1. Shop My Supplies
Ok, one last blog post to share! This includes all of my favorite artist-grade colored pencils and drawing supplies. Check it out for more info! $ Varies
2. My Favorite Drawing Pens
These Faber-Castell Pitt Pens are my go-tos. If you’ve ever used Microns, these are similar but (in my opinion) better! The nib feels stronger and they last a long time. Any artist is sure to love them! $14
3. Pencil Extenders
This is the kind of thing that people don’t think to buy for themselves but will use forever. Anyone who draws a lot will appreciate how these pencil extenders will elongate the lives of their favorite drawing materials! $9
Gifts for All Art EnthusiastS
1. Hues and Cues
If you follow me on Instagram, it’s no secret that I love this game. It’s quick to learn, fun to play, and all about the way we see color. Hues and Cues is a great time! $25
2. A Moglea Notebook
Everything Moglea makes is simply gorgeous and I love my notebook from them. Each cover is hand-painted and completely unique - writing and sketching in them feels extra special! $19
3. A Canvas Lamp
Three of us in the studio use these Canvas lamps for a reason! They are sturdy, have three light temps, and are easy to move. I recommend the solid rather than clip on base! $172
4. Art-Themed Puzzle
The Creative Process Puzzle is currently sold out on my site but you can find it in the online (and in-person) shop of These Hands Maker’s Collective! $44
5. An Artist’s Apron
Depending on your medium of choice, you might end up making a bit of a mess. I love my Artist Togs from Big Bud Press, a local (to me!) small biz. They make both full length and waist aprons. $52 - $72
6. A Paper Cutter
I received this beautiful wood paper cutter as a gift about seven years ago and have been using it almost daily ever since. It’s built to last and the blades come off easily for sharpening. $115+
7. Con/Artist
I am halfway through this biography of the art forger, Tony Tetro written by Giampiero Ambrosi and the forger himself. The details of art forgery are fascinating and the big personalities make it a wild ride! $26
8. Something Homemade!
Artists often give homemade gifts but (in my experience, at least) don’t always receive them! As a maker, I know how much time and love goes into something made by hand and it means the world. :) $0! (or material cost)
Lil gifts and Stocking stuffers
1. Sand Erasers
I used to only be able to find these magical Tombow Sand Erasers in local Japanese stationery stores but now Blick carries them! They exfoliate your paper, erasing mistakes in mediums like ink, watercolor, and colored pencil. $6
2. Color Wheel Pins
I love these spinning Color Wheel Enamel Pins from The Gray Muse on Etsy. They’re interactive and will show you a hue’s complementary, analogous, and triadic colors. They come in white or black and I’d love one in my stocking! $18
3. An Actual Artistic License
This printed “Artistic License” from Culture Hustle also comes with a $25 gift card to their store where you can buy the blackest paint and more, unless you’re Anish Kapoor ;) $25
4. Kimberly Drew’s Book
I love this pocket sized book by Kimberly Drew (@museummammy if you don’t follow her online already!) I’m half way through ‘This Is What I Know About Art’ and it has been an empowering, inspiring journey already. $9
5. Fun Washi Tape
Every year, my mom finds a fun new washi tape to stick in my stocking and it makes me happy every time! I love these tapes from Worthwhile Paper Co. $5
6. My Favorite Pen
Another find by my mom - everyone in the family got one of these ballpoint pens last year and I love mine. They’re refillable, a nice weight, and write beautifully! $12
Have other ideas?
I’d love to hear them! What are you thinking of giving the art lover in your life?
Even despite how crazy they are as a maker, I love the holidays because gift giving is so much fun. Whether you decide to buy or make a gift, it’s a great way to show someone you care.
Til next time!
