Do you have an artist on your list for the holidays coming up? Are you struggling to come up with gift ideas for their birthday? Are you an artist yourself, struggling to come up with gift ideas for your artist friends? Maybe you just want to get yourself something to make the other artists go "Oooooh!" Well, friend, you're in luck because I'm about to make your life easier with this list of 12 gift ideas for the artist in your life!
Canvases of all shapes and sizes!
Canvases of all shapes and sizes!
12. Canvases, papers, boards, etc. Basically, surfaces to make art on! You may be unsure what size your artist might prefer - I recommend getting something unique! Maybe a shape other than rectangle or square (triangle, circle, hexagon, etc.) that your artist might not have considered. Or maybe a color other than the standard white, like a black stretched canvas or a pad of colored papers! This would be an inexpensive option, too, since you wouldn't have to buy a lot of them. Even just one or two unique surfaces to art on would be a cool gift!
11. A sketchbook or notebook. I'm not sure of any type of artist that couldn't make use of a good sketchbook. Even musicians and writers could jot notes in a lined notebook. I personally prefer a hardcover, bound sketchbook (my wire-bound sketchbooks in the past would get bent and out of sorts after a few years.) My last sketchbook lasted me ten years, and was given to me by one of my artist friends! I always thought of her when I used it, and I had it so long it was an emotional event when I finally filled it up. Here's a link to the sketchbook I chose to replace it, which I was extra excited about because it has lay-flat pages!
10. Graphite/charcoal/colored pencils or pens. There's a huge variety of sets available - as well as individual pens/pencils/etc. You can ask your artist if they have a favorite brand, or get something new that your artist wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves! Prismacolor brand is used by many professional artists and while some of their larger sets can get spendy, I found this Prismacolor Mixed Media set that includes colored pencils, watercolor pencils, and half a dozen markers!
9. Paint or marker sets. Similar to #10 above, there's a wide variety of paint and marker sets available for purchase. I wouldn't worry about giving your artist a duplicate set that they already have, because the more we use our supplies, the sooner we run out and need more! Even inexpensive paints and markers are great for using in sketchbooks or in the planning stages of a piece of art.
Stained bristles are a sign of my favorites!
8. Brush set. This one might require some input from your artist, as there are many different brush types out there. Your artist could have a preference between long or short handles, stiff bristles or soft, and so on. Just like the last two gift ideas, though, brushes become worn out and do need to be replaced!
7. Brush holder. A PSA to all the non-painters reading this: you can't leave your brushes sitting bristle-end down in your paint water, or it will ruin them faster than you can say "happy little trees!" A holder helps to protect your treasured tools from becoming destroyed prematurely. The holder doesn't need to be anything fancy; in fact, I interviewed an artist who uses a modified pool noodle to hold her brushes!
6. Gift card to an art supply store! Have you noticed a trend with the suggestions so far? Artists always need more supplies for making art! That's right, there's no such thing as having too many art supplies. There are a number of art supply chain stores where you could pick up a gift card, but I recommend buying a gift certificate to a local art shop because supporting local artists, galleries, and art businesses directly supports your community. But... if your artist has run out of room and their studio looks like a hoarder's paradise, then maaaaybe you should skip the supplies for something in the top five gift ideas below.
5. Art class or studio time. Remember those local art businesses I was just talking about? A lot of galleries, shops, and even local artists have studio time and teach classes that you can sign up for! Personally speaking, I would be hesitant to go to an art class by myself. But if a friend said they wanted to go to one with me, I'd clear my schedule in a heartbeat!
4. An artsy shirt. Help your artist show off their love for art! I have a Batman shirt in the style of Van Gogh's Starry Night. Come to think of it, I also have a Starry Night-style Storm Trooper shirt too! I love them both, and wear them often as they wonderfully blend my love of art with my love of pop culture, and in 100% cotton!
3. Famous artist themed stuff! Okay, now that I'm really thinking about it, I have another shirt similar to my Starry Night ones, but it's Bob Ross painting a beautiful swirling galaxy. I also have a stuffed Bob Ross plush that lives in my studio... aaaand a Bob Ross Chia Pet on my desk at work. Whether it's my good buddy Bob, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, or another well-known artist, we all have our favorites that we draw inspiration from!
Yes, this is a picture of my actual socks on my actual bed.
2. Art masterpiece socks. I was gifted a set of socks that have famous art masterpieces on them some years ago and I have never before loved socks like I love these socks. I especially adore them because the design is at the top, making it easy to hide under your very professional slacks while you are at your day job!
1. Art by another artist! This one deserves to be listed as the #1 grand finale! As artists, we love other artists' art just as much, if not more, than our own! While original art can be expensive, there are often inexpensive options like prints, magnets, or greeting cards that you can purchase and give to your artist as a gift. Plus, if you buy it from a local gallery or shop, you are supporting multiple art businesses at the same time!
There you have it! Twelve fantastic gift ideas for the artist in your life - great for holidays, birthdays, or any other reason you want to give your favorite artist a gift! I know I'd love anything off this list *cough,cough,Jon*. 😉
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