Searching for Gifts for Artists? Our Gift Guide Can Help!
Know someone who is a little artsy? Art gifts are super fun to shop for – but they can also feel intimidating.
This is because the best gifts for artists and gifts for painters are going to vary based on your artist’s skill level, studio set-up, and overall interest in art.
Whether you’re searching for artist gifts or just simple gifts for art lovers in your life, this guide is packed full of cool gifts for artists, unique art supplies, and gifts for artists who draw!
Keep in mind, this artist gift guide is written for beginner and intermediate hobby artists that really enjoy being creative. You’ll find more than enough gift ideas for artists of this caliber!
So, what is a good gift for an artist? Read on and you’ll be sure to find inspiration for what to buy an artist and/or gifts for artsy people, in general!
If you are in need of other curated gift guides for people in your life, check out these guides:
- Gift Guides By Theme: Gifts for bakers, foodies, tea lovers, & frugal people
- Search for the family: Christmas Gifts for Mom, Dad, & the Boyfriend
- General guides on Christmas Gag Gifts and cool Christmas Gifts
Great Gifts for Artists
In the following list full of artist gift ideas, we’ve tried to include items that would work for different types of artists.
At the same time, we’ve also included gifts in different price ranges to make it easy for you to find something that fits your budget.
Just a quick reminder: There are so many different artists out there. Someone who is into painting would probably need different equipment and supplies than someone who is into photography! And don’t even get us started on gifts for those who draw and digital artists.
So just remember what your artist likes to do when looking through these gift ideas since some gifts will likely be more suitable than others.
Cricut Machine
If your artist is not into painting but more into crafts, then a Cricut machine might be the perfect gift for them.
This portable DIY machine can cut different materials, giving the artists the chance to get really creative when it comes to designs and materials.
And if the gift receiver is a beginner and values step-by-step instructions, there’s good news: there are lots of craft bloggers out there who have great tutorials for using a Cricut machine!
Watercolors
A watercolor paint set is a classic gift for artists – and for good reason. Watercolors are generally pretty easy to use, making them a great choice for hobby artists and even kids.
With this watercolor set, your artist gets 40 richly pigmented colors – including some more unique metallics. Pair it with some watercolor paper and a set of brushes for the ultimate watercolor bundle!
Drawing Tablet
Does your artists prefer digital art? Then a drawing tablet might be a great gift! There are so many possibilities when using a drawing tablet – including 3D Modeling.
If your (hobby) artist has never used a drawing tablet before, there might be a bit of a learning curve. However, this could make for a very fun new challenge!
Next to the tablet itself, your artists will also get a tablet pen and a glove. But remember – in order for the tablet to work, it needs to be used with a computer.
Artists’ Color Pencils
If digital artworks are not your artist’s thing, then maybe stick to some high-quality color pencils.
Faber-Castell is a brand that we have used many times over the years and always had a positive experience with.
You can choose between different sets depending on your budget and the number of pencils you think your artist would need.
If you’re interested in giving them a gift that could help them relax, pair these color pencils with a coloring book.
Brush Holder
There are lots of smaller, cheaper art supplies that are just as important as some of the higher-priced items.
If your artist uses brushes when being creative, then a brush holder might be a useful gift for them!
If you know that your artist is just starting out and doesn’t own some of the smaller art accessories yet, then you could always get them some of the cheaper gifts and make a DIY art gift basket for them!
Just be sure to keep in mind what type of art your artist does – someone who likes to use sketching pencils probably won’t have a need for a watercolor set.
Craft Subscription Box
If you’re looking for a gift for a hobby artist that is into trendy craft projects, then this craft subscription box might be for them!
It’s great for beginner artists that appreciate instructions. It’s also great for creative people that shy away from trying new project since they are unsure how to go about it.
Photography Class
Does your artist enjoy photography and want to learn more about it? Then an online photography class might be the perfect gift!
In this Photography Course by Masterclass, Annie Leibowitz walks her students through her philosophy of taking stunning photos.
The best pat about this art-based gift? The receiver can take the course from the comfort of their home. That’s a plus considering the uncertain times we currently live in.
Easel
If your artist is into painting or drawing on a larger canvas, then consider getting them an easel – in case they don’t have one yet.
There are different easels out there, but we like the ones that you can place directly on the floor.
This frees up valuable table space for other equipment and accessories – and doesn’t require the artist to have a large table for their artwork.
Storage Solution
Many artists accummulate a lot of small tools and accessories that help them be creative. Finding a good storage solution is important so that their creative space doesn’t get too cluttered.
If your artist hasn’t found a good storage solution yet, then this organizer cart might be a gift that they would much appreciate.
Originally intended for people who are into scrapbooks, it also provides lots of separate storage space for other creatives.
Calligraphy Set
Calligraphy and hand lettering has been a trend over the last couple years – and maybe your artist(s) would like to try their hand at it as well?
A calligraphy set like this one with 33 pieces can be a fun way to be creative in a different way. And who knows, maybe it’ll become their new passion.
3D Pen
What was completely new in the hobby artist niche a few years ago, is now becoming more and more popular.
3D pens and printers (see below) open up completely new ways to show your creativity and realize exciting projects.
A 3D pen can be a great first introduction to 3D art. This might also be an interesting gift ideas for kids that want to express their creativity.
3D Printer
If your artist has already tried a 3D pen or 3D printer before and enjoyed it, consider getting them their own.
Nowadays, there are quite a few 3D printers that don’t take up too much room and can be a great addition to a hobby room.
Just make sure it’s something the person would actually be interested in before making a purchase!
Apron
Is the gift receiver into art that could get a little bit messy? Then a sturdy apron with pockets might be exactly what they need!
It’s a good way to protect (some of) their clothes. The pockets in the front also make it easy to store some smaller items that they will need again and again during their work.
Soft Pastel Set
If you have an artist who is interested in trying new painting techniques, then consider getting them a soft pastel set.
Lisa’s stepdad used to use pastels for some of his artwork – and one of Lisa’s favorite paintings of his is a pastel painting/drawing.
Pastels are quite different to work with than watercolor, but it can be a fun new experiment – if your artist is interested in trying and learning new things!
Tracing Light Box
Does your artist often trace outlines from other sources? Then getting them a tracing light box can make the process so much easier and more enjoyable.
This is not only a useful tool for sketches and drawings, but can also be great for beginners who want to try their hand at calligraphy but don’t feel fully comfortable yet.
Adobe Subscription
If your artist is interested in digital artwork, then getting them an Adobe creative cloud subscription might be a good idea.
We have the Adobe photography plan and pretty much work with either Photoshop or Lightroom on a daily basis. However, there are other Adobe programs that you could get with a Creative Cloud subscription, as well.
Before considering a gift like this, just make sure that the person doesn’t already have a Creative Cloud subscription.
Since some of these programs are very commonly used by photographers and other artists, it’s not that unlikely.
Scanner
Some artists like digitizing their paintings and/or other artwork – either to keep working on the project with digital programs or to display the art online.
That’s why having a scanner with high-resolution and color accuracy is important. If your artist is just looking into digitizing their work and doesn’t have a scanner yet, consider getting them one.
Buddha Board
Are you looking for a gift for artists that is easy to use and doesn’t make a lot of mess? Then a buddha board might be the perfect gift!
You just have to fill the stand with water and can start drawing, writing, or sketching. It’s perfect when you’re looking for a relaxing activity that won’t take lots of materials.
Once the water evaporates, your drawing will disappear as well – making it the perfect opportunity to let your mind wander and just draw.
Sketchbook
If you’re looking for a classic artist gift that will be used sooner or later, then you can’t go wrong with a sketchbook. This sketchbook has 100 sheets that can easily be removed.
We like that it is wire bound since that makes it so easy to lay the sketchbook flat on a table or your lap.
Smart Notebook
Is it important for your artists to be able to change and erase their sketches and/or notes? In that case, a smart notebook might be the ideal gift.
With the Rocketbook app, it’s also easy to upload your handwritten notes or sketches to cloud services like Google Drive or Evernote. It’s great for the artist who gets inspired while on the go and then has to sketch/write it down somewhere!
Watercolor Paper
Another classic gift for artists that paint or draw is a watercolor paper pad. And while it is intended for watercolor, it could also be used by other artists.
This is also a great gift for kids who like to be creative since watercolor paper is typically a bit thicker than normal paper.
Things to Consider When Buying Gifts for Artists
Before you buy a gift for an artist or painter, there are some things that you should consider. We briefly address some of the most important considerations in this section.
Type of Artist
Someone who enjoys sketching with pencil and someone who is interested in scrapbooking or watercolor painting will need different supplies and accessories.
That’s why it’s quite important that you’re clear on what type of art your artist is interested in before buying them a gift.
Of course, you could always get them something different if they are generally curious about art and willing to try out new things.
However, there would be little sense in buying paint brushes for someone who exclusively uses soft pastels for their artwork. That’s just something to keep in mind when looking for gift ideas!
Product Quality
The quality of a product can play quite an important role – especially when it comes to art supplies. For artists that take their art seriously, having a high-quality product is usually more important than for beginners or kids.
For beginner artists that just want to try out something new, a more affordable product of medium quality is probably fine. This is especially true if they’re not sure whether it’s something that actually interests them.
However, in general there are a lot of good quality art supplies that are not overly expensive. They are often a good choice for hobby artists.
Price
Of course, the price will also dictate what kind of gift you buy. As we’ve already mentioned, there are lots of art supplies that are in the low to medium price ranges.
It’s when you’re looking at special equipment – and often electronics – that prices tend to go up. Since there are so many gift ideas available in different price ranges, we’re pretty confident that you’ll find a great gift within your price range!
And there you have it – 21 useful gifts for artists that they’re sure to love. In the end, just remember things like the artist’s passions/interests and your budget and you should be able to make a suitable artist gift purchase!
As always, Stay Curious,
-B&L
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