Eleven Top Picks: Gift Guide for Artists 2017

As it’s the season of giving, I’ve put together a gift guide for creatives heavily influenced by my own wishlist and/or things I already own – and it’s not just for Christmas. If you’re stuck on what to buy the creative and/or artistic individual in your life (or you want to treat yourself!), here’s a list which I hope will solve your gifting woes.

Quick note, this guide leans more towards artists who draw or paint but there are some universal ideas here too. Also, most of these items are linked via Amazon as I shop there for almost everything.

Paints: Winsor & Newton

From £2.75

For those of us who paint, a good quality selection of our main medium is always welcome. Winsor & Newton do excellent quality paints in sets or individual tubes, and they’re quite affordable too. My favourite ranges are their Cotman Watercolour range (in the tubes) or their Designer Gouache, depending on what type of paint you’re looking for.

 

Art Books

From £5.37 *

Books can serve as priceless tools for artistic instruction and visual aid. Personally, I love collecting art books, displaying them in my work space and keeping them within reach for reference – and if they’re aesthetically pleasing, they’ll make fantastic coffee table books too. Below are some of my top picks – although do bear in mind, some are quite subject-specific.

Paintbrush Roll

£8.99 *

Travelling with art supplies can be tricky for artists, especially brushes as the bristles are quite sensitive and must be protected from being squashed or pressured during commutes. A brush roll is great as it not only protects the bristles, but also keeps brushes organised, neat and accessible on-the-go. A winner for the artist who travels a lot.

Artists’ Paper

From £9.70 *

Art paper comes in various types and a good quality paper provides a luxurious and/or enjoyable foundation for any work. In particular, Khadi paper – which is made from cotton – makes a delightful gift; below you can find hardback Khadi paper sketchbooks in either rough or smooth textures, small or medium sizes – and at a very affordable price. Also, a personal favourite: the Canson Moulin du Roy Watercolour Paper – you can read my review here.

 

Beechwood Easel

£54.95

Now I’ve always wanted an easel and in all honesty, there are some decent budget options out there – that being said, a trusty well-made easel is worth investing in as it’ll serve well and last for years. This full-length one from Daler Rowney is down from £125.00 to just £54.95, offering a mega discount. It’s made from premium oiled beechwood and can be adjusted to suit artist’s preference – and the online reviews look pretty good too.

LED Desk Lamp

£9.99 *

Especially useful for those who do colour-sensitive work (e.g. painting). LED desk lamps provide a bright white light which help an artist to work in low light conditions, such as on cloudy days or in dimly lit rooms. And most importantly, the light has a white and ‘neutral’ glow unlike the yellow hue from regular light bulbs, thus ensuring colour accuracy and clarity. I have one (linked below) and I never go anywhere without it.

Art Storage & Carry Case

£13.99 *

A fantastic option all-round, this is a great solution for the artist who owns endless art supplies (so that’s most of us then!). It boasts four storage cases with eighteen compartments and customisable dividers, all encased in impact-resistant plastic. As an artist, I can’t stand clutter and I also want to carry all my supplies with me wherever I go, so this is an excellent all-in-one concept. Be right back, I need to order one for myself..

Ready-Made Glass Terrarium

£64.95

Plants are the perfect companions in any art space (or desk), and what could be better – and easier to maintain – than a desk-friendly terrarium? You just can’t go wrong with these beautiful miniature gardens of low maintenance succulents guaranteed to bring an elegant touch of life. Below you’ll find some excellent ready-made options to make a fuss-free impact.

 

Ergonomic Desk Chair

£69.99 *

A good chair is the very backbone of productivity – sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun. But in all seriousness, an ergonomic desk chair is an excellent practical gift which not only provides comfort and ease, but can also prevent back pain associated with strain and posture. The chair linked below also comes in an aesthetically pleasing cream shade too.

Art Courses

From £320.00

Artists of every level generally love a good art course, and it doesn’t even have to be about their specific medium. Creativity is both transferable and therapeutic so go ahead and treat that artsy soul. There are some affordable options out there, but PSTA and Art of Islamic Pattern – both based in London – do some incredible second-to-none courses which can impact an artist for life.

Artsy Ballpoint Pen

£12.99 *

If all else fails, you can never go wrong with a lovely well-designed ballpoint pen. Now, I’m very specific about pens; the feel of the nib against paper, the weight, how it feels to hold and write with, and whether or not it makes me look like a cultured well-respected poet. I can’t promise all of the aforementioned with this find, but it does look beautifully unique in its wooden encasing, and any artist would be pleased with that.