A Gift Guide for Artists Big and Small, Serious and Dabblers — Part 2
How to stealthily give the gift of art time to the busy creative
Missed Part 1? Read it here.
I’ve had a few questions about gift ideas for artists, both serious and budding. Here are a few of my favorite products. This post is not sponsored and does not contain affiliate links; it's simply a list of items I’ve tried and loved! If possible, please support your independent art supply store. I’ve linked to a few of my favorite places to purchase, as they offer a lovingly curated, high-quality selection!
This list is for those who crave more creativity, but feel shy about integrating it into their work day. These tools are smaller, can stealthily blend in with office supplies, and easily transported for coffee break drawings. These are also great supplies for traveling or urban sketching!
For the friend who laments about not having enough creative time, so you’re going to help her sneakily paint during Zoom calls that should’ve been an email
Derwent Inktense Pencils | BLICK Art Materials. These are the pencil version of the blocks in the previous list. Same wonderful color payoff, but the nice thing about these is you can use it to start a drawing in one spot and then use a brush to paint it in when you have more time/room. This is what I did on my most recent trip to Czechia and found that it was a refreshing change in my usual painting routine.
Extra Fine Watercolor Sticks, High-Chroma Mixing Set. Daniel Smith is my favorite watercolor brand and these sticks are another interesting format for experimenting. You can draw with them or use a paintbrush to grab color from an end like you would a watercolor pan. You don’t need to get this set specifically—any of their colors will be wonderful to work with!
Caran d'Ache Neocolor II Aquarelle Artists' Pastels and Sets | BLICK Art Materials These are smooth and are also water soluble. They don’t perform like watercolor paints as much as the Derwent or Daniel Smith, so I’d recommend these for someone who is more drawing-curious that wants to experiment with wet media.
Watercolor Graphite Pocket Set. My mother-in-law gifted these to me last year and I have had so much fun working these into my travel drawings. They work just like pencils, but blend out into the most beautiful toned gray washes when water is added.
Escoda Versatil Travel Brushes | BLICK Art Materials. Sure, you can use a water brush if you’d like, but these brushes are special and compact, and allow you the pleasure of painting with the dregs of your coffee. I’d recommend a 4 or 6 round.
Hahnemühle Watercolor Bookmarks This is a nice small format to work in that can easily be carried or stowed. I picked one up this summer and really enjoyed playing around with an unusual size and a smooth-ish finish.
Pentalic Nature Sketch Book If you need something that looks a little more notebook-ish that you can take notes and paint into, I recommend this one. The paper is smooth so you can write easily in it, while very absorbent for water media. I have one for documenting my paintmaking sessions, which includes a fair bit of writing in addition to swatching.
Questions about other desk-friendly art supplies? Leave it in the comments!