At this time of year, I like to gather together some of my favourite and most recommended ideas for presents for artists – whether that means the artists you know and love, or the artist you are! {Or both!}
So here are some of the discoveries I made this year, some favourites, and some offerings of my own.
As always, the focus is on upliftment and increasing the joy in your artist life and process. 😊
Rigger Brush
This might seem oddly specific, but I bought one of these this year in a size 6 and it has become one of my favourite brushes.
The bristles are soft and fairly long, so you have less control, and it can make smudgy thick lines or delicate slender ones of varying strengths.
Small but versatile!
Great for: Diversifying your line work, playful mark making, deliberate loss of control
A Happy Artist Mug
I love my Happy Artist Mug! I designed it on a whim and it’s become a firm favourite {despite my love of a handmade mug!}.
Just the thing for that essential hot drink while you’re working – just don’t mistake it for the paint water. 😉
It’s available in my Etsy shop in various colours and two sizes {in white}.
Great for: The all important studio beverage, general upliftment, a reminder of who you really are 😊👩🏼🎨
CHOOSE YOUR HAPPY ARTIST MUG | COLOUR | WHITE
Horadam Granulating Watercolours by Schmincke
I’ve shared about these before but they are SO GOOD!
Some art supplies just give back year after year, and for me, these are those kinds of supplies.
They’re versatile – I use them with acrylics and other media, on paper, wood panel, and canvas.
The granulated colours create beautiful subtle effects, and they can be rewetted if they dry on the palette.
They’re not cheap, {although the pans are less expensive than the tubes} but a little goes a long way, and I haven’t had to replace a tube yet.
In fact I’ve just seen they’ve brought out some new colours – I know what’s going on my list!
Great for: Bringing more fun into your process, subtle colour shifts, delicate details
The My Creative Year Planner
Another item I designed based on my own needs, and which has proved helpful for other artists, this planner is immediately available as a digital download.
So you can make it work for your unique needs, and print out the pages you need in the quantities you need them.
There are three sizes too. Last year I got this lovely binder {in Sea Foam, of course 😉} and it’s been brilliant for my A5 planner.
Great for: Flexible planning, personal practice and professional artists, keeping track of progress, planning projects and collections, staying inspired
Golden Acrylic in Iridescent Copper Light {Fine}
Another enduring favourite for me, this warms up a painting and gives it an extra bit of eye catching shimmer when the sun shines on it.
I use it in different ways: straight from the bottle for details, or mixed with other colours for a wash.
It separates in a really beautiful way when you water it down, to create soft glimmering effects.
Great for: adding shimmer and warmth, bringing the unexpected to your art {it ‘wakes up’ when it’s sunny!}
The Artnotes Collection
⭐️NEW!⭐️ I am thrilled to be able to share this!
I’ve been writing Artnotes for almost a decade, and they have become a much loved feature of my work.
And now they’re available in Kindle book format, beautifully presented and including a selection of the most popular over the years.
I think of it as having a creative encourager in your back pocket!
It’s available for pre-order until December 4th, meaning you can purchase it now and it will automatically download to your e-reader on that date!
Great for: Encouragement, insights, inspiration, validation, and practical tips you can take into the studio
Oil Bars
Also known as oil sticks or pigment sticks, these are amazing for bold thick lines, and can be also be smudged and softened to create clouds of colour.
I find they work beautifully with my water based media, and can provide a bold pop of colour and texture when I want to mix things up.
Great for: Bold mark making, versatile addition of opaque colour
3 Months Membership of the Happy Artist Studio
Maybe I’m biased 😉, but I think this would make a lovely gift.
The three month bundle gives you a saving of 10% and a solid amount of time to dive in and get the full experience, but there’s also the monthly option for a taster, and, if you’re feeling really generous – or someone wants to be generous to you! – there’s the annual subscription, which includes two months free.
Great for: Guidance, learning to express yourself fully through your art, encouragement, making new artist friends, focusing on your process and practice, gaining confidence in your artist voice and in sharing your work with the world
FIND OUT MORE | 3 Month Bundle | Monthly Subscription | Annual Subscription
For lots more gift ideas:
- Gifts for Artists {for Christmas and beyond!}
- A Gift Guide for Artists {11 ideas for Christmas}
- An Artist’s Gift List {present ideas from practicing artists}
- A Gift Guide for Artists
- Gift Ideas for Artists Large and Small
- Art Books {a selection of art books by and about women}
What’s on your wishlist? Share your gift ideas in the comments!
