10 great gift ideas for artists

For the last few years I’ve shared a list of gift ideas for artists for the festive season, and since it’s that time again, behold! I bring tidings of great joy. 😊

Whether it gives you ideas for your own list, for your artist friends, or to let your loved ones know what you’d like, I hope you find something to inspire you here!

{Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!}

Gelli Plate

This one’s on my list this year!

I’ve been curious about Gelli Plates for literally years, and never actually got round to getting one. I enjoy monoprinting for its unpredictability and flexibility, so next year is the year I give it a go!

{We’ll also be having a lesson on it in the Happy Artist Studio which I’m looking forward to!}

👉 Get a Gelli Plate here

Air drying clay

We used this in the Into Nature course for some fun creative projects in collaboration with the natural world.

I also used it to create my bird strings {tiny bird shapes on fishing wire that hang on long strings, a bit like a floor length mobile}. It’s easy to use, no kiln needed, and you can paint it when it’s dry.

👉 Get air drying clay here

Watercolour Postcards

There are lots of brands of watercolour postcards, some come in tear off pads, some in tins like these from Hahnemuhle.

I recently bought these and they have lovely curved edges, although they aren’t as thick as some I’ve tried.

A really super present would be a set of these and the Painted Postcards workshop!

👉 Get the watercolour postcards here

Brusho Powder Paint

I discovered these this year and they feel like a best kept secret!

I’ve never seen anyone talk about them before. They’re not high end paints, but they have good lightfastness, and a little goes a long way.

Plus they’re incredibly cheap, so you can buy a few and create a set.

You can use them like watercolours, or just drop a pinch on a wet surface and watch the magic happen!

👉 Get Brusho paints here

Artist’s Keyring

Something fun, especially if you’re on a budget, and this one can be personalised with the recipient’s birthstone and initial.

Plus it’s made by a small business, and it’s always nice to support those when we can.😊

👉 Get an artist’s palette keyring

A Happy Artist mug

The must have for any happy artist! 😉

I designed this mug for myself, and then decided more of us should have one, so it’s available in my Etsy shop in various colours and sizes.

I use mine several times a week {as a mug fan I have quite a few to cycle through!}, and it’s the perfect size for tea or coffee, with a handle you can slip your hand through. {It’s the little things.}

👉 Get your happy artist mug here

Sketchbook Challenge

I found this while cruising Etsy and love the simplicity.

It’d make a great gift for those of us who either don’t have a lot of time, or much bandwidth for making art, but want to stay connected with our artist selves.

A year of weekly prompts you can carry with you for waiting rooms, impromptu drawing outdoors, or whenever you have a few minutes.

👉 Get the Sketchbook Challenge

Soolla Studio Project Bag

Something to put it all in!

I’ve had my eye on this bag for ages; it’s a bit more spendy than the other suggestions, but I love how versatile it is, for different types of artist, from painter to ceramicist, and a good size for plein air.

👉 Get the project bag here

Permission to Be an Artist by Megan Auman

Megan is a long time teacher and mentor of mine.

Full disclosure, I haven’t yet read this one, but I know it’ll be a well researched, feisty, galvanising read!

If you’ve followed my work for a while you’ll know I’m all about permission to call yourself an artist, because it’s one of those things that seems small and yet really holds a lot of artists back.

👉 Get the book here

Make Cards From Your Art

How about an experience, rather than a thing?

I recently released this half hour workshop, which guides you through a very simple process for repurposing those old, unfinished, or didn’t-work-out paintings on paper into gorgeous cards you can use year round.

Also? It’s just $9. I think that’d be a really cool present, even if your budget is small!

👉 Get the workshop