Find your giftee’s favorite artist and see if they offer courses. Another great gift idea is to gift them a Domestika course.

Domestika is a course platform where thousands of professional artists of all disciplines offer their courses.

Lots of famous Insta artists are on there.

Click here to buy a gift card on Domestika.

20. iPad + Apple Pencil

Okay, this one is for the big spenders.

The ultimate Christmas gift would be an iPad + Apple Pencil so your giftee can draw digitally! I gifted myself an iPad Pro + Apple pencil 2 years ago and I still use them every single day.

It is expensive, though.

When I bought mine the iPad Pro cost about $1200. The image below is an 2020 Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 128GB) – Silver (4th Generation) for $799.

As you can read in the 9,000+ 5-star reviews most people use this one for their digital art.

But you can’t create digital art on your iPad without an Apple Pencil.

The pencil that you need is a 2nd gen Apple pencil for $149:

I have to say, next to my colored pencils, my iPad and Apple pencil are my favorite art supplies. Not only do I use them for my art, but I also used them for my job.

I used to do some graphic design back in the day (and still do some!). You either need a Wacom Cintiq (waaaay more expensive than an iPad) or a Wacom without a screen (a lot harder to use) or the iPad mentioned above.

So if you’re struggling (as a parent) to decide to give your kid one of these, think of it as an investment if they might want to do design or art as a living.

21. Apple pencil 2nd gen cases

Just like protectors for phones you also have protectors for Apple pencils. Although I think the main use is that they are so cute! A perfect gift.

Get them in any color:

I have this one:

22. Procreate

Procreate is THE illustrating app that you need on your iPad. I think most of the illustrators, designers and artists who do digital art use Procreate.

The great thing is that you only buy it once ($10) and get every update for free. You can even paint in 3D with it.

Procreate is only available on Apple products, so an Android tablet isn’t compatible. Buy it in the AppStore for your giftee!

Also, you can find tons of tips and tutorials on my website about Procreate.

23. Drawing desk

Another gift (as a parent) for your giftee, is a drawing desk. They differ from regular desks in that they are able to rotate making them more ergonomic.

They also often feature extra space for art supplies which still function after rotating the desk.
Luxe Drawing Table:

Studio Designs Futura Luxe Craft Table

Vintage table:

Studio Designs Vintage Drafting Table – Distressed Black, 42′ x 30′

24. Filming Rig

A lot of (hobby) artists film their creative process. This may help them get more followers which is great for business (and it’s simply fun).

This rig is very popular right now and eliminates the need to buy a tripod + camera because this rig can hold any phone:

25. Blackwing pencils

Blackwing pencils are also known as the best pencils in the world. They are used by Disney legends and many other animation and illustrator legends.

This is such a fun and unique gift to give.

The best part is that Blackwing offers an Audition pack. It features every Blackwing pencil so you can test them out. After that, you can buy a full pack for a reduced price. You can shop them here.

26. Molotow eraser

This unique eraser is great for tiny details. I use them for all of my portraits.

Tombow Mono Zero Refillable Eraser – Eraser and Refill Pack, Round

27. Inks

The following inks are well known for being one of the best:

Liquitex

Liquitex Professional Acrylic Ink Set – Essential Ink Colors, Set of 6, 30 ml

Winsor & Newton

Winsor & Newton Drawing Ink Set – 14 ml, Supplimental , Set of 8

Sennelier

Sennelier Abstract Acrylic Ink – Set of 5, 1 oz

28. Hand protector (digital art)

To avoid your iPad from thinking you’re touching the screen, when in reality you’re resting your hand while drawing, wear gloves. These gloves prevent unwanted gestures.

Blick Artists’ Gloves – Medium, Pkg of 2

29. Gumroad brush pack

If your giftee is into digital art, consider buying them a digital brush pack. The high realism brushes by Laura H. Rubin are a bestseller when it comes to realistic portraits. You can buy it here: (Just toggle on ”Give as Gift” before checking out:)

30. Art Easel

A real easel to practice painting. Every artist’s dream!

Richeson Basset Studio Easel – Dark Stain, H-Frame

Tabletop easel:

Jullian Plein Travel Box Table Top Easel

Quartet Instant Easel – Black, Table Top, 14′

31. Paint palette

Whenever you buy a paint palette make sure it’s not plastic. Not only because it’s bad for the environment, but because water doesn’t interact well with it. The water will cling to your brush rather than stay on the palette.

Here are some fun non-plastic palettes:

Stephen Quiller Porcelain Palette – 13′ x 13′ x 1 1/4′

Richeson 7-Well Flower Palette – 7 wells

This one is made specifically for left-handed people:

New Wave Art Wood Palette – 16′ x 11′ x 1/5′, Highland, Left Hand

32. Coloring book (for adults)

Coloring books for adults are actually incredibly useful. This way the artist can practice laying down markers or colored pencils without having to worry about designing a drawing first.

A popular technique to understand your pencils!

Here are some coloring books (for adults):

Bob Ross (A classic):

Bob Ross Coloring Book

Earth and Space (I’m getting this one):

Earth and Space Coloring Book

A Splash of Color (you can also paint in it!)

Splash of Color Painting & Coloring Book

34. Masking fluid

Masking fluid is something I purchased years after getting into watercolors. These protect parts of the paper you don’t want to paint on. They come in pens and liquids:

Winsor and Newton (100% reccomend):

Winsor & Newton Watercolor Mediums – Art Masking fluid, 75 ml bottle

The Sennelier one includes an applicator tip:

Sennelier Masking Fluid – 37 ml Bottle with Applicator Tip

35. Fixative spray

To seal any precious artwork you need to protect it by applying a seal. This is one of those things an artist needs.

Colored pencil fixative:

Brush and Pencil Advanced Colored Pencil Fixative – Final Fixative, 9 oz

Fixative for most mediums:

Grumbacher Final Fixative – 11.75 oz, Matte

36. Washi tape

Washi tape is similar to painter’s tape but it’s cute. They feature all kinds of designs. The main reason to use them is because of how they look, but they are also used to create borders when painting. Lots of journalers have them as well.

Some people collect these. Here are some of my favorites:

60(!) rolls:

37. Electric sharpener

A sharpener is something every artist needs. An electric sharpener, is something pencil artists need. Electric sharpeners are a game changer. I’ve had mine for quite a few years now and I still love it!

Here are some great sharpeners to consider:

X-Acto Mighty Pro Electric Pencil Sharpener

Stanley Bostitch Super Pro Glow Commercial Electric Pencil Sharpener

38. Tickets to an art event

If you live in an area that hosts art events, consider buying your giftee some tickets! This is a great place to meet fellow artists.

Here are some great art events to consider:

• LightBox Expo
  • Animation, illustration & gaming industry event
  • Hosted in California
  • Very popular
• A local museum that carries art
• A local exhibition
• A local drink and draw
  • This is a gathering of artists to, you guessed it, have some drinks and draw together
• The Art Department – Playgrounds
  • This is an art event hosted in The Netherlands and Germany
  • Great for when you live in Europe
• View Conference – Italy

39. Wacom Cintiq (Digital drawing tablet)

An alternative to an iPad is a Wacom Cintiq. This is a drawing tablet/screen that you hook up to your computer. It functions as a second screen on which you can directly draw using a pen that comes with it.

The biggest pro of a Cintiq is that you can use any professional industry software on your computer, like Photoshop and Illustrator, which you cannot use on an iPad. The only con a Cintiq has is that you cannot easily take it with you because it’s a big screen and it must be plugged into a computer.

Wacom Cintiq small:

Wacom Cintiq 22 medium:

40. Fineliners

If you want to gift any fineliners, you should definitely go for Microns. They are THE brand when it comes to fineliners. Here’s a nice assortment of sizes:

Sakura Pigma Micron Pens – Set of 10, Black, Assorted Wide

41. What’s currently trending

Jelly gouache has been insanely popular lately. The fun packaging and consistency of the paint have gone viral on Youtube. Chances are your giftee would love to try one of these out! They’re definitely on my list.

Jelly Gouache 24 set:

Jelly gouache 56 stet:

How to find out what your giftee likes

If you’re not sure what your giftee likes, stalk them. No seriously, go to their Instagram page and look at who they follow.

Big chances are they follow some of their favorite artists. If you see that they actively like their posts, you can look if those artists sell art prints or even courses. Win!

Does the giftee post their art? If so, what medium do they use? If you’re not sure what they use, check their hashtags. They probably use hashtags that include the brand or medium they use.

Wrapping your present matters

Since (hobby) artists are visual people, they’d really appreciate the packaging. You can do something as simple as adding a sprig of a Christmas tree to your packaging.

Here are some aesthetic ways to wrap your Christmas presents:

What to buy when you feel overwhelmed

If you feel overwhelmed after all of this information, here’s a summary:

• Find out what your giftee likes (stalk them!)
• Paper is what an artist is always in need of
• An artist gets excited from nearly anything that allows them to be creative

Unfortunately, art supplies may get expensive. Buying supplies from dollar stores is not the same as buying them from actual creative stores. Trust me, I’ve tried multiple times.

This is because actual art brands have one thing in mind: Making sure their products last, because chances are, the artwork created with their products will be sold. And thus they must be light-fast (withstanding time).

Also, pigments are expensive.

But I’m sure your giftee will appreciate anything you get for them. Even if it’s a self-drawn portrait of the both of you!

I hope I informed you enough to make the artist that you love, feel loved!

Also, if you’re an artist reading this article feel free to write down in the comments what you’d love to receive this year. This way others can read it and I can add it to the list!

Merry Christmas!

♡ Laura