Artist Holiday Gift Guide
Thoughtful Picks for Every Kind of Creative
Shopping for an artist this holiday season? I’ve put together my go-to list of favorite art supplies, cozy extras, and creative essentials that make perfect gifts. Whether you’re buying for a friend, a loved one, or yourself.
You’ll find all of them linked in my Amazon storefront so you can shop the whole list in one place, or browse individually below
Drawing Essentials
Basic tools that every artist appreciates. These are the tools I can always come back to: a solid pencil set, a crisp white eraser, and a sketchbook with thick, smooth paper, plus some great ink pens.
Good Quality Drawing Pencils
General's Kimberly Graphite Drawing Pencils
For both sketching and drawing, I like these pencils because of the variety in this pack. Comes with a guide on the packaging to explain the types of pencils included.
White Firm Eraser
Pentel Hi-Polymer Block Eraser Small White
This is my favorite eraser of all time! Super clean, soft, and great for removing both pencil and colored pencil.
Sketchbook for Any Art Supplies
Canson XL Series Mixed Media Pad, 9x12 inches, 60 Sheets
This sketchbook can catch pretty much anything you want to throw at it: pencil sketches to paint to ink drawings. Thick paper, but still smooth enough for fine details.
The Best Pencil Sharpener
Prismacolor Premier Pencil Sharpener
If you’ve ever been frustrated at a pencil sharpener that just eats your pencils, me too. And this one doesn’t! I’ve had mine for years and really pleased with the quality.
Fine Line Pens
SAKURA Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens
Micron pens are an essential for every artist. A great upgrade from ballpoint pens, they come in lots of different sizes. And it’s waterproof! The bigger the number, the thicker the pen.
Marker Felt Tip Pen
Zebra Brush Pen Brush Sign Fine Point
A great pen for both thick lines and thin lines due to the high quality marker-like tip. One of my favorites to have in my pencil case.
Color & Paint Picks
For when you want to add a little color to your world! These are my go-to sets for painting and coloring: perfect for quick sketches, creative play, or relaxing after a long day. They’re all easy to use, beginner-friendly, and super satisfying.
Compact but Mighty Watercolor Set
SAKURA Koi Pocket Field Sketch Kit - Watercolor Set - 30 Colors
A great watercolor set that’s easy to use, compact, and comes with a brush you can fill with water, so no need for a water cup. I’ve been using my same set since 2015; it’s sturdy!
Top Tier Marker Set
Copic Sketch Basic 36 Color Set
When people talk about professional quality alcohol-based markers, they’re talking about this. A dream set for any artist, double ended for variety and refillable.
Fun Waterbased Marker Set
Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Markers 20-Pack
A step up from Crayola, these water based markers will give any artist a good time. Blendable, double ended, and a great addition to any art supply stash.
High-Quality Colored Pencils
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils Soft Core 36 Count
Soft, vibrant, blendable colored pencils in a set that has the right amount of colors to have variety without being overwhelmed. These are professional grade colored pencils.
Quality Paint Markers
Posca Paint Art Markers, Set of 15 Medium Pens
Everyone likes these. These paint markers are fun to use, have bright colors, and easy to draw with.
Digital Art Favorites
If you know someone who loves drawing on their iPad or drawing tablet (or maybe that’s you), this section is packed with essentials that make life a little easier. From screen protectors to drawing gloves, these picks make digital art feel smooth and natural.
Make Digital Feel Traditional
2 Pack Paper-Feel Screen Protectors
Having a paper texture on a tablet screen can make digital drawing feel more natural.
Drawing Glove
Artist Glove for Drawing Tablet
Does you hand stick to the screen or your tablet get really warm? Try this. It helps your hand glide across your tablet, assisting with smooth linework and coloring.
Adjustable Tablet or Laptop Stand
Laptop Stand Adjustable Portable Aluminum for 10" - 17"
If hunching over like a shrimp and developing back pain from years of bad posture sounds like a terrible time, this stand is for you! Use it to elevate your tablet while working to avoid neck and shoulder pain.
Get Started with Digital Art Pack - If you want to be your artist’s favorite person this holiday season, and they want to get started with digital art, gift the list of items below.
Small iPad Pro
Apple iPad Pro 11-Inch (M4) Storage: 512GB, Color: Space Black
If I was starting over with learning digital art today, this is the iPad I would buy. It’s the smaller of the two iPad Pro options, making it a great option for someone just starting out.
Drawing on the iPad
Apple Pencil Pro
You need an apple pencil to draw on the iPad, and this is the newest one with pressure sensitivity. Pairs great will drawing apps.
Great Case for Drawing on iPad
Zugu Case for iPad Pro 11 (M4/M5) 2024/2025
This is the case I have for my iPad! I’ve used it for years and it holds up, provides protection, and most importantly, it lets you stand it up for drawing.
Drawing Program
Procreate
This is a drawing app a lot of iPad users enjoy using. Recommend this app to you artist, or if you artist is in you household, preload the app onto their device before gifting.
Procreate Basics Demo
Procreate Beginners Series: Part One | The Fundamentals
This is Procreate’s YouTube channel where they walk through all the tools on the app. Share this with your artist so they can have a fun time learning how to use their new program.
Cozy Extras
Art time is even better when you’re comfy. Think cozy socks, warm blankets, and cute mugs that make you smile while you work (or procrastinating 👀).
Art for your Toes
5 Pairs Fun Famous Painting Cotton Art Socks
When you run out of room for art on your walls, I guess wear them on your feet!
Artist Coffee Cup
Rainbow Novelty Artist Mug
A cute, creative addition to your morning routine.
Snuggle Up with Art
Starry Night Throw Blanket, Lightweight Flannel Fleece, 50"x60"
Want to get cozy and draw all curled up? Use this blanket, large and plush.
Stocking Stuffers Under $14
Small gifts with big creativity! These are the kind of little art goodies that always put a smile on an artist’s face. Gel pens, washi tape, sketchbooks, and other fun finds that are perfect for stocking stuffers.
Fun Pens for Fun Times
Gelly Roll Moonlight Pastel & Opaque Gel Pens - 10 Pack
Great for writing notes or scribbling doodles, the opaque and vibrant ink will stand out.
Cute Decorative Tape
32 Rolls Floral Decorative Washi Tape Set
I use these to add a little bit of fun to my sketchbook and the snail mail I send out.
Prompt Filled Sketchbook
301 Things to Draw - Creative Prompts to Inspire
I love prompt sketchbooks, and this one is a lot of fun. It helps me draw things I normally wouldn’t and grow my skills faster.
Great Calming Creative Activity
The Reverse Coloring Book™: The Book Has the Colors, You Draw the Lines!
A fun and easy way to relax and unwind.
Goldmine of Artist Info
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
Every little golden nugget of information I’ve received over my freelancing career is in this book. A must read for creatives.
Ready to start shopping? You can find everything in my Amazon storefront, or mix and match your favorites to build your own artist bundle.