Holiday Gift Guide
During the holidays we get so many requests for gift recommendations! Below you can find a list of recommended art supplies, tools, classes and events that the creative person in your life may enjoy.
Happy Holidays!
The Basics:
Here are some of the basic supplies that every artist needs to get started. These are also the recommended supplies in all of our classes & workshops.
Drawing Supplies:
Drawing Paper: Stonehenge - your basic, beautiful, high-quality drawing paper.
Pencil Set: Steadtler - My highest recommended pencil brand is Steadtler. Get a whole set so the artist in your life has everything they need.
Kneaded Eraser - This eraser looks like puddy but makes erasing easy. Can be formed into small shapes to get into tiny areas, and doesn’t leave eraser marks or residue.
Blending Stomps - Used for blending. You can never have too many of these.
Sandpaper Pad - If the artist in your life is tired of buying new blending stomps, get a sandpaper pad. Can be used to file down the blending stomps so they can be re-used.
Painting Supplies:
Brushes:
Paint Colors:
Palette Paper:
A-Frame Easel - There are lots of easels out there, this one is on the less expensive side but is a good starter easel.
Table-Top Easel: If space is an issue, a tabletop easel can be set up on any table or desk with ease.
Something Extra Special:
If your loved one already has the basics and you want to get them something extra special, here are some supplies that are extra nice:
Drawing Supplies:
Eraser Pencil - shaped like a pen but the point is a rubber eraser. Helps the artist erase in those tiny or detailed areas.
Electric Eraser - Handy for those areas that just won’t erase no matter how hard you try!
Dark Pencils - These pencils are extra dark, giving more depth to drawings.
Toned Paper - If your artist likes to experiment, drawing on toned paper can make the drawing process extra interesting!
Be sure to also pick up a White Chalk Pencil too, so they can sketch in those highlights!
Painting Supplies:
Rosemary Brushes - Michael Klein Synthetic Rounds
Trekell - Flats or Filberts
Masterson Art Box - The artist’s palette fits right in this box, which has a cover on top to keep the paints fresh for several days.
This can be used either with a Glass Palette, or disposable sheets of Palette Paper.
Easel - There are many variety of easels out there, but this is my recommendation. H-Frame easels are sturdier than A-frames, and can sit upright or lean back to the artist’s preference.
Edge-pro Easel - For the avid landscape painter. This paintbox unfolds like a laptop, holding the palette on the bottom and the painting on the top. It can attach to any tripod to become an easel, and folds up easily when you are done. This is a pricier item, so I only recommend it if the creative person in your life loves painting landscapes outside!
If you are looking for a less pricey alternative, a French Easel is a good runner-up.
Recommended Books:
Alla-Prima II - Everything I Know About Painting by Richard Schmidt
Oil Painter’s Color Handbook - Todd M. Casey
Classical Drawing Atelier - Juliette Aristides
Give a Creative Experience!
Give a creative experience instead! Gift them a class, a workshop, or better yet, take one together!