Thanksgiving gives you the chance to show real appreciation for creative people. Artists pour themselves into their work, and a thoughtful gift can fuel that passion.
Finding the right present for an artist takes some care. The wrong brand or duplicate supplies waste money and disappoint. Know their main medium before you shop—painters need different tools than digital creators.
Premium Watercolor Sets For Traditional Artists
High-quality watercolors transform how artists work. Professional pigments blend smoothly and shine brighter than student-grade options.
Holbein Or Schmincke Watercolor Pans (under $100)
Holbein and Schmincke make some of the finest watercolor pans available. Their pigments deliver luminosity that cheaper paints can't match.
A smaller set of either brand fits your budget. Look for 24 or 36-pan options that give artists variety without breaking the bank. These pans last for years with proper care.
Daniel Smith Or Winsor & Newton Professional Tubes (under $60)
Daniel Smith tubes give painters incredible pigment concentration. Professional watercolorists recommend them for good reason—the colors stay vibrant and mix beautifully.
RELATED: Are Daniel Smith Watercolors Worth It?
Winsor & Newton Professional line offers similar quality at comparable prices. A set of 12-24 tubes provides enough variety for most projects. Artists burn through burnt sienna and ultramarine blue fast, so these colors make smart choices.
Portable Easel Stand ($150)
A quality easel allows artists to work. The Inspire Plein Air Easel handles both studio and outdoor painting.
This easel adjusts up to 58 inches tall. It supports canvases from 15 to 26 inches without wobbling. The design stays stable on uneven ground. The frame resists water and stains. Artists can paint outdoors without worry. A quarter-inch screw mount on top holds lights or phone cameras.
No assembly slows you down with this model. The hook below keeps bags and tools within reach. Lightweight construction makes transport simple.
Professional Colored Pencil Sets ($40)
Serious artists need professional colored pencils. Faber-Castell Polychromos and Caran d'Ache Pablo pencils deliver rich, oil-based pigments.
A 36-count set gives artists enough colors to start. These pencils hold sharp points for detail work. The oil base allows smooth blending and layering.
Polychromos pencils resist fading over time. Their cores stay strong and break less than wax-based options. Professional illustrators rely on these for finished pieces.
Specialty Paint Sets (Gouache) ($25)
Gouache offers opacity that regular watercolor can't provide. Illustrators and graphic artists love this medium for its coverage.
Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache delivers consistent results. The paint dries to a matte finish perfect for scanning. Each tube contains concentrated pigment that stretches far.
Holbein Acryla Gouache brings acrylic permanence to gouache texture. Once dry, this paint becomes water-resistant. Artists can layer without disturbing previous work.
Quality Brush Sets ($40)
Professional brushes make painting easier and more enjoyable. Princeton Aqua Elite travel sets work great for watercolorists on the move.
Natural and synthetic bristles each serve different purposes. Synthetic brushes hold their shape better for detail work. Natural hair holds more water for washes.
Look for sets with various sizes and shapes. Round brushes handle most tasks, while flats cover large areas fast. A size 8 round brush proves useful across multiple mediums.
Entry-Level Graphics Tablets For Digital Artists
Digital artists need pressure-sensitive tablets to work. Screenless models offer the best value for beginners and intermediate creators.
Wacom Intuos ($50)
The Wacom Intuos remains the industry standard for entry tablets. Small and medium sizes both fit this budget range.
Wacom's pressure sensitivity feels natural and responsive. The included software bundle adds value. Artists get access to drawing programs right away.
This tablet connects via USB and works with major creative software. The active area gives enough space for comfortable drawing. Wacom's build quality means this tablet lasts for years.
XPPen Deco Mini 7 Wireless or Deco Fun L ($40)
XPPen tablets offer solid performance at lower prices. The Deco Mini 7 Wireless provides freedom from cables.
This compact tablet fits in bags for portable digital art. Eight customizable shortcut keys speed up workflow. Battery life lasts through multiple drawing sessions.
The Deco Fun L gives more drawing space for the same price. Tilt recognition adds natural pen control. Both models work with Windows, Mac, and Android devices.
Huion tablets ($60)
Huion builds reliable tablets that compete with pricier brands. Their pressure levels match what professionals use.
Many Huion models include pen holders and extra nibs. The pens don't require batteries or charging. Surface texture mimics paper for familiar feedback.
Driver software updates improve performance over time. Huion offers good customer support for setup issues. These tablets handle photo editing and 3D sculpting too.
RELATED: Art Studio Setup Must-Haves For Any Budget Or Space
Art Software & Digital Asset Gift Cards
Digital artists need more than hardware. Software and assets expand what they can create. Procreate gift cards work for iPad artists. This one-time purchase app dominates mobile digital art. Brush packs and texture sets enhance its capabilities.
Clip Studio Paint subscriptions support comic and manga artists. The software handles both raster and vector work. Monthly or yearly plans fit different budgets.
Digital marketplaces sell brushes, textures, and 3D models. A gift card to these sites lets artists choose what they need. This approach avoids buying something they already own.
Quality Art Bags & Carrying Cases ($65)
Organization helps artists work more efficiently. A proper bag protects supplies during transport.
The Soolla Studio Bag features multiple compartments for different tools. Waterproof materials shield contents from weather. Padded dividers prevent pencils and brushes from breaking.
Plein air painters need bags that hold panels and paints. Look for bags with adjustable straps for comfort. Some include built-in palettes for convenience. Pencil rolls keep colored pencils organized by color. Canvas or leather rolls last longer than cheap alternatives. These compact solutions fit in larger bags or stand alone.
Archival Art Journals & Sketchbooks ($25)
Artists always need more drawing surfaces. Quality paper makes a real difference in final results. Strathmore 500 Series journals use thick, archival paper. The binding lies flat for easy drawing across spreads. Mixed media paper handles wet and dry techniques.
Arches watercolor blocks eliminate buckling problems. The paper stays taut while wet, then dries flat. Cold press texture suits most painting styles.
Hardbound sketchbooks feel more precious than spiral versions. Artists take them more serious when the book looks professional. Square formats offer interesting composition options.
Gift Cards
Sometimes the best gift lets artists choose for themselves. Gift cards remove the guesswork from shopping.
Blick (starts at $5)
Blick stocks nearly every art supply imaginable. Their website makes finding specific brands simple. Artists trust Blick for quality and selection. Fast shipping gets supplies to recipients quick. Customer service handles any order issues well.
Blick runs frequent sales and promotions. Gift card recipients can stretch their value further. The store caters to all skill levels and mediums.
Amazon (starts at $5)
Amazon gift cards offer maximum flexibility. Artists can buy supplies or non-art items they need. The selection includes major brands and budget options. Prime shipping speeds up delivery times. Reviews help recipients make informed choices.
Some specialty supplies cost less on Amazon than art stores. International brands appear here before reaching physical retailers. The convenience factor matters for busy creators.
Storage & Organization Solutions ($30)
A tidy workspace improves focus and creativity. Proper storage extends supply life and saves money.
- Colored pencil organizers sort by color for quick access. Clear containers show what's inside without opening. Stackable designs maximize desk space.
- Paint tube racks keep oils and acrylics visible and upright. This prevents caps from drying out and wasting paint. Wall-mounted options free up table space.
- Brush holders protect bristles from damage. Horizontal storage prevents bent tips. Some include lids to keep dust away.
- Flat file cabinets store finished artwork and paper safely. Drawers protect pieces from light and moisture. These cabinets handle large-format work that won't fit in portfolios.
Conclusion
The right gift shows you understand an artist's passion. Quality supplies demonstrate your respect for their craft.
Consider combining items to reach your budget. A watercolor set pairs well with a nice sketchbook. This creates a complete gift that inspires immediate use. Remember that artists appreciate thoughtful choices over expensive mistakes.