Gift Guide to surprise and delight an artist

by Sandy Allnock | Nov 18, 2018 | Bible Journaling, Colored Pencils, Copic/Alcohol Marker Beginner, Watercolor, Watercolor Pencils

Rather than give my followers things to shop for….this Gift Guide to surprise and delight an artist is aimed at those who love to support the artist in their life with treats to surprise and delight them on Christmas morning! The video is a little longer than I hoped, and I didn’t include everything in it – but there’s plenty of info in this post.

Artists: if you desire to give Santa a hint, share this post – and select the image for the category you’re hoping to fill your stocking!

Each section below contains an infographic in case you need to know what some of the items look like; and a link list of the items to make shopping as easy as possible! Stocking stuffers for each type of artist are called out in that list…and I do hope this makes the gift season go smoothly for everyone! Watch the video below or click HERE to see it in HD on YouTube.

Below are links to the supplies I’ve used for today’s project. Compensated affiliate links may used, which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support toward the costs of running this blog! Read more.

Copic Markers

These are high-quality alcohol markers, with a scheduled price increase in 2019 of about $1 per marker. They’ll make a great gift! Don’t be tempted to try the cheaper knockoff markers; they’re nothing like this brand and don’t perform well. Really. Believe me.

• My color recommendations are HERE, but be sure to compare my chart to your artist’s collection!
• Hex Chart – order it to be sent to yourself, print it and wrap it up for Christmas morning!
• Copic Markers and refills – category of both at Ellen Hutson (a trusted craft retailer) and Blick (trusted art retailer)
• Super Brush Nibs at Ellen Hutson | Blick
• Colorless Blender at Ellen Hutson | Blick
• White Uniball Signo Gel Pen at Ellen Hutson | Blick
• Neenah Cardstock, reams, Ellen Hutson (Solar White, Natural White)
• Neenah Cardstock 25packs, Ellen Hutson (solar white 25pk, natural white 25pk, cream 25pk, desert storm 25pk)
• Copic Classes available at art-classes – if you want to give a class and not have them get the notification yet, order on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Or order as if sending to YOUR email address, then send them the gift card code later.

Bible Journaling

I’m a recent author – so Bible journaling is something I’m passionate about! There’s a whole website about the book HERE – be sure to let your artist know about it, as there are many free resources they can access there!

• Bible Journaling Made Simple book and workbook:
  • SIGNED books available at Ellen Hutson :: Book | Workbook
  • Christian Book Distributors :: Book | WorkBook
  • Barnes & Noble :: Book | WorkBook
  • Books a Million :: Book | WorkBook
  • Amazon :: Book | WorkBook
  • Powells :: Book
  • Indiebound :: Book | Book
  • ThriftBooks :: Book | WorkBook
• Bibles are a personal choice; if you know your artist well – you may be able to choose one for them. But see the Bible Buyer’s Guide and see if one looks perfect for them! (Those shown in the guide are ones I personally have and can vouch for; look for favorite translations, cover designs, etc.)
• Art Supplies:
  • Pencils – all three brands work great; Prismacolor is most affordable:
    • Prismacolor Pencil Set of 12 at Ellen Hutson (a trusted craft retailer) and Blick (trusted art retailer)
    • Prismacolor Pencil Set of 24 at Ellen Hutson | Blick
    • Luminance sets at Blick
    • Polychromos sets at Blick
  • Watercolor Pencils: Inktense are reasonably priced and great pencils (don’t forget to get a brush too)
    • Derwent Inktense Pencils, Set of 12 at Ellen Hutson | Blick
    • Derwent Inktense Pencils, Set of 24 at Ellen Hutson | Blick
    • Albrecht Durer sets at Blick
    • Museum Aquarelle individual pencils at Blick (sets are super pricey but a fun treat for an artist!)
  • Silver Brush #8 Round at Ellen Hutson | Blick
  • See the Watercolor section later in this post for more detail on the sets shown in the video. Recommended for Bible journalers might be the Floral set or Ultimate Mixing set.
  • Stocking Stuffers:
    • Watercolor Dot Card at Ellen Hutson
    • White Uniball Signo Gel Pen at Ellen Hutson | Blick
    • Nesting water cups at Ellen Hutson
    • Micron pens (black) are great for journaling and don’t bleed, at Blick
    • Kneaded eraser Ellen Hutson | Blick
    • Stick eraser Blick
    • Handheld sharpener Ellen Hutson | Blick
  • Bible Journaling Classes available at art-classes – if you want to give a class and not have them get the notification yet, order on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Or order as if sending to YOUR email address, then send them the gift card code later.

Colored Pencils

• Colored Pencils: All these are great brands:
  • Prismacolor (buy a HEX CHART if desired )
    • Full set Ellen Hutson | Blick
    • Singles Ellen Hutson | Blick
  • Luminance (buy a HEX CHART if desired)
  • • Full set Blick
    • Singles Blick
  • Polychromos (buy a HEX CHART if desired)
    • Full set Blick
    • Singles Blick
• Papers:
  • Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Ellen Hutson
  • Stonehenge Blick
• Pencil Storage
  • 150 pencil case Amason
  • pencil cases (canvas) Blick
  • pencil cases (faux leather) Blick
• Misc:
  • Electric QuietSharp sharpener Blick
• Stocking Stuffers:
  • Kneaded eraser Ellen Hutson | Blick
  • Stick eraser Blick
  • Handheld sharpener Ellen Hutson | Blick
  • Gamsol Ellen Hutson | Blick
  • Blending Stumps Ellen Hutson | Blick
  • Dusting brush: Amazon

• Colored Pencil Classes available at art-classes – if you want to give a class and not have them get the notification yet, order on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Or order as if sending to YOUR email address, then send them the gift card code later.

Miscellaneous treats for artists

• Glass Mat for crafters is a great gift! Available at Ellen Hutson.
• Gemini Junior is a diecutting and embossing machine I’ve used a ton in 2018 and can recommend! Available at Ellen Hutson.
• Give the gift of EDUCATION! Give a gift certificate to the artist to choose the class they desire; if you order on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, then they’ll get their code by email right away. (Black Friday sale prices will also happen on Christmas Eve and Day, so they can sign up for classes at a discount and your gift will go further!)
• For artists who make videos:
  • Arkon Stand – The Table Desk Stand is the one pictured; search the site for the right connectors and extenders based on the type of work the artist will be doing. (I attach THIS to the bottom of my camera.) There’s also a stand that clamps to a desk rather than having the flat stand; look around for the parts your artist will need. Use coupon code sandyallnock for automatic 20% off the entire purchase!
  • New phone or camera – for the generous Santa to give.
  • A new SD card compatible with the artist’s camera.

Watercolor

• Beginning Watercolor Supply Bundle (discounted group of items)
• Watercolor Paper:
  • Arches Cold Press 9×12 pad at Ellen Hutson (trusted craft retailer) or Blick (trusted art retailer)
  • Arches Rough 9×12 pad at Ellen Hutson | Blick
  • Arches Hot Press 9×12 pad at Ellen Hutson | Blick
  • Arches Cold Press Full Sheet at Blick
• Watercolor Paints and main palette (see below for more on the individual little sets):
  • Daniel Smith, Essentials Set of 6 tubes Ellen Hutson | Blick (these are used in several of my classes)
  • Sample Dot Card at Ellen Hutson
  • Schmincke Palette at Ellen Hutson | Blick
  • Half Pans at Ellen Hutson | Blick
• Brushes:
  • Silver Brush Black Velvet Watercolor Brushes:
    • Short Round 8
    • Short Round 12
  • DaVinci Cosmotop Spin Brush:
    • Mottler Flat Wash 30
• Stocking Stuffers:
  • Spray Bottle at Blick
  • Eraser – Factis or Kneaded eraser
  • Hardbord at Ellen Hutson | Blick
  • Artist Color Wheel at Blick
  • Pocket Mixing Guide at Blick

• Watercolor Classes available at art-classes – if you want to give a class and not have them get the notification yet, order on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Or order as if sending to YOUR email address, then send them the gift card code later.

Daniel Smith Half Pan Sets

Each of the sets is pictured below (pin them if desired, of course!) – and the colors are listed and linked below each one. Know that not all have every option that you may want to consider – but I tried to pick some interesting colors, and more than needed to fill in the palette. So pick out a few for a special treat for your artist!

• DANIEL SMITH Ultimate Mixing Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick
• DANIEL SMITH Floral Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick
• DANIEL SMITH Colors of Inspiration Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick
• DANIEL SMITH Blues Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick
• DANIEL SMITH Sketcher Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick
• DANIEL SMITH Earth Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick

DANIEL SMITH Floral Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick

Floral set includes: Hansa Yellow Medium (EH DB) Quinacridone Gold (EH DB) Phthalo Blue Green Shade (EH DB) Cascade Green (EH DB) Green Apatite Genuine (EH DB). My suggestions: Cobalt Teal Blue (EH DB) Lavender (EH DB) Wisteria (EH DB) Rose of Ultramarine (EH DB) Quinacridone Lilac (EH DB) Mayan Violet (EH DB) Pyrrol Orange (EH DB) Cadmium Red Medium (EH DB) New Gamboge (EH DB) Rich Green Gold (EH DB) Sap Green (EH DB) Spring Green (EH DB)

DANIEL SMITH Earth Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick

Earth set includes: Buff Titanium (EH DB) Raw Sienna Light (EH DB) Bronzite Genuine (EH DB) Venetian Red (EH DB) Burnt Sienna Light (EH DB) Lunar Black (EH DB). My suggestions: Raw Sienna (EH DB) Quinacridone Deep Gold (EH DB) Bloodstone Genuine (EH DB) Neutral Tint (EH DB) Payne’s Blue Gray (EH DB)  Azurite Genuine (only available at DS in-store) Amazonite Genuine (EH DB) Jadeite Genuine (EH DB) Undersea Green (EH DB) Amethyst Genuine (EH DB) Purpurite Genuines (EH DB) Rhodonite Genuine (EH DB)

DANIEL SMITH Colors of Inspiration Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick

Colors of Inspiration set includes: Lavender (EH DB) Wisteria (EH DB) Rose of Ultramarine (EH DB) Moonglow (EH DB) Shadow Violet (EH DB) Serpentine Genuine (EH DB). My suggestions: Indian Yellow (EH DB) Aussie Red Gold (EH DB) Phthalo Yellow Green (EH DB) Cobalt Teal Blue (EH DB) Iridescent Electric Blue (EH DB) Kyanite Genuine (EH DB) Blue Apatite Genuine (EH DB) Carbazole Violet (EH DB) Imperial Purple (EH DB) Anthraquinoid Scarlet (EH DB) Rose Madder Genuine (EH DB) Opera Pink (EH DB) **NOTE: extra purples added to this list because if you’re a fan of the 6 colors included, you likely are a fan of purple!

DANIEL SMITH Sketcher Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick

Sketcher sets Includes: Hansa Yellow Medium (EH DB) Quinacridone Rose (EH DB) Ultramarine Blue (EH DB) Cerulean Blue Chromium (EH DB) Monte Amiata Natural Sienna (EH DB) Transparent Red Oxide (EH DB). My suggestions: Nickel Azo (EH DB) Serpentine Genuine (EH DB) Undersea Green (EH DB) Cobalt Teal Blue (EH DB) Sedona Genuine (EH DB) Bloodstone Genuine (EH DB) Moonglow (EH DB) Paynes Blue Gray (EH DB) Payne’s Gray (EH DB) Neutral Tint (EH DB) Lamp Black (EH DB) Lunar Black (EH DB)

DANIEL SMITH Blues Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick

Blues set includes: Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Genuine (EH DB) Cerulean Blue (EH DB) Lunar Blue (EH DB) Indigo (EH DB) Sodalite Genuine (EH DB) Payne’s Blue Gray (EH DB). My suggestions: Buff Titanium (EH DB)  Bronzite Genuine (EH DB)  Raw Sienna (EH DB) Lunar Earth (EH DB) Perylene Maroon (EH DB) Nickel Azo (EH DB) Serpentine Genuine (EH DB) Green Gold (EH DB) Green Apatite (EH DB) Hookers Green (EH DB) Deep Sap (EH DB) Perylene Green (EH DB) .

DANIEL SMITH Ultimate Mixing Half Pan Set, Ellen Hutson | Blick

Included: Buff Titanium  (EH DB) Hansa Yellow Medium(EH DB)  Quinacridone Gold (EH DB)  Pyrrol Scarlet  (EH DB) Permanent Alizarin Crimson  (EH DB) Quinacridone Rose (EH DB) Ultramarine Blue (EH DB) Cerulean Blue Chromium  (EH DB) Phthalo Blue Green Shade  (EH DB) Phthalo Green Blue Shade  (EH DB) Goethite Brown Ochre  (EH DB) Burnt Sienna  (EH DB) Indian Red  (EH DB) Raw Umber  (EH DB) Jane’s Gray (not able to be purchased.)

If you’ve read this far, a little treat will be coming: I’m redoing my dot card! I have to pick which kids stay and which will replace exiting colors. Yikes!

Books

Last but not least: art books! I have a growing collection of book recommendations that would make great gifts.

• Watercolor:
  • Jean Haines’ Atmospheric Flowers in Watercolour  
  • Gordon MacKenzie, The Watercolorist’s Essential Notebook – Keep Painting! 
  • Thomas W. Schaller, Architect of Light: Watercolor Paintings by a Master 
  • Catherine Gill, Powerful Watercolor Landscapes: Tools for Painting with Impact
  • John Salminen – Master of the Urban Landscape: From realism to abstractions in watercolor
  • Tom Hoffman, Watercolor Painting: A Comprehensive Approach to Mastering the Medium
  • Anna Mason, Anna Mason’s Watercolor World
  • Michael Reardon, Watercolor Techniques: Painting Light and Color in Landscapes and Cityscapes
  • Ron Stocke, En Plein Air: Watercolor (this is in preorder, coming out in December. So excited!)
• Drawing;
  • Rudy De Reyna, How to Draw What You See
• Colored Pencil:
  • Alyona Nickelsen, Colored Pencil Painting Bible: Techniques for Achieving Luminous Color and Ultrarealistic Effects

WHEW! That might be THE single longest blog post ever written. Thanks for visiting!