This gift guide for artists is a curated collection of tools, creative kits, and cozy essentials for painters, kids, and anyone who loves to make something beautiful.
Before we dive in, here are quick shortcuts if you’d like to jump ahead:
Jump To:
- Gifts for the Artist: Essential Art Supplies for Painters
- Cozy Studio Essentials for Artists
- Wellness Gifts for Artists & Painters
- Audiobooks for Artists: Best Books to Paint to
- Creative Gifts for Kids & Art-Loving Families
Seen here: Blick Studio Stretched Canvas Gallery, 12″x12″, Unbleached Titanium in Liquitex Soft Body, Masterson Sta-Wet palette paper, Mars Black in Liquitex Soft Body, and Princeton Select Synthetic Brush set.
Gifts for the Artist: Essential Art Supplies for Painters
These are the tools I use every single day as a professional pet portrait artist. This section of my gift guide for artists highlights the supplies I reach for most. Whether you’re brand new to painting or hoping to refine your craft, these supplies will support you beautifully.
If you’re exploring new materials or upgrading your setup, this gift guide for artists makes it easy to choose the tools that truly matter.
And if you’d like to see my full studio setup, you can grab My Top Secret List of Acrylic Art Supplies, a detailed guide to every paint, brush, canvas, and tool I truly depend on.
Acrylic Brushes
Reliable, responsive brushes are essential for blending fur and building delicate detail.
- Princeton Select Series Set No. 23, set of 7: Perfect for beginner to advanced. The chisel blenders are my constant companion for fur, texture, and soft transitions and this set includes my favorite sizes.
- Princeton Select Flat Wash 1/2: Great for laying down smooth background layers, or adding the first layer on a larger painting.
Liquitex Paints (My Studio Staples)
- Titanium White (Heavy Body): Wonderful to use when you want more coverage, or add more brilliance during that last layer.
- Unbleached Titanium (Soft Body): My go-to blender for bringing out the yellowish-brown tones that show up in so much fur.
- Mars Black (Soft Body): Ideal for blending, and a little goes a long way, especially with black in soft body.
Basics Acrylic Paint Set
- Liquitex Basics Acrylic 24-set: My favorite introductory set to cover the basics.
Stretched Canvas (Blick Studio)
- Blick Studio Premier Gallery Cotton Canvas 12×12: A beautiful, reliable canvas for both beginners and seasoned artists. The 1.5 inch depth makes it look and feel more like a gallery piece.
Palette Essentials
- Masterson Sta-Wet palette: This paper keeps paint workable longer. I only use the sheets attached to a small clipboard, but many of my students use the full set, linked here.
Want more tools? Explore my full list of acrylic supplies in more in My Top Secret List of Acrylic Art Supplies.
If you’re refining your tools, you may love my post on 3 Art Tools I Can’t Live Without, or if you’re organizing your studio, take a look at How to Organize Art Supplies at Home.
If you’re new to acrylics, you might also enjoy my step-by-step on demand mini video course on How to Paint Soulful Eyes.
Cozy Studio Essentials for Artists
This cozy studio section of my gift guide for artists highlights the small comforts that make winter painting feel warm and inviting. Your studio doesn’t need to be fancy, it just needs to feel supportive, especially during the darkest and colder days. These thoughtful touches transform painting sessions into rituals and make perfect gifts for any artist.
Warm Feet
There’s nothing better than warm feet. Smartwool socks are my winter painting essential, and I recently added a thermal long sleeve to my studio routine. It keeps me warm without ever feeling bulky.
Earthy Scents
A touch of frankincense or a soft beeswax candle instantly shifts the energy.
Tea Rituals
A cup of tea tastes extra luxurious during a cold-season painting session, especially when it’s tucked into a big insulated studio cup (bonus: it also prevents those inevitable moments of accidentally dipping your brush into your mug!).
Current tea favorites:
If you’re shopping for a creative friend, this gift guide for artists makes it easy to find thoughtful, well-loved tools and cozy studio comforts.
Hand Creams
A must for artists who wash their hands frequently. A rich, restorative cream lives permanently beside my easel.
- Weleda Hydrating Hand Cream is light, refreshing, and perfect to use year-round while painting
- Weleda Original Ultra-Rich Cream is my go-to after a long studio session, especially during winter to protect my hands from the chill.
Heritage Store Rosewater Spray
This Rosewater facial mist smells divine and feels refreshing on the face. It resets my energy between layers all year around. It’s been a studio staple for years.
Wellness Gifts for Artists & Painters
Supporting your body is supporting your art. This part of my gift guide for artists focuses on wellness tools. Each one helps you stay grounded while creating. These are the tools I rely on to reduce tension, improve recovery, and maintain presence at the easel.
Oura Ring
This is a powerful tool for understanding sleep, stress, recovery, and cycles. I’ve worn mine since November 2022 and could write a whole blog post dedicated to this helpful tool.
LumeBox Red Light Therapy
The LumeBox has been lovely for reducing inflammation in my painting shoulder. It also encourages deep relaxation. I even use it on my face to reduce wrinkles and relieve headaches. The kids love it to ease their growing pains. If you sign up for their newsletter you’ll receive a $250 coupon.
Grounding Mat
I sit on a grounding mat when I paint and it helps with focus, calm, and overall nervous-system support.
LMNT Electrolytes
Hydration = energy = creativity. I’ve been using LMNT for several years now and I’m glad to see Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a prominent board-certified OB/GYN, menopause specialist, and #1 New York Times bestselling author, loves it too.
Arnicare Bruise Cream
This cream is perfect to use on sore muscles after long painting sessions. I use it on my shoulder and neck.
Audiobooks for Artists: Best Books to Paint To (Gift Guide Edition)
These audiobooks are perfect companions while painting. They’re soothing and inspiring, offering everything from cozy storytelling to immersive worlds. You’ll find that this part of my gift guide for artists highlights audiobook favorites that keep you company at the easel.
Maisie Dobbs Series by Jacqueline Winspear
We start following Maisie Dobbs in 1910 as an apprentice for a celebrated detective. Through decades we follow her solving mystery after mystery in England. There are 18 lovely books in this series.
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
It’s 1940 and three different women answer the call to the mysterious Bletchley Park. They create an unshakable bond, or do they? And will they break the last code? Such a good book you don’t want it to end.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
I recommend all of Elizabeth Gilbert’s books and Big Magic is a delightful and a must-read for anyone who is creative! Read it every few years to find sanity in the creative process.
Shady Hollow Series by Juneau Black
Shady Hollow is a peaceful place where woodland creatures live in harmony – until the first murder. Follow reporter, a fox with a nose for news, as she solves more than a murder. There are six delightful books in this series so far.
Bonus! The Outlander Series is one of my all-time favorite book series, but fair warning: the intricate plot can be challenging to follow while painting unless you’re working on something less detailed. Perfect for the lighter days in the studio. The new narration by Kristin Atherton is superb!
Creative Gifts for Kids & Art-Loving Families
Every gift guide for artists should include ideas for creative families too. This one does. These gifts spark imagination and make creativity a shared experience, something I love doing with my own children. These are perfect gifts from grandparents too.
Paint Portraits
Pick a favorite animal or paint portraits of family members with non-toxic and washable watercolors. Makes for great frameable art and gifts.
Miniature Enchanted Forest Coloring Book
If you have an older child who loves details and coloring, this enchanting coloring book may be the perfect pick. Great for adults too!
Return of the Wild Coloring Book
Another beautiful coloring book with 30 coloring activities that explore global cultures and customs for children 8 and over or adults.
Creative Kits Featured in This Gift Guide for Artists
Create With Clay Kits
Great activity if you like clay and dinosaurs like we do.
Paint-by-Number Museum Series
With this, adults and older children, can paint like the old masters by following easy directions.
Do Art Paint Pour Studio
Let the little ones unleash their inner creativity with this pour-over art (comes with stickers too!).
Royal & Langnickel Canvas Art Kits
Colorful mindfulness activity for any age. Pick either a unicorn or a moonscape with these fun art kits.
For more inspiration, check out 7 Easy Art Projects For Kids, and take a look at my DIY Kids Advent Calendar with simple crafts and cozy activities.
I hope this gift guide for artists brings more comfort, inspiration, and creativity into your days. Whether you’re painting late at night with a cup of tea, setting up a cozy corner for your child or grandchild, or collecting inspiration for the year ahead, may your studio feel like a haven. A place where time slows, color returns, and your heart gets to breathe a little deeper
Here’s to beautiful moments at the easel, and to giving yourself the gifts that nourish your art and your spirit.
Xo,
Explore more artist resources, painting tutorials, and creative inspiration on the Studio Eriksdotter Blog.
FAQ: Gift Guide for Artists
What are the best gifts for artists?
Artists love thoughtful tools like quality brushes, paints, cozy studio essentials, and creative kits that spark inspiration.
What do painters need in their studio?
Painters rely on good lighting, reliable brushes, quality acrylic paints, a balanced palette setup, and cozy comforts that support long sessions.
Are there creative gifts for kids who love art?
Yes! Clay kits, watercolor sets, coloring books, and paint-by-number projects make wonderful gifts for young artists.
