10 Last Minute Gifts Ideas for Artists | 2023

  1. Airtight Resealable Palette | £13  24 compartment palette
    This palette is incredible in keeping acrylics workable, I’ve had paints for weeks and they can still be used. There is a handy spatula that slides in the front of the palette and a thumb grip on the back. There are a number of different brands that all create very similar palettes.

Something they want, something they need, something to eat and something to read is always a good starting point when you don’t know what to buy someone.

Below are a few last-minute stocking fillers for the budding artist in your life (or just a way to treat yourself!)

For Scanning Drawings and Watercolours

epson v39 scanner

2. Epson Perfection V39 II | £119 Epson Scanner

For £100 (there is a £20 cashback offer at the moment), you will get fantastic copies of your images at a super high resolution. Just plug it into your computer and scan. You even get a stand so you can store it vertically if needed. Great for making prints of your sketches, scanning your acrylics and recording your watercolours.

For super matte drawings

3. Faber Castell Matt Pencil Kit | £25.99 (8 Pencils, Paper Stump, Sharpener & Eraser)

Sometimes, with traditional graphite pencils, the surface can reflect light, so your darkest darks aren’t quite as dark as you may like. Faber Castell’s new range of pencils offers a matt sheen to your drawings, allowing you to go super black!

To unlock your creativity

4. The Creative Act: A Way of Being – Rick Rubin. Hardback | £20.99 

One book I’ve enjoyed this year is The Creative Act by Record Producer Rick Rubin. He’s got some fascinating insights on how creativity works and how to get into the act of creating. We get to move forward in our art, a bit like a coach telling you the obvious thing, but you still need to hear it.

“We Tend to think of the artist’s work as an output. The real work of an artist is a way of being in the world.” Rick Rubin

For the wannabe organised creative!

5. Nimbot Label Maker: Bluetooth wireless Thermal label printer | £29

For just under £30, I thought this might be too good to be true. But it’s great! Thermal printing, so you never need to buy ink again (just new labels). You download the app on your phone, type in the label and print. You can also import icons and images to the app. Great for labelling paint mixes and shelves. I got a set of cable labels aswell, so handy when digging behind the computer for plugging in the printer.

For the timid sketcher

pentel brush pen

6. Pentel Brush Pen | £18.60 Pentel Brush Pen

So nice. I use it in practically all of my urban sketches; it adds shapes and fine lines all within one tip that seems to stay wet and workable even if you haven’t used it for weeks. They now have a grey and a sanguine colour.

For the part-time woodworker

7. Tracer Pencil | £7.91 Tracer-tools.com

These pencils are designed to be used for woodworking and construction sites because the narrow metal shaft allows you to mark holes through woodwork. I find them super comfortable to use and really handy around the studio. They have a sharpener in the rear of the pen and come with refillable leads.

For the perfectionist sharpener

8. Hovel Pencil Plane | £68 MakersCabinet.com

You definitely don’t need this, but there is something therapeutic about having a plane as a pencil sharpener.

For the art appreciator

9. National Art Pass | £56.25 individual year artfund.com

This pass gives you discounts and free entry to hundreds of events and exhibitions across the UK, which is marvellous!

For the digital painter

10. Paperlike screen protector | £34 for 2 Paperlike.com

If you find the surface of your iPad too glossy and slippy to sketch on, this might be the answer. Paperlike is a screen protector that also adds some resistance to the stylus. You lose some of the intensity and contrast of the screen image, but you gain more grab.

Have a creative Christmas, and if you’re running right up to the wire, all the art courses on the blog can be gifted as instant digital Gift Vouchers!

Have a fab time.

This Post Has 26 Comments

  1. Beate

    Hi Will,
    Thank you so much for your lovely last email (and all your valuable “art assistance in 2023!) and the interesting gift suggestions. Very much appreciated :-)).
    I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a successful and PEACEFUL New Year 2024.
    I am already looking foward to all your new art ideas and information!
    Cheers – Beate

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Beate, hope you have a wonderful Christmas too.
      Will

  2. Maria Heifner

    Happy Holidays! I always enjoy getting your emails and being a part of your art community? Cheers!

    1. Will Kemp

      Ahh thanks Maria, lovely to have you along.

  3. Joan

    Thanks for these ideas. I need to fill MY stocking a little more

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Joan, for sure, presents have got to start for yourself!

  4. Lisa

    Have a Merry Christmas, Will!

  5. Sue Mrozinski

    Thanks for that Will and for all your great instruction this year! I’ve done 20 of your painting tutorials this year and have learnt and improved so much. Merry Christmas!

    1. Will Kemp

      My pleasure Sue, fantastic with 20 paintings completed from the lessons, amazing work.

  6. Jude

    Thanks Will,
    Merry Christmas from a snowy Canada
    Jude

  7. Terri

    Your gift list was thoughtful and appreciated, thanks.

  8. Terri Fey

    Thanks so much for the gift ideas, Will! I’m definitely looking into the airtight palette for me as an alternative to my stay-wet palette. And as for my husband, he’s already ordered the tracer pencil from Amazon for handy man projects! Toys for us all! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

  9. Joan

    Will,
    Just want to wish you and your family a lovely Christmas. So appreciate all your emails and lessons. Thank you!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks so much Joan, hope you have a wonderful Christmas too.

  10. Sharon

    Greetings from NZ ! Love the emails and my recently purchased course.
    Thank you for the ideas, really helpful
    Merry Christmas Will and family

    1. Will Kemp

      So pleased you’ve been enjoying the course Sharon, have a great Christmas.

  11. Rain'

    Will! and Vanessa!
    MERRY CHRISTMAS AND
    HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thanks for keeping me in your loop; it’s been so nurturing just to receive and read when little else was possible. You’re amazing!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks so much Rain, hope you’re keeping well.

  12. Kathy Bolgatz

    Hi Will,
    Thanks for the fabulous Christmas list. I often feel overwhelmed by the dizzying array of materials/choices out there. It was wonderful to hear your insights and suggestions. I especially loved the book recommendation. While I definitely believe in learning by doing, I am also an avid reader. Maybe in the future you could do a post listing your favorite books on the creative process, art, artists etc and why you found each particularly useful or interesting. Or maybe you have already done so. I’m new here. Merry Christmas from New England! Kathy

    1. Will Kemp

      For sure Kathy, great idea! hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

  13. Luna

    Marry Christmas Will from Tennessee, USA
    Thanks
    luna

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