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Artists and writers are hard to shop for because they already have strong opinions about their tools. The trick is to buy something good that they would enjoy but might not buy themselves, and to keep the price close to what they would expect for the thing.
This guide picks ten gifts: five for artists and five for writers, from small stocking stuffers to bigger presents. Several are items that suit both, like a good notebook or a brush pen. Each pick is described from its Amazon listing, so check the size, color and contents before you order.
Quick comparison
Comparison of the products recommended in this guide
A set of six 1 oz (30 ml) bottles of acrylic ink, per the listing; Described on the listing as ultra-fluid permanent acrylic made with lightfast pigments
A pencil artist wants pencils and paper, a painter wants paint and surfaces, and a digital artist wants a screen or tablet. Think about what you have seen them use, and buy a better or more interesting version of it.
For writers, the question is usually whether they write by hand, on a computer, or both. Notebooks and pens suit the first; an e-reader suits anyone who reads a lot.
Pick a price level first
The small gifts here are the Strathmore sketch pad and the Field Notes pack. They are easy to add to a larger present or to give as stocking stuffers.
In the middle are the two fountain pens, the Tombow brush pens and the Leuchtturm notebook. The bigger gifts are the Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils, the Wacom tablet and the Liquitex ink set, and the Kindle is the one real splurge. Prices change often, so check the listing for the current price.
If you do not know their tools, go for the safe choices
A good notebook, a sketch pad or a set of pens is hard to get wrong. Avoid buying something very specific, like a particular paint brand or nib size, unless you know what they already own.
If you want something with a bit more thought, pair a small item with a larger one, such as a notebook with a pen, or a sketch pad with a set of pencils.
About fountain pens as a gift
Both fountain pens here take ink cartridges, which makes them simpler than a pen you fill from a bottle. Even so, a fountain pen needs the right ink and a little care, so it suits someone who enjoys pens more than someone who wants a pen they can forget about.
Check what ink comes in the box on the listing, and do not put thick inks such as India ink or acrylic ink into a fountain pen. See our guide to the best inks for painting for what those inks are used for instead.
A gift that turns their art into something else
If the artist in your life draws or paints, you can turn a favorite piece into something they can use. Scan or photograph the drawing, then use Image to SVG to make a clean outline for a cutting machine, a stencil or a printable page.
Popular gifts sell out and shipping slows down close to the holidays. Order early, check that the color and size on the listing are the ones you want, and check the delivery date on the listing before you rely on it.
What is a good gift for an artist who has everything?
Look for something consumable or a step up from what they use now: a premium set of pencils, a set of inks to experiment with, or a good sketchbook. Something they would enjoy but not buy for themselves usually works best.
What is a good small gift for a writer?
A pack of pocket notebooks or a good pen is hard to beat. The Field Notes pack in this guide is one of the lower-priced options, and it pairs well with a pen.
Is a drawing tablet a good gift for a beginner?
It can be, if they have said they want to try digital art and own a computer that works with it. A pen tablet like the Wacom Intuos is a common starting point. Check the listing for what devices it works with before you buy. Our guide to budget drawing tablets compares more options.
Are fountain pens a good gift if someone has never used one?
Often yes, if they like pens or have shown interest. Choose a cartridge-based pen, include or check the ink, and consider adding a notebook with smooth paper. If you are unsure, a gel pen set is a lower-risk choice.
What can I give someone who is both an artist and a writer?
A notebook, a brush pen set such as the Tombow pens, or a sketch pad suit both. They are useful for journaling, lettering and sketching alike.
More from Sketch Studio
Image to SVG — turn an artist's drawing into a clean outline for cutting or printing
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