Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Sketch Studio may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend.
A stocking stuffer for an artist should be small, useful and something they will actually use up. The best ones are supplies that wear out, because the artist keeps needing more and you are never buying a duplicate.
This guide picks six small gifts, mostly at the lower end of the price range for a gift. They also work for a secret santa, a teacher gift or an add-on to a bigger present. Each pick is described from its Amazon listing, so check the pack size and contents before you order.
Quick comparison
Comparison of the products recommended in this guide
Pens, erasers and paper are all used up or worn out, so they are easy to replace and hard to get wrong. A set of tools they keep for years is a bigger gift, and you can see our best gifts for artists and writers for ideas at that level.
Pair two or three small things
A single pen can feel thin as a gift. A sketch pad with a pen and an eraser looks and feels like a real present, and each piece is inexpensive. Pick items that go together, such as a pad, a fineliner set and a kneaded eraser.
If you do not know their medium
Fine pens and a sketch pad suit almost any artist who draws. A kneaded eraser suits pencil and charcoal work. A brush pen suits someone who letters, inks or sketches loosely. If you only know that they paint, a small sketch pad is still a safe pick.
Keep the paper in mind
The Strathmore pad is sketch paper, which is good for pencil, pen and marker. It is not meant for heavy wet media, so check the listing if the artist works in watercolor. See our colored pencils for beginners guide if you want to add pencils to the stack.
Order early and check pack sizes
Small items are often sold in several pack sizes and colors, and the price can change between them. Check the pack size and the point sizes on the listing before you order, and order early in case of shipping delays.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good stocking stuffer for an artist?
A sketch pad, a set of fine pens, a brush pen, a kneaded eraser or a pack of pocket notebooks. They are small and get used up, so they are easy to replace.
What can I give an artist for a secret santa?
Pair two inexpensive items, such as a pocket notebook and a fineliner set, so it feels like a thoughtful gift without costing much.
What is a kneaded eraser used for?
It is a soft, moldable eraser artists use to lift graphite and charcoal without rubbing or smudging the paper. It is a common item in a pencil artist's kit.
Are brush pens good for beginners?
Many people enjoy them for lettering and loose sketching, though they take practice. Check the listing for whether the pen comes with refills, as the Pentel one here does.
What small gift suits both an artist and a writer?
Ten holiday gift ideas for artists and writers: pencils, ink, a sketch pad, a drawing tablet, fountain pens, notebooks and an e-reader, at every price level.
The best adult coloring markers compared: alcohol, water-based, fineliner and washable. Bleed-through, blending, detail work and which coloring books suit markers.
