10 Perfect Gift Ideas for Artists Who Paint

11/20/2018

Looking for some meaningful and practical gift ideas that your artsy friend/significant other/family member would absolutely love to receive this Christmas? What items could help encourage an artist to keep creating and pursuing his/her creative passions?

First and foremost, I'd like to take a moment to thank you for reading this post, as it most likely means that you're interested in celebrating your friend or loved one's individuality and passion for art, and want to encourage him/her to keep going. As an artist myself, I can tell you that knowing people close to me support my decision to pursue art means everything, especially when one is just starting out.

I'm all about encouraging fellow artists to keep going because I 100% believe the world would be a better place with more art in it.

All this said, no matter how mysterious and complex people make us artists to be, we're honestly an easy bunch to buy presents for. Not only do we tend to wear our hearts (and minds) on our sleeves more than others, but there are things we need to constantly replace in order to keep feeding our need for creation. We also need to constantly seek ways to stay inspired and motivated, and a huge variety of things can get our creative minds going.

In this blog post, I'll be sharing a list of ten awesome gift ideas that your artistic friend will absolutely love. I've made sure to include options for both males and females, as well as an explanation as to why each item is so great.

Enjoy!

Perfect Gifts for Artists on Amazon

I personally love buying art supplies, as well as Christmas gifts for my loved ones from the comfort of my own home through Amazon.

Click on the images below to learn more about each item on this list.

1. A sketchbook (or two)

Illo Sketchbook 180 GSM Paper (8x8). Click on image to find out more about this item.

An artist can only paint as well as he/she can draw, and keeping sketchbooks is a great way for us to continue sharpening our drawing and observational skills throughout our journeys. Not to mention, sketchbooks are portable, allowing us to stay creative wherever we go, and provide a chronological record of our progress that we'll keep forever.

You can honestly never go wrong with giving an artist a sketchbook.

Find out more about why sketchbooks are such an essential part of an artist's journey in this blog post.

2. An artsy cell phone case

Gifts for artists- watercolor cell phone case

CRAFIC Watercolor Paint Cell Phone Case for Apple iPhone 6 / 6S Plus. Click on image to find out more about this item.

Not only do artists love making their passions known to those around them, but many of us working artists actually depend on it. Especially when an artist is just starting out, it's incredibly important to get the word out about what it is we do so that we can start building up those connections and experience.

An eye-catching statement accessory like this artsy cell phone case is a great way for us to transmit our originality and love for art, but also encourages other people to strike up a conversation with us.

3. A leather pencil and paintbrush case

Gifts for artists- Flyshine Canvas Artist Brush Holder Rollup Pouch

Flyshine Canvas Artist Brush Holder Rollup Pouch. Click on image to find out more about this item.

An artist's supplies are his/her tools for creation, and they must be taken care of. This can definitely be a challenge when we do sketching and painting outside of our studios. A quality paintbrush case or pouch like this canvas roll-up ensures that our favorite paintbrushes will be kept safe.

I love the practicality of a roll-up pouch like this one, as there is no space wasted and paintbrushes can be organized/kept in place perfectly.

Click here to subscribe to my email list and receive news about my work for sale, monthly freebies featuring my watercolor illustrations and insights into my work.

4. A painter's apron

Gifts for artists- Artist Canvas Unisex Apron with Pockets

Artist Canvas Unisex Apron with Pockets. Click on image to find out more about this item.

The struggle is real for us artists to keep our clothes free of paint, which can be a problem because a lot of us prefer to spend our money on more art supplies, than on new clothes!

A canvas apron like this one is durable, wraps around the back for a higher level of protection, and I love that it includes different pockets for paintbrushes, rags and other things we might need to have on hand while painting. It's perfect for both males and females.

5. Some high quality hand lotion

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Hand Lotion, Lavender (12 oz). Click on image to find out more about this item.

Hand lotion is a total must for artists, especially in the winter time. We're constantly washing paint and other harsh liquids off our hands, which makes them extremely dry and itchy. I personally have bottles everywhere, including my studio, and always carry a tube with my in my bag.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day line offers a variety of scents like Lavender, Lemon Verbena, and Peppermint. They are perfect for those of us who need a higher amount of protection/moisture, as they are created especially for people who work with their hands.

We must take care of our hands because without them we can't create!

6. An inspiring (and practical) artsy mug

Paint Water & Not paint water - Set of two mugs (11oz). Click on image to find out more about this item.

Whether your friend paints with watercolors, acrylics or oils, chances are he/she's experienced dipping a paintbrush in his/her beverage on more than one occasion. It may sound odd to the non-artist, but I promise you, it happens time and time again when one is immersed in the art-making process!

I actually know someone who drank paint thinner by accident. I'll just leave it at that...

These mugs appear to be humorous, but they may also help keep an artist safe.

7. A color wheel umbrella

Streamline Rainbow Color Wheel Umbrella. Click on image to find out more about this item.

An umbrella like this one is not only beautiful and inspiring to look at, but is also large and sturdy to help us keep our work safe when walking to and from vehicles in the pouring rain (which can be very challenging).

What better way to let that artist in your life know that you're there for him/her than providing a canopy of protection from the rain?

8. An artsy enamel pin

GIfts for artists- Painter's Palette Enamel Lapel Pin

Pinsanity Painter's Palette Enamel Lapel Pin. Click on image to find out more about this item.

On the lookout for something small, but meaningful? Enamel pins are all the rage now-a-days and are a perfect little surprise that your artsy friend will be able to actually wear while out and about.

This is another perfect accessory that can not only help us express our individuality and love for art, but can also be a conversational piece. Making time for conversation with others is essential for us, especially because artists tend to be alone a lot.

Some of us forget what it's like to talk with others. True story.

9. An inspirational art book

Living and Sustaining a Creative Life (Sharon Louden) and Art & Fear (David Bayles/Ted Orland) Books -Click on image to find out more about these items.

An artist's life can definitely get lonely and sometimes we need to be reminded of how others have gone through what we're going through. We also need to be inspired by stories from other artists who have reached success so that we can keep working hard to make our dreams come true.

Both of the books above are, in my opinion, must-reads for any serious artist.

Living and Sustaining a Creative Life is a compilation of 40 personal stories/essays by working artists. Each one of them shares his/her own experiences and struggles as they have pursued making a living as an artist. This book helps us understand the reality of what it's like to sustain a professional creative career over time.

Art and Fear is a very popular book amongst creatives of all kinds. This book tackles artistic insecurities, and the internal and external challenges that professional artists face throughout their journeys. Finishing projects, getting our work out there and receiving critique are difficult tasks that artists must learn how to do/handle. This is a book to read over and over again.

10. A painting easel

US Art Supply Tall Tabletop Adjustable H-Frame Wood Studio Artist Easel. Click on image to find out more about this item.

As a painter myself, I have a variety of easels. I enjoy standing when I'm creating my larger pieces, but a desk easel like this one is absolutely perfect for smaller and more relaxing works to enjoy on weekend mornings. Switching from one easel to another is a great way to reset my mind from a piece I'm creating for selling purposes, and one I'm creating for myself.

This easel is sleek, sturdy, and is perfectly sized, even for beginner artists working in a small studio.

Watercolor Supplies for Beginners and Essential Things to Know

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8 Useful Tips to Keep a Well-Organized Art Studio

6/15/2018

6 Comments

*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :)

Do you struggle with keeping your art studio as clean and organized as you'd like? Do you wonder how so many artists/creatives manage to keep their working spaces so neat and tidy? Have you ever found the mess around you demotivating to the point that it affects your productivity levels?

Though the act of creating art can (and sometimes downright should) imply making some sort of mess, this doesn't mean we should be okay with our studios being in a constant state of chaos. Of course, people's tolerance levels towards disorganization vary immensely, but our studios are an extension of ourselves and our work, and should be treated as such.

Personally, I like to work in an environment that inspires me to create and helps me be as productive as possible every-single-day. My artwork is important to me (and I hope that your artwork is important to you as well), and staying as organized as possible ensures that it is going to be protected and accessible.

I really enjoy learning tips and tricks from other creatives, and Ali from Cut, Cut, Craft ( www.cutcutcraft.com ) was super helpful to share some ideas with us in the following post!

Enjoy!

Hey guys and gals! It’s Ali here from Cut, Cut, Craft! (www.cutcutcraft.com) with some practical and creative ideas on how you can keep your studio organized in order to make the best art you can.

In Erika’s own words, "the environment that surrounds us impacts our mood and creativity". Read her blog post titled How I Find Inspiration as an Artist and Some Ideas to Keep You Going.

This is true for the people you surround yourself with, as well as the sorts of art and entertainment you consume. But it is especially valid in your own art studio, the very place you want to be free to act on your creativity to produce wonderful creations.

If your space is cluttered and disorganized, your mind will spend precious resources distracted by the mess. It will take you extra time to find materials to get started on a new project. Your aim should be to lower the activation energy needed to create art. Spend some effort on organizing your space, so it’s easy for you to dive in when inspiration strikes!

I’ll go through some general tips on how to get your art studio in working order, and give you specific ideas on how to implement each of them.

8 Ways to get (and stay) organized

1. Purge your supplies (and donate them)

The first step in organizing your art space should actually be getting rid of all the stuff you don’t need or won’t ever use. You probably know if you have some hoarding tendencies, in which case you’ll have to spend some extra effort to actually acknowledge that you don’t need all those styrofoam spheres.

But don’t just toss any good markers and paints that aren’t getting use! Donate them! There are so many places that are happy to receive donated arts and crafts supplies: elementary and preschools, YMCAs, community centers, women’s shelters, churches, art centers, etc.

It’s best to donate locally.

So just do a quick Google search, “where to donate art supplies [your city/town/county name]” to find locations nearby.

Make sure that the supplies you donate can actually be used! Dried up paint and crusty paint brushes aren’t useful for anyone. So when you are purging your art supplies, you’ll need at least two piles: one for trash and one to donate.

2. Use containers for writing, drawing, and painting instruments

Photo by DevilsApricot. Click on photo to go to original source at Pixabay.com.

There’s no need to spend loads of cash on fancy decorative bins.

You can use tin cans and mason jars to store pens, pencils, markers, and paintbrushes (and decorate them yourself if you want). I personally like to use the $1 metal buckets from Target, but they aren’t always in stock. You can also find all sorts of neat containers at dollar stores and thrift shops. These sorts of open containers make sure your tools are always visible and easily accessible.

Make sure to have enough containers that you can actually sort all your creative instruments with plenty of space. This way you don’t have to work to cram pens into overstuffed mugs or spend time trying to find just the right marker.

3. Have a designated place to store your works in progress

Some people are only working on one project at a time. Others have six or twelve different things that are waiting to be completed. Regardless, you should always be able to clear off your work surface, and also protect your work from accidental damage, which means you need to have a place to put your WIP.

This is easiest for 2D art. If you have any adjustable shelving, make a short shelf or two, just a couple inches high, that are always kept clear so you can place your work there. There are also flat plastic ArtBins that are useful for keeping dust, lint, and hair off your work.

For 3D projects, a container on a larger shelf will work. I actually like to use the top bucket-shelf of the rolling Ikea trolley. (It’s called Raskog if you want to check it out.) For larger pieces, I’ll usually place projects up high on top of shelves so my kids don’t wander past and touch something delicate that needs a day or two to set.

4. Take advantage of vertical storage

I know a lot of us are cramped for space. Maybe you only have a corner, instead of an entire room to use for creative purposes. In that case, vertical storage will absolutely be your new best friend. Use all the height you can!

Install shelves, cubbies, or racks that go all the way up to the ceiling. (But make sure to have a sturdy step stool so you can actually reach things at the top.)

I’m also a really big fan of pegboards for taking advantage of walls as storage, without protruding as far as shelves do. Yeah, the sort you’ll see at discount stores or maybe covering a wall of your pop’s garage. They are super useful for hanging tools and buckets, but you’ll need the right accessories: straight and curved pegboard hooks. You can also get pegboard kit, with a great variety of hanging devices. It’s all super affordable and available at any big hardware store.

5. Use bins and boxes for larger items

Okay, so you have shelves, cubbies, or racks and finally have all these spaces to put your supplies away. Don’t just make sloppy piles of materials! Those shelves will quickly become a black hole of lost utility.

Create separate containers for different sorts of materials and tools. Or group together all the supplies for a type of project, so your watercolor paints, brushes, and paper are all in a single box for easy use. Plastic shoe boxes are an affordable option, and they only cost a couple bucks each.

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6. Hang your storage

Photo by Daria Shevtsova. Click on photo to go to original source at Pixabay.com.

Yes, I love to hang things. It’s incredibly flexible storage you can rearrange as you see fit, which is great if you’re like me and maybe switch to a different art mode every few months.

So past pegboards, which I mentioned above, another of my favorites is using towel rods or curtain rods. You can find affordable ones at Ikea, or pick some up at a hardware store. I use S-hooks to hang buckets with supplies.

You can also hang string or wire across a wall, and use clothespins to display some of your work! It’s easy to rotate out what you are looking at, as the mood strikes.

Another option for hanging storage would be over-the-door storage. No shame in repurposing a hanging shoe rack to hold things like cans of spray paint or skeins of yarn. Smaller over-the-door organizers are great for pens, markers, glues, and paint as well.

7. Label your containers

This one is big and was a total game-changer for me.

Before I started meticulously labeling my containers, my organization system would quickly decay the first time I was in a hurry to put everything away and just shoved supplies into whatever bin looked like it had enough space. “I can always reorganize it again later,” I thought. Which I would have to do. Over and over again.

By labeling all your storage containers, you not only know where to find everything, you can also easily tell where to put everything away. Miraculously, all my pens and papers and ribbons and tapes now actually stay separated and useful.

And hey, labels can also be super fun to make! So take some time and make a pretty project out of it.

8. Once it's clean, keep it clean

Once you have a system in place for storing all the art supplies and projects you have decided you want to keep, you need to put in a little effort to maintain it.

At the end of the day, or when you are finished working on a project, spend a few minutes to put everything back in its proper spot. Clear off your work surface and put all your pencils or paints back in their spots.

This is time well-spent, and will absolutely save time for your future self (hey future self, have some time!).

Tomorrow, when you sit down to create something, you’ll have space to work and will be able to easily find all the things you want to you.

Best of all, you’ll be more likely to actually make more things, because your creative space will be so much easier to use.

And since it’s so sensible, I’m going to go ahead and crib Erika’s Ben Franklin quote here as well:

“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.”

For more ways to save time and be productive, check out Erika's blog post
Time Management for Artists: My Secrets for Staying Consistently Productive.

Alright, that’s all the organizational advice I have for you today! Thanks so much to Erika for letting me share my ideas here. I hope you all find some of these tips helpful for keeping your art space organized and functional.

I’m sure you guys have all sorts of things you use to organize your own space, so please share them below so we can all benefit!

Ali Fields is a crafting geek who writes DIY tutorials and reviews over at Cut, Cut, Craft! Her latest obsession? The Cricut Maker

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Thanks SO much for sharing your awesome ideas with us Ali! I know that I will certainly start using a few of these myself!