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At a loss about what to get the doodlers and other creatives in your life? Here is a handy gift shopping guide featuring some books and art supplies I enjoy and recommend. You can also check out my gift guides for 2018 and 2017 for more ideas.
Books
- Sketch Now, Think Later – I picked this up on a whim, because I’ve always enjoyed urban sketching, and made a big impact on my sketching habits. Basically: don’t worry about making things perfect, just get those lines (or paint) down on the paper. The materials recommended inside are also great, some of them will be on this list (bonus: follow author Mike Daikubara on Instagram). Buy on Amazon
- Relish: My Life in the Kitchen – Lucy Knisley makes great autobiographical comics, and Relish is an excellent read for anyone who loves cooking, or food in general (bonus: follow Lucy on Instagram). Buy on Amazon
- A Big Important Art Book: Now With Women – I learned about this book via a podcast, and quickly bought it for my wife, artist Steph Joy Hogan. She loves it. Buy on Amazon
- Comics and Sequential Art – Will Eisner’s bible of comic making is a great read for anyone interested in making comics or any other kind of visual storytelling. Buy on Amazon
Pens, Pencils, and Paint
- Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen, 2-Pack – If you want a great pair of all-purpose cartooning pens, you can’t go wrong with Tombow’s Fudenosuke set. One pen has a soft tip and the other a hard tip, and because those tips are “brushes” you can get some fun lines going. Buy on Amazon :: Blick :: JetPens
- Sailor Fude De Mannen, with 55 Degrees Nib – For the more adventurous artist, check out this funky pen. The angled nib allows you to make various line widths. It is one of the pens recommended in Sketch Now, Think Later. I really like it: the nib slides over the page smoothly and makes for a different drawing experience. NOTE: this pen requires replaceable ink cartridges and regular cleaning. Buy on Amazon
- Palomino Blackwing Pencils – I love these pencils. I use the Palomino for fast, rough sketches, and the 602 for drawings I plan on inking later. Buy on Amazon :: Blick :: JetPens
- Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors – I recently gave the Daniel Smith line of watercolors a try, and I am hooked. There are some great colors featuring interesting textures and the like. Don’t know where to start? Try one of collections, like the blue tones set or the PrimaTek set (I have both). Buy on Amazon :: Blick :: JetPens
Other Artsy Gift Ideas
- Blackwing Long Point Pencil Sharpener – I used to think all pencil sharpeners were the same. Well, after using this gadget for a spell, I can say I’m wrong. What sets this pencil sharpener apart from the rest is the two-step process. Yes, there’s a bit more work involved, but you get an excellent point. Buy on Amazon :: Blick :: JetPens
- Lihit Lab Smart Fit Carrying Pouch – B5 – I wanted a simple carrying bag for my “on the go” sketching supplies, and this bag did the trick. Big enough to hold a sketchbook, my watercolor travel set, waterbrushes, and some pens. Yet, it’s not crazy huge either. Great for carrying sketching supplies around while partaking in urban sketching. NOTE: the shoulder strap is sold separately. Buy on JetPens
- Stillman & Birn Beta Series Sketchbook (7″ x 10″) – Another item suggested in Sketch Now, Think Later. I really like the paper of this line of sketchbooks (it may even rival my other favorite, Bee Paper). Holds up to watercolor and ink very well. I know hardbound sketchbooks look nice on a shelf, but I prefer wirebound sketchbooks. If you like mixing watercolor with your sketching, give this sketchbook a shot. I use it for my urban sketching adventures. Buy on Amazon :: JetPens
