Stop gifting pens to artists

2022 Gift Guide for Artists. It's the holiday season! If you're looking for gifts for the artists in your life, here's a small list of recommendations from art books to pens and sketchbooks.

HOW TO DRAW MECHS

ARTBOOK 📚

SOCIALS📷

MUSIC🎶
League of Legends - Diana Sessions

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:36 Art Books
6:38 Sketchbooks
8:40 Pens
9:47 Socks
10:50 How to Draw Mechs

[JH-pero]

My rule of thumb would be that if you give an artist a supply, you have to give them something to organize it with. They might not use the pencil, but they'll use the pencil bin.

But really, anything ergonomically focused might be a good idea, especially if they're young and prone to ignoring discomfort. A nice lamp, or a folding desk if they've been sketching on the bed.

[jimaou]

not to mention the stack of sketchbooks I've been gifted over the years.. I USE A VERY SPECIFIC SKETCHBOOK

[teohyc]

Give art shop vouchers. You can't go wrong with those.

[A_itsar]

Don't give me a pen, because pen is so small, that I just use a pen tab

[Splat]

I have reached a point where i had almost all kind of stationary and a half of it, such as pencils, pens and markers and more, arent even mine. It came from all around the house, somehow ending up in my room, because i am the only family member who draws and writes often. And all that needs organising and space. Honestly i dont even remember taking other's stationary, its more like they just magically appeared in my place.

[chickalootreenuts]

My new fav quote from an artist. “He paints fabric like Michaelangelo sculpts… penises.”

[softandcosy]

a good way to choose an artist gift that they want but still make it a bit of a surprise is to ask for their wishlist & pick something, or you can pick individual colours of a brand of paints/pencils/etc. that they like!

for example, once i just asked for daniel smith watercolours and let them pick what colours they want to gift me. then it's like a nice surprise because you don't know what colours you're going to get

[froup_]

"i JUST want some legos" is so true lol. so many drawing kits growing up that went unused

[FR_three_Q]

One of the BEST gifts I got were refills for an eraser I use all the time. It’s not an exciting gift but buying someone a refill of something they run out of (probably often) shows you have an understanding of their art process. Thoughtful AND helpful.

[pizza]

This reminded me from when my aunt gave me a cheap pink pencil with sparkles for christmas for me to draw with, haven't used it once

[heyuh_X]

The amount of giant sketchbooks and boxes of coloured pencils, felt tips, just anything coloured I’ve gotten. And Im mainly a digital artist💀

[franzc-t]

Art books are great, but the only downside is that they're pretty expensive, I really recommend D&D books, especially the monster manual, it's full of creatures and monsters with very good illustrations and it's not hard to find with a discount :))

[RamenandPuppies]

Personally myself as an artist loves getting pens, I love writing and doodling and using ink, I use ink a lot

[hollowedboi]

Honest being able to just ask a person rather than just making it a surprise is much better. I know for myself I have certain artists I look up to or shows/movies/games that have a certain style with their own sketches of environments and characters that I’d love to get.

If not that if you can’t ask, yes a sketchbook or money

[hhellinn]

I would also like to add stuff like fashion books, books with images that an artist can take inspiration from. A book filled with images of architecture around the world for example.
Or, it might be nice to get them something not related to art. Some new high quality bed sheets or some soft pijamas will be appreciated by just about anyone. You could get them a coffee grinder if they like coffee. A travel mug, some kitchen utensils etc etc. Or get them something for another of their hobbies.

[adrenalineactivate]

I would literally cry if someone gives me art book, that's literally so thoughtful 🥺💕

[desktorp]

For a more personal touch, I recommend watching a video about coptic book binding.. buy a sketchPAD and convert it in to a sketchBOOK.. all you really need is a needle and thread, something to make some holes and whatever you want to finish the cover. Waxed thread is best. You can get one of those thread waxing devices. Some curved needles might help. I have covered handmade sketchbooks in clippings from magazines. You can make them basically any size and it will make for a much more memorable and meaningful gift + the coptic binding method is nice because it lays flat.

[NSX-oe]

I am a big mecha fan, especially japanese super robot and super sentai.
I've recently got back into drawing with the goal of learning how to draw sakugas, light effects such as beams, flames and of course strikin super robots gainax/trigger style!

My girlfriend for my birthday gifted my "groundwork of evangelion" wich is a collection of 3 books containing storyboard, studies, sketches and animation keyframes from Evangelion. I super love it!

[yuko]

Love your content !
It has changed my mindset about art and because of you I want to pursue art´s and become an artist ...
Thanks... You changed my life !

[Murimz]

Honestly, as someone who isnt a proffessional artist, i like being gifted pens