Before you start thinking about buying an artist a gift, it’s important that you know what they’re working on. This will allow you to avoid getting lost in the endless selection of products at Blick. We spoke with several artists to find out what kinds of gifts they’re looking for.

We also spoke with several artists to find out what kinds of gifts they’re looking for. Their suggestions included everything from supplies to helpful resources. 

Stabilo Pencils
A set of colored pencils would be a great gift for any artist, as Peter Shire says that these are his favorite. He uses them for various tasks, such as taking notes, and they’re also handy when he’s working on ceramics and metal.

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor, Set of 48
Although not everyone is a painter, many artists enjoy experimenting with watercolor. This set, which is recommended by Ashley Longshore, is sure to be a hit. Longshore says that the palette she uses has the best pigmentation and the widest range of colors.

Silky Nevanon Scissors
Daniele Frazier, an artist, received a gift a couple of years ago that she loved: a set of Teflon-coated scissors. She says that these are incredibly sharp and come in a variety of colors, making them a great gift.

Although she doesn’t usually buy herself fancy scissors, Frazier says that these are a great gift because they’re made in Japan and are durable. This means that they can last for a long time, which is something that she thinks is very important.

Porta-Trace Stainless-Steel Frame Light Box
This portable light box was included in our list of the best gifts for artists. People who draw for a living or are an essential part of their practice often use a Porta-Trace, which is a tool that can be used to refine sketches or final artwork. Photographers can also use it to take a look at their negatives.

Krink K-70 Permanent Ink Marker, Black
People often ask Shantell Martin about the pens she uses, and she says that she has been using Krink for a long time. The quality of the company’s ink is exceptional, and it can be used on various types of objects, such as leather and clothing. Alireza Niroomand, the creative director of Sant Ambroeus, also uses these paint markers. She says that she has one on her desk in blue.