10 Creative Gift Ideas for Artists Who Paint 🎨

Painting is a great creative outlet for so many people – according to the National Endowment for the Arts, over 52% of American adults regularly engage in artmaking activities, including 18% of American adults that regularly put paint to canvas. Whether they’re slapping down thick layers of impasto or crafting photorealistic portraits, whether their chosen medium is watercolor, acrylic, painters will always appreciate a gift that supports their passion. 

Luckily, you don’t have to be a regular Renaissance man (or woman!) to find a great gift for the painter in your life. You don’t even have to go snooping through their studio… or that one messy closet where they keep all their supplies. Our in-house creatives have put together a list of gift ideas for artists who paint that will inspire and excite them, so all you have to do is click add to cart.

Whether they’re an experienced artist or they’re just starting out with a new hobby, we’re covering top tier gift ideas for artists who paint like:

• Painting supplies every artist should have in their arsenal
• Consumables they’re constantly trying to keep stocked, like paper and paints
• Gift cards so they can buy whatever they want to get creative with their next project

And more!

Get to Know GiftYa, a Great Gift Idea for Any Type of Artist 🎨

When you think gift cards, creativity probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. And when we’re talking about boring old plastic gift cards, we totally get that. But GiftYa is the digital gift card that lets you put your own personal spin on gifting… and lets your artist get creative with how they want to redeem their balance, too!

Here’s how it works: choose from thousands of local and national brands in the GiftYa catalog, like their favorite national art supply store chain or the coffee shop they go to sketch and get inspiration. Customize your gift with a photo or video of your own, or choose one of our expert curated designs. Then add a personal message, choose how and when you want it to be delivered, and it’s off to their email or text messages in seconds!

On their end, they can choose from several different ways to use the gift, including:

• Using it like any other e-gift code from their phone
• Connecting it to a credit card they carry with them every day anyway so they never forget to use the gift – it’s automatically applied
• Cashing out the balance using Zelle
• Swapping for another merchant in the catalog
• And more!

Or, you can put the choice in their hands from the very beginning when you send them a GiftYa Select, which lets them choose which brand they want to apply the balance to from the very start.

Explore GiftYa Select >>

1. High-Quality Paint Set

There are many different types of paint, so it can be tricky to think about buying one for your favorite painter if you aren’t sure what they are yourself. As a quick crash course, these are a few common types of paint many painters use:

🎨 Acrylic: Plastic-based paint that ranges from student quality (lower, cheaper) to professional quality. Appropriate for beginners and experts alike.

🎨 Watercolor: Water-based paint that also ranges from student to professional quality. Appropriate for beginners and experts alike.

🎨 Goauche: Like watercolor, but slightly more opaque. Great for all skill levels.

🎨 Oil: As the name suggests, pigment mixed with oil. A more advanced medium.

If you don’t know what kind of paint they normally use, don’t worry! Many painters dabble with a few of these. For an all-purpose gift, we recommend going with acrylic or goauche.

Brands like Golden and Liquitex are known for their intense colors, creamy consistency, and durability. Artists who paint often need a variety of shades to work with, so you could go for a full-spectrum set or opt for a collection of primary colors they can mix themselves!

If they’re into larger projects, look for sets that come with larger tubes or bottles they can reseal and use more than once. Pair it with a set of mixing tools or a palette to make the gift even more special.

2. A Portable Easel

Painting en plein air is a popular choice for artists who like landscapes, gestural paintings, and more. But a portable easel is also a great gift for artists who work in multiple locations or like to take their craft with them traveling!

These handy easels can be folded or disassembled, usually into a convenient carrying case, so that they can take an easel with them anywhere they need to go. This gives artists the flexibility to paint in parks, city streets, or anywhere else inspiration strikes. 

Look for options with adjustable height and angle features, so it’s easy for them to customize whether they’re working seated or standing.

Some models even come with built-in storage, allowing artists to keep their paints, brushes, and palettes all in one place. This makes the setup process super convenient so that they can focus on their art, not keeping their supplies organized.

3. High-Quality Brushes

Brushes are a personal thing for artists, and a good set can make all the difference in their work. The type of brush affects everything from texture to line quality, and artists often have their favorite shapes, sizes, and materials. Not to mention really high quality brushes can cost $20 or more each!

There are several different material options, including synthetic, sable, or hog hair. Sable is regarded as the highest quality, but synthetic sable gives them a similar feel without raising ethical concerns about using animal fur in their work.

In terms of brands, Winsor & Newton or Princeton Velvetouch are favorites, known for their durability and smooth application.

To complete the gift, you can always give them a set. Look for one that has a mix of shapes in sizes, including rounds, flats, and filberts in different sizes. Artists can use them to create details, broad strokes, and everything in between. 

And since their go-to brushes will inevitably wear out over time, a fresh set of quality brushes is always a great gift!

4. A Sturdy, Stylish Paint Palette

An artist’s palette is also an essential tool. After all, it’s where the real magic begins! A well-designed, sturdy palette that can handle a range of paint types is essential. 

Disposable palettes are convenient, but wooden palettes offer more durability and can even develop a lovely patina over time. Glass palettes run the risk of breaking if dropped, but they don’t absorb paint, which can help your artist go through their materials less quickly. If you’re shopping for someone who likes something more modern, you can also consider a silicone palette – they’re easy to clean and super durable. 

I’m sure we can all picture the quintessential artist’s palette, which is kind of a swoopy bean shape with a thumb hole. Not all palettes look like that, but definitely consider finding one with a thumbhole to make sure they can get a comfortable grip, making it easier to paint for long sessions without hand strain.

5. Canvas Panels or a Roll of Canvas

If there’s one thing every painter will always need, it’s more canvas! Pre-primed canvas panels are a great gift for artists who want something convenient to work with – they’re easy to frame, travel with, and have a consistent texture. These panels come in a variety of sizes, so you can choose a set with smaller panels for experimentation or larger ones for serious projects.

For those working on bigger pieces, consider gifting them a roll of canvas. This lets them cut it to their preferred size, allowing them to work on projects with complete freedom. Primed canvas rolls are especially thoughtful since they’re ready to go, saving artists time and helping them dive into their work without extra prep.

6. Professional Quality Drawing Tablet

Digital art is a rapidly growing field, and many traditional artists now incorporate it into their practice. A professional-quality drawing tablet like a Wacom or Huion can be a transformative gift, especially for artists looking to explore digital painting or try out hybrid techniques. These tablets offer pressure-sensitive pens and customizable features that mimic the feel of a traditional brush or pencil, making them intuitive for artists who are new to digital tools.

A larger screen size and high resolution offer more control, so look for models that will allow them to explore fine details and colors accurately. This gift is a wonderful way to let them experiment with different styles, layer techniques, or even prepare concepts for larger works.

7. Art Supply Subscription Box

Subscription boxes are the gift that keeps on giving, and an art supply box can bring inspiration and excitement month after month. Companies like ArtSnacks or Paletteful Packs curate high-quality art supplies, sending a mix of tools, paints, brushes, and unique materials right to the artist’s door. Each month, the supplies change, encouraging artists to try out new techniques and products they may not have used before.

Alongside the supplies, these boxes often come with creative prompts or challenges, making them a fun way to break out of creative blocks or explore a new style. It’s the ultimate “surprise” gift, guaranteed to keep their creativity flowing.

8. Personalized Art Apron

An art apron may seem like a simple gift, but it’s an incredibly useful one. For painters, things can get messy fast, and a good apron keeps their clothes protected from all those splashes and splatters. Consider a durable, canvas-style apron that can stand up to daily wear and tear. Personalize it with their name, a favorite quote, or even an embroidered design that resonates with their artistic style.

Aprons with multiple pockets are also practical since they provide space to keep brushes, rags, and other small tools handy. A personalized apron is a thoughtful way to show you know and appreciate the dedication (and mess!) that goes into their work.

9. Portable Paint Storage Case

Artists are often on the go, whether they’re attending classes, working in a studio, or painting on location. A portable storage case designed specifically for art supplies is perfect for keeping everything organized and easy to carry. These cases usually have customizable dividers to keep brushes, paints, palette knives, and other tools neatly arranged and protected.

Choose a case with a hard shell for extra durability – something that will withstand a little bumping around while traveling. Not only does it keep supplies organized, but it also protects more delicate tools, like glass paint containers or fragile brushes. It’s a gift that’s both thoughtful and incredibly practical.

10. Gift Card to a Local Art Store

Explore the GiftYa catalog >>

When in doubt, a gift card is always a fantastic option – especially for artists with specific tastes. Art supply stores like Blick and Michaels offer everything from paints and brushes to easels and sketchbooks, so they’re bound to find something they need or have been wanting. Artists often have a “wish list” of their own, and a gift card lets them pick out exactly what they want, whether it’s a set of high-end pastels, a specialty brush, or a new canvas.

If they’ve been eyeing a pricier item, a gift card also helps them save up for it, making it a considerate and versatile choice. This is a gift that really shows you understand their craft and want to help them continue creating in their unique way.

Explore the GiftYa catalog >>

That’s our list of gift ideas for artists who paint! 🖌️

Whether you’re giving high-quality materials, tools for experimentation, or experiences that inspire, each of these gifts speaks directly to a painter’s creative soul. Every artist knows that the right supplies and thoughtful tools can make all the difference in their work. So, give the gift of inspiration, convenience, or a new adventure in art – they’ll be thrilled to unwrap these thoughtful gifts that are masterpieces in their own right 🖼️