Best art supply gifts
In this post, I solve the mystery of what art supply gifts to get someone who wants to learn how to draw, paint with watercolor, or learn modern calligraphy.
Read on for all my secrets.
HINT: It doesn’t have to break the bank.
Art supplies arranged into glass jars on the wall in my studio.
I took my first watercolor class in 2018, at the local community college. On the first day, I showed up for class and was surprised to find that the class was at my local senior community center.
I walked in to the classroom, and found nearly every seat filled with seniors, all with watercolor supplies and paintings-in-progress laid out on the tables in front of them. They all seemed to know each other, laughing and sharing stories and art supplies, as they worked.
Oh man, I was out of my league.
The instructor introduced himself by telling us he was 80 years old, and had been painting ever since he learned the art of watercolor in his 20’s as an art student in Paris. Paris!!
He then handed me a supply list. I looked at it, typed and single-spaced, bewildered. He described some of the specifics of what he required for the class, and I took furtive notes in the margins of the handout.
When class ended, I headed to my local art supply store. There, I quickly realized that I was completely overwhelmed by my options, and my limited budget.
Thankfully, there was a friendly staff member who took the supply list from my shaking hands, and helped me find every single item on the list.
My studio table
When I moved my art practice into our spare bedroom, I asked my dad to build me a custom wall-organizer to hold my most used art supplies.
I wanted them to be easy to reach when inspiration arrived.
Supplies for learning how to draw
I like to create my draft sketch in pencil, then go over it with a pigment liner pen to add detail.
The drawing supply section at the art supply store offers a dizzying array of options. Where to begin?
I have played with all kinds of drawing supplies, from charcoal sticks to alcohol markers. I find these to be fun, but fussy.
For someone exploring drawing for the first time, I recommend:
A good mechanical pencil, size .5 or .7 with replacement lead
A soft white plastic eraser
A kneadable eraser (usually gray)
A set of pigment monoline pens in a variety of tip sizes (usually come in sets of 3 or 5)
Smooth drawing paper in a sketchbook format
Supplies for learning watercolor
I sketched this nootka rose on-site at the Fernhill Wetlands in Hillsboro, Oregon. Available as an art print in my shop.
I am like a kid in a candy store when I get to the watercolor paint aisle in the art supply store. I want everything! All those juicy colors, and so many paintbrush sizes and shapes!
Here’s the thing I didn’t know when I first started painting with watercolor: you do not need fancy supplies. You also don’t need to buy every color of paint. Watercolors are easily mixable, which to me is part of the fun of painting with this medium.
For someone exploring watercolor for the first time, I recommend:
A block of cold-press watercolor paper, student grade is fine
A few synthetic round paintbrushes in a variety of sizes, like an 04, 08, and 10.
A small watercolor kit with 5-8 colors in it (tip: don’t bother buying a kit with black or white watercolor paints in it). These do not have to be professional grade paints.
Mechanical pencil and erasers listed above.
For folks who want to take their watercolor practice outside or while traveling, check out my portable watercolor kit supply list here.
Supplies for learning calligraphy
Place cards I created with copper ink and pointed pen.
When I was learning modern calligraphy several years ago, I got SUPER excited at the different kinds of supplies available to me. Brush pens in every color? Yes. 20 different kinds of calligraphy ink and nibs? Why not! I quickly filled my supply box with calligraphy supplies that I rarely use.
For someone exploring calligraphy for the first time, I recommend:
A small tip brush pen
A large tip brush pen
A pad of very smooth paper
A have a free downloadable calligraphy supply list here with more details and options.
Ok, so how do I actually use these things!?!?!
There is an awkward moment right after the excitement of opening a new art tool or supply. Our minds say to us:
What the heck am I supposed to do with this?
Followed soon after by:
I can’t do this. I won’t be any good. I should just quit now before I start so I don’t embarrass myself.
Believe me, I am deeply familiar with this self-doubt. As someone who quit a 20-year career as a successful project manager to pursue art in my late 40’s, I have heard this voice so many times I have practically named her.
Don’t fret, I have workshops, a blog, and an online membership designed just for adult art learners. That’s why a gift card from Lady Fern Graphics is a great accompaniment to your gift of art supplies! Gift cards can be used for workshops, online courses, and membership in my art learning community.
You can also share this blog post about books I recommend for adult art learning.
Me in my studio. Photo by STUDIO NUNCHI PDX.
TLDR:
You do not need to spend a lot of money on art supplies to get started with drawing, watercolor, or calligraphy.
Just get a few basics, and put them where you can see (and use them) daily.
Feeling overwhelmed? Join one of my workshops, online courses, or my membership community. Beginners welcome!!
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