Gift Ideas for an Artist?

Hi, Sophia. Here are some ideas.

My boyfriend is an animator, so I once made him a homemade light table (there are lots of instructions on the Web). These are expensive at the art store. All sorts of graphic and design people use them.

Consider scanning in a piece of his art and uploading it to CafePress (www.cafepress.com) so you can order a gift (sweatshirt, mug, clock, mousepad etc.) with his artwork on it. Be sure that you aren't using work that he made for a paying client (rights issues) or that he wants to keep private.

Otherwise I find that buying or making art supplies for artists as a gift is a bit like buying wood as a gift for a carpenter... they prefer to choose their own, and it's just more work. The best gift I've ever given artists ("starving artist" jokes aside) is good, creative food. A day in a beautiful place, or just unstructured time, are also great. Cleaning up around the place to give them a better environment (if they are a slob) works well too.

Hmm...how about as a joke gift you give him a giant eraser?!?!?! Also snackfood would be great for him to nibble on while he 'worked'. Perhaps a gift-voucher to an art/craft shop?

Debbie Dzurilla
Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 696 Feedbacks

November 21, 20060 found this helpful

You could make up a gift bag of things he could use in his work. An artist's supply store would have all sorts of ideas. My hubby has always done woodworking and tole painting among other things so I used to get him sandpaper, steel wool, brush cleaner, little bottles of acrylic paint, tracing paper, etc. as stocking stuffers.

Whatever the gift you decide on... make a christmas card/gift tag... showing him how creative you are! :)

Hey Sophia,
I recently started seeing this guy who's an amazing artist and I was thinking this myself. I thought perhaps you could make something with his favourite artwork by his favourite artist or maybe get him something to show it off.