What do the visual artist in your life really want? Besides the time to create art, most artists will appreciate inspiring creative gifts and quality art supplies. Special occasions, the holidays and birthdays are the perfect time to show some lovin’ to your art friends and family with gifts that show you care.

From funky Bob Ross goodies to the best quality in art supplies, these suggestions will help artists take their skills to the next level.

Bob Ross: Collectible Figure

Who doesn’t love Bob Ross and his cool vibe! Get the cool Bob Ross vibe with this fun Bob Ross collectible figure.
Purchase here

Caran d’Ache Luminance Colored Pencils

Considered the top of the line, these professional colored pencils combine the smoothness of a permanent lead with excellent lightfastness. Every shade has been formulated using finely ground pigments chosen for their purity, intensity, and resistance to UV rays. Beautiful, buttery and smooth. Available on Walmart.com.

Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils and Sets

These German pencils are also top of the line. The buttery smooth color laydown offered by Polychromos pencils can be easily blended for layered effects, highlights, and transitions. Their break-resistant, water-resistant, smudgeproof 3.8 mm leads are encased in premium California cedar with Secureall bonding to resist breakage while providing sharp, fine lines and permanent, rich color. Oil based and firmer textures achieved. Purchase information here

Prismacolors – Smooth blending makes for unique expressions.

The popularity of Prismacolors has risen over the years with adult coloring books. The wax based pencil is great for blending and an accomplished artist can do wonders with layering effects. The leads break easily at times, so you will want to make sure that you don’t drop them. Purchase information here.

Fineliner Pens – Microm Pens and Sets

Micron pens are acid-free and archival, making them ideal for paper crafts, journals, illustration, crafts, or any application requiring precision and permanence. Purchase information here

Papers Artists Will Love

Artist drawing paper, illustration boards, pastel paper, watercolor paper, vellums and more! Artistic expression starts with a piece of paper and depending on your medium of choice you will want the best papers as your foundations.

Here are a few versatile papers that I have used and recommend.

Canson Mi-Teintes Touch Sanded Paper And Boards

Canson’s Mi-Teintes has long been one of the world’s leading colored pastel paper brands. Teintes Touch surface features an innovative, sanded-type coating with a smoother, finer tooth than other sanded papers, and is ideal for all work in soft pastels as it holds multiple layers of color on its highly receptive surface. Papers can be found on Blick here

Arches Watercolor Paper Blocks

Made from 100% cotton linters and both internally and externally gelatin sized, acid free Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper is one of the finest art papers in the world and has been around for over 500 years! Choose a watercolor block for easy care. The blocks are glued on all sides which helps to keep the paper flat when working with wet media. Once dry you can cut it off the block. Dick Blick has a good deal on Cold Press 9×12 blocks. Cold Press will give a texture to the surface. Purchase details here

Strathmore 400 Series Drawing & Sketch Pads

400 Heavyweight Drawing Pads – 100 lb., cream-colored paper is ideal for finished artworks and heavier sketch media, allowing for repeated erasing and reworking. Use with charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, sketch sticks, and more! Can be found on Blick most fine art stores.

Moleskine Art Collection Sketchbooks

Always at the ready, Moleskine Art Collection Sketchbooks are the perfect portable canvas for those who sketch and draw — and what artists and professionals turn to for capturing their thoughts, notes, appointments, and contacts. Every book has a rigid, durable oil cloth-bound “Moleskine” cover, sturdy thread-bound binding, 111 lb (165 gsm) acid-free paper pages, a built-in elastic closure, a ribbon placeholder, and an expandable accordion pocket.  Purchase info here

Rembrandt Soft Pastels

The history of Royal Talens goes back to 1899. In that year, Marten Talens founded the “Dutch Factory for Paints, Lacquers, and Inks” based in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Rembrandt Soft Pastels have since become one of the most popular artist pastels in the world. We offer you the full range of Rembrandt colors in open stock. Rembrandt pastels are made from the purest pigments and mixed with the finest quality kaolin clay binder. Review choices here

Derwent Inktense Pencils and Sets

Derwent Inktense Pencils are as versatile as watercolor pencils, but with a firmer texture that allows them to perform with the brilliant intensity of traditional pen-and-ink. These pencils are available in strong, vibrant colors which work beautifully on their own or can be mixed together to create rich, subtle tones. See assorted colors and sets

Windsor and Newton Drawing Inks

Winsor & Newton’s famous drawing inks are formulated from a series of soluble dyes in a superior shellac solution. Apply them with brush, pen, or airbrush. They are widely used by illustrators, designers, calligraphers, and artists. See selections here

 Windsor and Newton – Who are they?

Winsor & Newton was founded in 1832. Based on a partnership between a chemist and artist, we have stayed true to their heritage by continually pursuing modern advancements in chemistry whilst collaborating with artists and designers.

“In 1832, both men were in their late twenties and shared an interest in painting. Newton was the more artistically gifted of the two whereas Winsor, who also painted, contributed the scientific knowledge that was to be so important”.

Windsor & Newton has enabled generations of artists to express their creativity including the following famous artist. According to their history, The Scream, Edvard Munch, 1893, used more than 250 tubes of his Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour!

Still not sure what to get the artist on your holiday list?

Check out the most loved art supplies on Blick. From paints to canvas to pen sets, you are sure to find just the right creative gift. Most-Loved Art Supplies

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The post Best Gifts for Artists Who Draw 2023 – What to buy your artist friends (or yourself)! appeared first on Art and Design Inspiration.

Meet our Featured Artist and Illustrator, Jenna Thompson.

Jenna is inspired by many artists in her family and also inspired by the work of Bob Ross. Her inspiration has led her to create this cool Bob Ross inspired Jumper.

Happy Little Christmas Tree: Why I Designed a Christmas Jumper Dedicated to Bob Ross

In early September this year, I started designing my own line of Christmas jumpers. Why? Well frankly because last year, I couldn’t find a single one I liked. I had some idea of what I was after, most of which I thought surely must exist already. They didn’t.

Which led me to think: hmm, perhaps I’ve stumbled across an opportunity here? I couldn’t be the first person to make the leap from ‘happy little trees’ to ‘happy little Christmas tree’, could I?

“We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.”

I should explain: I love Bob Ross. Who doesn’t? He’s an interesting guy. Not to mention talented, lovely, inspiring. That hair. The squirrels. The catchphrases. I often find myself watching The Joy of Painting when I’m feeling anxious or stressed, or can’t get to sleep.

My ‘happy little accident’ this year was thinking that opening an online Christmas jumper store wouldn’t be overly time-consuming, bearing in mind that I run it alongside my full-time job. I was wrong about that, for sure. I put all of my spare time into it. I have never felt so enthusiastic about Christmas jumpers – or my own designs for that matter.

“The secret to doing anything is believing that you can do it. Anything that you believe you can do strong enough, you can do. Anything. As long as you believe.”

The Bob Ross-inspired ‘Happy Little Christmas Tree’ jumper is of course not the only design on offer. There are seven more, and another one the way. I came up with most of the ideas while sitting in the waiting room at the dentist.

As creatives, I think it’s really common to encounter imposter syndrome with some regularity, and one of the wonderful side effects of this project has been that people seem to genuinely love the designs. The wave of support from friends and family has been incredible. It’s really quite an affirming thing.

“I can’t think of anything more rewarding than being able to express yourself to others through painting.”

I’m kind of ashamed to admit that I’m a terrible painter. All of my design and illustrative work is digital. My grandmothers are both wonderful artists – they love oils, pastels, charcoal, you name it. I use Adobe Creative Suite and a graphics tablet. But actually, if you’re designing for clothes, that’s the perfect medium.

So, if you were thinking of investing in a Christmas jumper this year, then I’d encourage you to visit my store and see what you think. If you’re a fan of Bob Ross, then as far as I’m aware, this is the first Christmas jumper that celebrates his work. It’s not just sweaters either – you can buy the designs on hoodies and tshirts as well. Shipping information can be found in the FAQs.

“I’d like to wish you happy painting, and God bless my friend.”

—

Jenna Thompson is an illustrator and digital copywriter from Bristol, UK. She loves getting her teeth into new creative projects – and for now at least, it’s Christmas jumpers. Reach out to Jenna on Twitter or through the Jolly Christmas Jumper Facebook page.

The post Featured Artist – Jenna Thompson, Illustrator appeared first on Art and Design Inspiration.