Choosing a gift for an artist is easier when you start with how they like to work: painting, drawing, making prints, or creating digitally. This list brings together useful tools, materials, storage, and inspiration at different scales.
18 Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Artists
1. Falling in Art French Style Field Easel
For Painting Beyond the Studio
Falling in Art French Style Field Easel
- Adjustable board accommodates canvases from 6 to 31 4/7 inches high.
- Can be configured as a desktop or floor easel.
- Includes a sliding drawer, removable palette, handle, and shoulder strap.
Best For: Artists who like to paint or sketch outdoors.
2. Westcott 12-Inch TrimAir Paper Cutter
For Neat Paper Projects
Westcott 12-Inch TrimAir Paper Cutter
- Cuts up to 30 sheets of 20-pound paper at a time.
- Titanium-bonded blade is described as three times stronger than stainless steel blades.
- Protective handle guard; designed for paper, fabric, boxes, and plastic packages.
Best For: Artists preparing prints, cards, or zines.
3. Golden Maple 25-Piece Paint Brush Set
For a Range of Painting Styles
Golden Maple 25-Piece Paint Brush Set
- 25 synthetic nylon brushes with wood handles.
- Suitable for acrylic, watercolor, gouache, oil, and ink.
- Canvas roll stores and carries the brushes.
Best For: Painters who use several paint types or work on varied surfaces.
4. Caliart 100-Color Dual-Tip Alcohol Markers
For Colorful Illustration
Caliart 100-Color Dual-Tip Alcohol Markers
- Set includes 99 colors and one colorless blender.
- Chisel and fine tips support broad and narrow marks.
- Color-coded caps and a carrying case help organize the markers.
Best For: Illustrators and designers who use alcohol markers.
5. Falling in Art Adjustable Tabletop Easel
For a Compact Workstation
Falling in Art Adjustable Tabletop Easel
- Beechwood easel folds for storage or transport.
- Board angle adjusts from flat to 80 degrees.
- Can hold artwork for painting, drawing, or display.
Best For: Artists who work at a desk or in a compact space.
6. JJRING 25-by-37-Inch Art Portfolio Tote
For Carrying Large Work
JJRING 25-by-37-Inch Art Portfolio Tote
- Sized for most 24-by-36-inch artworks; check measurements against the piece.
- Has a front pocket for a sketchbook and small art supplies.
- Folds into a small square when not in use.
Best For: Artists who carry large drawings, posters, or canvases.
7. Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylic Set
For a Versatile Acrylic Palette
Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylic Set
- Includes 12 tubes of 20 ml professional acrylic paint.
- Colors include Lemon Yellow Hue, Ultramarine Blue, Raw Umber, and Titanium White.
- Paint is described as quick-drying, with a range of opacities.
Best For: Acrylic painters working on canvas, board, or mixed media.
8. MoMA Now: Highlights from The Museum of Modern Art
For Fresh Visual Inspiration
MoMA Now: Highlights from The Museum of Modern Art
- Illustrated book featuring 375 works from MoMA.
- Offers a chronological overview of art from roughly 1867 to 2017.
- Includes work by well-known and lesser-known artists, alongside architecture and design.
Best For: Artists who enjoy art history and visual references.
9. 14-Drawer Rolling Storage Cart with Tabletop
For a More Organized Studio
14-Drawer Rolling Storage Cart with Tabletop
- Includes 14 drawers in two sizes for tools and craft supplies.
- Tabletop, pegboards, hooks, and a hanging basket add storage options.
- Locking wheels allow the cart to move and stay in place.
Best For: Artists organizing a growing collection of supplies.
10. Wacom Intuos Small Bluetooth Drawing Tablet
For a First Step into Digital Drawing
Wacom Intuos Small Bluetooth Drawing Tablet
- Battery-free pen and four ExpressKeys for shortcuts.
- Connects by Bluetooth or USB-A and works with Mac, Windows, and Chromebook.
- Includes access to creative software and online training after registration.
Best For: Digital illustrators or traditional artists exploring digital work.
11. ASUS ProArt 27-Inch QHD Monitor
For a Larger Digital Canvas
ASUS ProArt 27-Inch QHD Monitor
- 27-inch QHD IPS display with 2560-by-1440 resolution.
- Includes DisplayPort, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, and a USB hub.
- Stand adjusts for height, tilt, pivot, and swivel.
Best For: Digital artists, photographers, and designers who need more screen space.
12. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wide-Format Printer
For Making Prints at Home
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wide-Format Printer
- All-in-one printer, scanner, and copier with six-color ink tanks.
- Supports print media up to 13 by 19 inches.
- Designed for photos, graphics, and creative projects.
Best For: Artists who print photographs, digital work, or small runs.
13. Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor 72-Color Pencil Set
For Detailed Color Work
Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor 72-Color Pencil Set
- 72 assorted oil-based colored pencils in a metal carrying case.
- 4 mm leads are described as pigmented and lightfast.
- Suitable for paper, cardboard, wood, and other synthetic materials.
Best For: Illustrators and artists who build images with layered color.
14. Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Travel Tin
For Painting on the Go
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Travel Tin
- Contains 24 whole pans of artist's watercolor.
- Lightweight metal box includes a detachable palette and lid.
- Suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
Best For: Watercolor artists who want a portable paint set.
15. Mungyo Gallery 72-Color Soft Oil Pastels
For Expressive Marks and Blending
Mungyo Gallery 72-Color Soft Oil Pastels
- 72 assorted soft oil pastels in a wooden case.
- Pastels are described as blendable and suitable for layering.
- Can be used for color gradations, overlays, scraping, and stippling.
Best For: Artists who enjoy direct, expressive color application.
16. Adjustable LED Clamp Desk Lamp
For a Flexible Studio Light
Adjustable LED Clamp Desk Lamp
- Flexible gooseneck and clamp mount let the lamp attach to a desk or workbench.
- Offers three color modes and 16 brightness levels per mode.
- Touch controls and a remote adjust the light.
Best For: Artists who draw, paint, or assemble work at a desk.
17. Rechargeable A3 Dimmable LED Light Pad
For Tracing and Transfer Work
Rechargeable A3 Dimmable LED Light Pad
- A3-size light pad with a foldable stand and magnetic clip.
- Three color temperatures and adjustable brightness support different work settings.
- USB-C charging and a built-in battery allow corded or battery use.
Best For: Illustrators, animators, and artists who trace or transfer drawings.
18. U.S. Art Supply 16-by-20-Inch Stretched Canvas, 3-Pack
For Ready-to-Paint Surfaces
U.S. Art Supply 16-by-20-Inch Stretched Canvas, 3-Pack
- Three 16-by-20-inch cotton canvases with gallery-depth profiles.
- Triple-primed with acrylic titanium gesso.
- Described for acrylic, oil, watercolor, gouache, and other wet or dry media.
Best For: Painters who want prepared surfaces for larger work.
How to Choose a Secret Santa Gift for an Artist
A useful artist gift starts with the recipient’s current habits, not assumptions about what every artist needs. If you have seen them sketch on a commute, make small paintings at home, or share digital illustrations, use that clue to narrow the field. Portable materials such as the watercolor tin, marker set, or colored pencils suit artists who like to work in different places. A tabletop easel or desk lamp supports a more settled workspace. For someone already making prints or digital work, a printer, drawing tablet, or monitor may fit their practice.
When you are unsure which medium they use, consider tools that support several activities. A portfolio tote helps carry drawings and presentation pieces, and a storage cart can organize many kinds of supplies. A book of art and design offers visual reference without requiring the recipient to adopt a new technique. A brush set may suit a painter who works across several media, while a paper cutter makes sense if you know they prepare cards, prints, or zines. Pay attention to the product’s actual purpose: a large-format tool may be less useful to someone with limited space or a small, portable practice.
Match the Gift to Your Budget
For a modest Secret Santa budget, look first at consumable or compact creative materials: pastels, pencils, watercolor pans, or a book. These can feel personal when you choose them around a medium or interest you know the recipient enjoys. A brush set, markers, or prepared canvases offer a larger collection of materials, but check whether the artist already has similar supplies.
Workspace equipment, such as an easel, lamp, or cart, can make a more substantial gift. Digital hardware like a tablet, monitor, or printer is a bigger commitment. It may be a good fit when the recipient has mentioned wanting a specific tool; otherwise, those items are easier to misjudge. You can also make a small gift feel considered with a note explaining why you picked it, such as choosing a sketching set for someone who draws on lunch breaks.
Check Compatibility and Personalization
For tools with dimensions, compare them with the recipient’s existing work area and materials. The portfolio is intended for most 24-by-36-inch artwork, but the actual piece should be checked against its measurements. Canvas size, easel capacity, and a monitor’s desk footprint matter too. A compact workspace may call for the folding tabletop easel rather than a standing model or rolling cart.
For digital equipment, compatibility is especially important. The Wacom tablet lists support for Mac, Windows, and Chromebook, with Bluetooth and USB-A connection options; still, confirm the recipient’s device and preferred software setup. A printer or monitor also needs room and suitable connections. If you want to personalize a gift without guessing, choose a format or subject tied to their practice: watercolor for a watercolorist, a portfolio for someone who carries finished work, or a museum book for an artist who enjoys looking at other artists’ work.
Timing and Last-Minute Decisions
For Christmas, leave time to check dimensions, device compatibility, and whether a tool matches the artist’s medium. Larger equipment may take more thought to fit into a studio, while books and compact materials are simpler choices when you know the recipient’s interests. Avoid relying on delivery estimates or availability without checking current listings.
If the gift decision is coming down to the wire, choose from what you already know. A practical supply that matches their familiar medium is often more useful than a surprising tool they may not need. When you have little information, a book, general storage option, or versatile carrying solution can show consideration without requiring a major change to their creative routine. A thoughtful Secret Santa gift for an artist does not have to be elaborate; it should make a small part of their creative life easier, more inspiring, or more enjoyable.
