Looking for a gift for a buddy who is an artist or a kid who attends art school? Here is a list of seven items that we believe any artist should always have on hand, regardless of whether they work in traditional media or a less traditional medium, along with our suggestions for particular products gleaned from previous evaluations.
Even if the recipient already has a well-stocked studio, a truly good tool is always appreciated. Many are quite reasonable as gifts.
Let’s get started and find out what are those basic tools that tend to create wonders. Happy reading!
Paper
The market is flooded with several kinds of artists’ papers. The ideal paper for pen or pencil sketches is usually processed paper with a smooth surface. The most useful and adaptable item is a good mixed-media pad, which is useful in most circumstances.
The 100% cotton paper, which is acid- and lignin-free, has a vellum-like surface with a soft feel. There are 12 sheets of natural white paper inside each glue-bound pad.
Despite being bright white and thick, Canson’s mixed-media paper works well with dry media, such as pencils and charcoal. However, you need to be more careful when using wet media like ink and watercolors because too much liquid might cause the surface to deform.
Pencils
Pencils are essential tools in the toolbox of any artist, whether they are made of wood or metal, soft lead or hard. You will understand the paradoxical thrill of discovering a pencil that sharpens evenly if you have ever experienced the unique, quiet aggravation that comes with one.
These pencils have precisely centered lead cores that are attached to the cedar wood barrel and are made by the Japanese art supply business Tombow. Due to its hardness, cedar wood may be easily and smoothly removed, revealing a point. 12 pencils in this set range in hardness from a 4H to a soft 6B.
The graphite drawing pencils soft-grade set of four pencils vary from HB to 6B and have a hexagonal shaft constructed of strong cedar that has been painted a dark blue color.
Pens
Pens with pigment-based ink are the most useful kind since they won’t bleed or run when liquids are spilled on them or when watercolors or other paints are used after the ink has dried. Various tip sizes are available for a lot of artist pens.
The Sakura Pigma Micron pen, with its recognizable beige barrel and gear-shaped head, was created in the early 1980s as a low-cost delivery method for their unique pigment-based ink. It is still the best-quality disposable sketching pen in its category.
Sakura’s archival-quality Pigma ink, which is permanent, fade-resistant, chemically stable, bleed-free, and run-proof once dry, elevates the Micron to the standard instrument for anyone concerned about maintaining their artistic output. Three pens are included in this set, with three different sizes of fine to medium-fine tips: 0.1mm, 0.3mm, and 0.5mm.
Work Light
You can adjust the brightness and lighting pattern at your desk or workspace with the best work lights. You can change the color temperature of some LED lamps to get warmer or cooler light.
People like the original Luxo Combination Task Lamp, which has two interchangeable 14W compact fluorescent bulbs and a 22W circular fluorescent lamp.
To provide the ideal lighting for your work, the spring-balanced arm extends to a length of 45 inches, and the angle of the head may be changed in any direction.
Brushes
A combination of widths and tip styles is advised because these can be split into brushes best suited for drawing lines, applying colors, and producing gradations and shadowing. There are several excellent synthetic substitutes for animal hair that can be used for a variety of purposes.
The synthetic brushes from Princeton are genuinely all-purpose and can be used with acrylic, oil, or watercolor paints. A #4 round brush, a #8 long round brush, a 3/8-inch angle shader, and a 3/4-inch wash brush are all included in this set of four short-handled brushes.
Straight Edge Ruler
A long straight-edge ruler has countless functions in the studio, ranging from directing cutting knives to drawing long, straight lines. It is not just for architects and drafts people. With Starrett’s sturdy, inexpensive, one-meter-long straight-edge ruler, there is no justification for not purchasing a high-quality tool, even on a student’s budget. It is made of anodized aluminum and features a hanging hole because that will stop it from warping the most.
Tool Kit
Regardless of the medium or media they utilize, almost all artists will eventually require a range of everyday household tools. You never know when you might need to put a frame together, hang a piece of art, or fasten an installation setup.
In a small storage container, some kits include an 8-ounce claw hammer, pliers, a tape measure, a utility knife, a bit driver with 20 bits, screwdrivers, hex keys, and scissors. Every artist will love this.
Conclusion
We sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed reading this extensive list of the equipment that artists use to produce their paintings and illustrations. Tools are crucial for any artist, but they can only take them so far. Prioritize your ability and technique over the instruments you employ. Having said that, painting in particular with a cheap paintbrush is an absolute nightmare; thus, find a nice balance.
