Finding a Secret Santa gift for an artist is easier when you focus on how they like to make things. This list pairs everyday studio helpers with supplies for painting, drawing, printmaking, and clay work.
20 Christmas Gift Ideas for Artists
1. Master Airbrush Cool Runner II Airbrush Kit
For Smooth Color Work
Master Airbrush Cool Runner II Airbrush Kit
- Includes three airbrushes with different feed styles and tip sizes.
- Comes with a compressor, hose, holder, and six primary acrylic colors.
- The kit also includes a quick-start guide and cleaning brushes.
Best For: Artists exploring airbrushing for illustration or model painting.
2. Artify 14-Piece Mixed-Hair Watercolor Brush Set
For Varied Watercolor Strokes
Artify 14-Piece Mixed-Hair Watercolor Brush Set
- Includes round, flat, filbert, angled, and liner brush tips.
- Mixed squirrel hair and nylon bristles are described as balancing water hold with control.
- Wooden handles and copper ferrules complete the set.
Best For: Watercolorists who want a range of brush shapes.
3. Falling in Art 11 × 14-Inch Birch Panels, 4-Pack
For Painting on Wood
Falling in Art 11 × 14-Inch Birch Panels, 4-Pack
- Four unfinished birch panels provide multiple painting surfaces.
- The rigid, sanded surface is designed to resist flexing.
- Panels are also suited to collage, resin, print mounting, and other mixed media.
Best For: Artists who like rigid surfaces or mixed-media projects.
4. A1 Double-Sided Self-Healing Cutting Mat
For a Roomy Craft Surface
A1 Double-Sided Self-Healing Cutting Mat
- The 23 × 35-inch mat has inch grids, angle lines, and alignment guides on both sides.
- Its self-healing surface is made for light cuts with rotary cutters and straight blades.
- The layered construction helps protect the worktable.
Best For: Artists who cut paper, fabric, or materials for crafts.
5. Bobblebro Linocut Printmaking Starter Kit
For Handmade Prints
Bobblebro Linocut Printmaking Starter Kit
- Includes four linoleum blocks, black water-soluble ink, a brayer, and a baren.
- Six carving blades and an illustrated instruction manual are included.
- Transfer and rubbing papers support making custom prints, cards, and stamps.
Best For: Artists curious about block printing and stamp carving.
6. MyLifeUNIT Brush Washer and Palette
For a Tidy Rinse Station
MyLifeUNIT Brush Washer and Palette
- Three compartments provide spaces for cleaning, soaking, and scrubbing brushes.
- The holder has 16 brush slots and the palette has 18 mixing wells.
- A removable lid can be used as an additional mixing tray.
Best For: Painters who want a compact brush-washing setup.
7. 18-Piece Silicone Clay Sculpting Tool Set
For Shaping Fine Details
18-Piece Silicone Clay Sculpting Tool Set
- The set combines silicone brushes, dual-ended ball styluses, clay shapers, and detail tools.
- Styluses have eight ball tip sizes for dots, textures, and patterns.
- Tools are described for use with air-dry clay, polymer clay, resin, and pottery.
Best For: Artists who shape clay or add detail to pliable materials.
8. Neatfi Pro Adjustable LED Desk Lamp
For Clearer Studio Lighting
Neatfi Pro Adjustable LED Desk Lamp
- The clamp-mounted lamp provides adjustable positioning for a desk or workbench.
- Touch controls offer multiple color temperature modes and dimming.
- Its CRI 95 lighting is intended for color-focused creative work.
Best For: Artists who draw, paint, sew, or craft at a desk.
9. VEVOR Tabletop Pottery Wheel
For a Clay Studio Corner
- The wheel has an 11-inch turntable and adjustable speed control.
- A detachable basin and side tool storage are part of the tabletop setup.
- The package includes stainless steel and wooden tool sets, plus an apron.
Best For: A clay artist starting or expanding a home pottery setup.
10. Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set, 12 Tubes
For a Flexible Acrylic Palette
Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set, 12 Tubes
- The set contains twelve 2-ounce tubes in assorted classic colors.
- The paints are described as thick, highly pigmented, and satin-finish when dry.
- Liquitex Professional acrylic colors and mediums are listed as intermixable with the set.
Best For: Acrylic painters who want a range of colors for mixing.
11. Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Lettering Set
For Modern Calligraphy
Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Lettering Set
- The set includes four India ink pens in black and dark red.
- Black pens have superfine, medium, 1.5 mm, and brush nibs; the red pen has a brush nib.
- The ink is described as water- and smudge-resistant.
Best For: Lettering artists and illustrators who enjoy expressive lines.
12. VISWIN Adjustable Tabletop H-Frame Easel
For a Compact Painting Setup
VISWIN Adjustable Tabletop H-Frame Easel
- The easel tilts from 0° to 90° and adjusts up to 25 inches high.
- It holds canvases up to 15 inches and folds flat for storage.
- It can also display finished artwork, books, signs, or tablets.
Best For: Artists who paint or display work in a small space.
13. MEEDEN 33-Well Ceramic Palette with Lid
For Spacious Color Mixing
MEEDEN 33-Well Ceramic Palette with Lid
- The porcelain palette measures 13.5 × 10.8 inches and has 33 wells.
- Two large central areas provide additional room for mixing.
- A lid helps cover paints and also offers a smooth mixing surface.
Best For: Watercolorists and gouache painters who mix many colors.
14. Fuumuui 36-Color Travel Watercolor Set
For Painting on the Go
Fuumuui 36-Color Travel Watercolor Set
- The portable set includes 36 watercolor colors, two mixing areas, and a dual-tip brush.
- It comes with 20 sheets of cold-pressed cotton paper in a refillable ring-bound book.
- The cover is water-resistant vegan PU leather and includes a built-in brush loop.
Best For: Artists who sketch or paint outdoors and while traveling.
15. Rechargeable A4 LED Tracing Light Pad
For Tracing and Sketch Refinement
Rechargeable A4 LED Tracing Light Pad
- The A4 light pad offers six brightness levels and stepless dimming.
- It includes a stand, paper clip, padded carry bag, and USB-C cable.
- The supplied accessories include tracing paper and artwork.
Best For: Illustrators and animators who transfer or refine sketches.
16. Two Wooden Artist Manikins, 8 and 12 Inches
For Gesture Drawing Practice
Two Wooden Artist Manikins, 8 and 12 Inches
- The set includes two posable wooden figures in different sizes.
- Their 14 flexible joints can be positioned for figure drawing reference.
- Each figure can also serve as a desk decoration.
Best For: Figure artists practicing poses, gesture, and proportion.
17. Masterson Sta-New Brush Holder
For Brush Storage Between Sessions
Masterson Sta-New Brush Holder
- The holder has ten brush slots with rubber grips.
- It positions brushes bristles-down for drying and storage.
- It can mount to an easel, wall, workbench, or counter.
Best For: Painters who want brushes organized and ready to use.
18. Golden State Art 16 × 20-Inch Archival Folio Box
For Protecting Works on Paper
Golden State Art 16 × 20-Inch Archival Folio Box
- The clamshell box is sized for 16 × 20-inch photos, prints, or other crafts.
- It is made from acid-free, lignin-free archival board.
- A thumb-cut opening and reinforced metal corners are part of the design.
Best For: Artists organizing finished prints, drawings, or photographs.
19. Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Pencils, 48 Colors
For Layered Colored Pencil Work
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Pencils, 48 Colors
- The set includes 48 assorted colored pencils in a tin case.
- Soft, thick cores are described as suited to shading and blending.
- The pencils are intended for drawing, sketching, and adult coloring.
Best For: Illustrators who enjoy detailed work and layered color.
20. Gold Leaf Gilding Adhesive Kit
For Metallic Finishing Touches
Gold Leaf Gilding Adhesive Kit
- The kit includes adhesive, varnish, 100 leaf sheets, two brushes, and tweezers.
- The water-based adhesive is listed for use on surfaces including wood, glass, ceramic, and paper.
- Masking tape, gloves, and a spray bottle are also included.
Best For: Artists adding metallic accents to paintings or decorative work.
How to Choose a Secret Santa Gift for an Artist
Start with the kind of work the recipient already enjoys. Painters may appreciate fresh materials or tools that make a familiar process easier, such as the acrylic set, watercolor brushes, ceramic palette, or brush washer. For someone who draws, consider colored pencils, lettering pens, wooden pose figures, or a tracing pad. Printmaking, clay, and gilding kits suit artists who like trying hands-on techniques and making things with texture.
When you do not know their medium, a practical studio accessory can be a thoughtful Christmas gift. A brush holder, cutting mat, archival box, or adjustable easel can support ongoing work without asking the recipient to change their style. Think about their workspace too: a tabletop easel or compact brush washer can suit a small desk, while the large cutting mat and ceramic palette need more room.
Match the Gift to Your Budget
For a modest Secret Santa budget, look for focused tools that are useful on their own: lettering pens, sculpting tools, a brush holder, manikins, or an archival box. These gifts have a clear purpose and do not require you to assemble a larger bundle. The watercolor brush set, pencil tin, and wood panels offer a broader set of materials for someone who uses those media.
More involved kits and equipment make sense when the group budget allows and you know the recipient’s interests. The linocut kit, travel watercolor set, light pad, and airbrush kit bring multiple components together around a particular activity. The pottery wheel is a more substantial choice for a recipient who is interested in working with clay and has a place to use it. A lamp or easel can be a larger workspace upgrade for someone who paints regularly at home.
Consider Compatibility and Personalization
Art supplies are personal, so check the medium before choosing paints, paper, or tools. The acrylic set is for acrylic painting; the ceramic palette is described for watercolor, gouache, and other water-based colors. The travel set pairs watercolor paints with cotton watercolor paper. Linocut and gilding kits are technique-specific, while the sculpting tools are listed for several pliable materials. Matching a gift to a known practice makes it more likely to fit the recipient’s routine.
For equipment, consider the workspace and the kind of projects they do. The easel holds canvases up to 15 inches, while the archival box is sized for 16 × 20-inch work on paper or photos. The clamp lamp needs a suitable desk, table, or workbench edge. The light pad is A4-sized and includes a carry bag. If you know a favorite color, subject, or project, a short handwritten note can personalize a practical tool without guessing at a specialized supply preference.
Plan for Christmas Timing and Last-Minute Choices
Choose early when the gift depends on a particular medium or needs room in the studio. Kits with several parts can be especially useful when the recipient has time to explore them, and tabletop equipment may take more thought about storage. For a closer-to-Christmas choice, a self-contained item such as the brush holder, lettering set, colored pencils, palette, or archival box is straightforward to wrap and understand.
If you are unsure what the artist uses, focus on organization, lighting, or reference tools rather than an unfamiliar paint or paper. Keep the product title and included components handy when buying, and check current listing details for size and contents before ordering. The best Secret Santa gift ideas for artists are those that recognize how they create and give them a useful way to keep making art after Christmas.



















