How to Choose Gifts for Artists

Selecting the perfect gift for a budding artist involves understanding their medium, style, and needs. Opt for quality supplies like paints, brushes, sketchbooks, or specialised tools, which are sure to delight as gifts. For a personal touch, or consider Broad Canvas gift vouchers as a gift for someone to use in their own time.

Are you a budding artist, or know someone that would like to start their creative journey but needs a gentle nudge? Perhaps you are a student enrolling for a creative subject, or even a pro looking for something new. A gift makes such an impression, and here at Broad Canvas we have you covered.

Read on to explore our curated range of products that make an excellent gift for any artist. We've kept the prices down so that you can try out some products you've never explored before.

Gift Idea 1: Royal Langnickel Sketch & Draw Art Set

A premium collection of drawing and sketching tools housed in a luxurious tiered wooden box, featuring 134 pieces. This is such a richly packed set, that calling it a gift is an understatement.

Set Includes: 24 Colour Pencils, 18 Soft Pastels, 12 Woodless Colour Pencils, 12 Graphite Pencils, 12 Pastel Pencils, 12 Compressed Colour Sticks, 6 Sketching Sticks, 6 Charcoal Sticks, 5 Woodless Graphite Pencils, 5 Blending Stumps, 4 Vine Charcoal Pieces, 3 Charcoal Pencils, 3 Woodless Charcoal Pencils, 3 Watercolour Sketch Pencils, 1 Artist Mannequin, 1 6" Ruler, 1 Sandpaper Block, 1 Kneadable Eraser, 1 Drawing Eraser, 1 Sharpener, 1 Artist Guide (Sketching & Drawing), and 1 Wooden Carrying Case.

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Gift Idea 2: Student Acrylic Starter Set

If you're not sure what you need to start painting with acrylic paint, or looking for a gift for a loved one venturing into the world of acrylics? To help you our team of experienced artists have prepared the ultimate Student Acrylic Starter Set for students and newcomers wanting to explore the joys of acrylic painting for the first time.

The set includes: Daler Rowney System 3 Original Acrylic Selection Set 8 x 75ml. / Pro Arte Short Hand Polar Wallet W10. / Daler Rowney Slow Drying Gel 75ml. / Rectangular Plastic Palette - 20 Well. / Daler Rowney Langton Watercolour Paper Spiral Pads Cold Pressed/NOT 140lb: 14 x 10in.

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Gift Idea 3: Fabriano Artistico Block 300gsm/140lb Rough: 18x24in

A rough-surface watercolor paper with a touch of elegance. Crafted from 100% cotton through a meticulous mould-made process, this acid-free paper is glued on all four edges for stability. Available in 7x5in, 12x9in, and 18x12in sizes, it’s designed for versatility.

With internal and external sizing, it offers exceptional absorbency while preserving its pristine character, even when scratched or reworked. The distinctive rough texture enhances every brushstroke, infusing paintings with dramatic depth and vibrancy. Perfect for professional artists and discerning amateurs!

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Gift Idea 4: Daler Rowney Simply Complete Art Set (96pcs)

This jam-packed set features 96 different art supplies – including an easel – all in one handy package.

Contents included: 6 x 12ml Acrylic Tubes / 25 Oil Pastels / 1 Gum Eraser / 1 Mixed Media Art Board / 3 Acrylic Brushes / 35 Drawing Sheets / 1 Pencil Sharpener / 1 Table Easel / 12 x Watercolour Half Pans / 3 Drawing Pencils / 1 Palette Knife / 1 Carrying Case / 1 Travel Watercolour Brush / 3 Colouring Pencils / 1 Mixing Palette / 1 Colour Mixing Guide.

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Gift Idea 5: POSCA Paint Marker Pens - Set of 24 in a Travel Case

The POSCA case is a must-have for paint marker enthusiasts, featuring a curated selection of PC-1M, PC-3M, and PC-5M POSCA Paint Markers, in a sleek black travel case. Ideal for beginners, amateurs, and professionals alike, these fibre-tip markers use water-based pigment ink for vibrant, poster-paint-like effects. Suitable for paper, card, metal, plastic, glass, canvas, and more, they’re water-resistant, fade-resistant, and produce opaque, blendable colours without feathering or bleeding. Once dry, layer with ease for versatile, odor-free creativity... we love them!

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Gift Idea 6: Design Starter Bundle

Our Design Starter Bundle is perfect for any student starting on their design studies. Whether you're looking to be a graphic designer, concept artist, storyboarder or similar, we have a great selection of starter products to help you make a fresh impression.

It includes: Broad Canvas Scale Rule / Ecobra Duo Tec Giant Bow Compass with L Bar / Adjustable Set Square / Rumold Digi French Curves Set / Aristo MG1 College Technical Pen Set / Derwent Graphic Pencils Tin Medium Set of 12 / Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolours Sketchers Pocket Box / Derwent Coloursoft Pencils Tin Set of 12 / Factis Triangular Eraser / Black Cloth Casebound Portrait Sketchbook: A3.

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Gift Idea 7: Broad Canvas Gift Cards – The Perfect Gift for Artists.

Are you having trouble coming up with the ideal present for your artistic friend or relative? Look no further than our gift vouchers for creative supplies! Giving the gift of creativity is easy with our vouchers. Your friend or loved one will value the chance to pick from our extensive collection of art supplies, whether they are an established artist or just getting started.

Available as either In-Store Voucher for our Oxford store, or a Website Voucher for use on this online store. Both versions come in values of: £5, £10, £20, £50 or £100.

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Gift Idea 8: Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour Lightweight Sketchers Box (12 x 5ml)

Explore 12 top-tier Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolours, renowned for exceptional performance. This lightweight sketchers' tin features a classic “English” colour palette. The Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour Lightweight Sketchers Box, with 12 x 5ml tubes, offers a versatile colour range chosen for seamless mixing.

Includes: Winsor Lemon / Cadmium-Free Yellow / Cadmium-Free Red / Alizarin Crimson / Permanent Rose / French Ultramarine / Winsor Blue (Green Shade) / Permanent Sap Green / Yellow Ochre / Burnt Sienna / Burnt Umber / Payne’s Gray. Please note that colors may vary slightly depending on Winsor & Newton’s stock availability.

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Gift Idea 9: Daler Rowney System 3 Original Acrylic Paint Starter Set (6 x 22ml)

System 3 acrylic paint is a versatile, water-based medium that delivers a superior painting experience at an affordable price. Crafted with high-quality pigments, it provides exceptional pigment loading compared to other acrylics. The extensive System 3 colour range ensures excellent lightfastness, permanence, durability, and strong coverage. We say this is an almost essential set of acrylic paints for beginners.

Colours included: Titanium White / Cadmium Yellow Hue / Cadmium Red Hue / Ultramarine / Emerald / Burnt Umber. Note that colours may vary slightly depending on stock availability.

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Gift Idea 10: Aristo MG1 College Technical Pen Set (0.18, 0.25, 0.50)

A great gift for the more technical artists and designers, nothing beats the feeling of owning a top quality technical pen.

Aristo drafting pens are reliable, user-friendly tools for technical drawings, available as single pens or in “college” sets. Conforming to international sizing standards with colour-coded tips, they use permanent, lightfast latex-based India ink. Each pen comprises a cap, nib, reservoir, and handle, offering great value compared to other brands. Easy to fill with clear maximum fill indicators, the moulded nibs simplify maintenance, though regular cleaning is advised. A click-safe cap prevents nib drying, and pens should be emptied and flushed if unused for long periods. Aristo’s cleaning fluid restores flow if needed.

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