Best Gifts for Pencil Artists

Buying for a pencil artist is harder than it looks. Pencil sets are personal, brands are loyal, and an impressive box of the wrong pencils can sit unopened. The good news is that coloured pencil artists (colored pencil artists in the US) and graphite artists are also easy to delight, because so much of what they use wears out and needs replacing.

This guide groups gift ideas by the giver’s budget, low, medium and high, rather than by price, because what counts as a lot varies widely. For each level we say what to buy, what to avoid and how to get it right even when you are not sure what the artist uses. We do not quote prices, so check current ranges with the retailer. If you want a steer on pencil sets in particular, the pencil set quiz is a quick way to match a set to a style.

Before you buy: find out what they use

A little detective work prevents most gift mistakes.

• Look at their kit. What brand of pencils do they reach for? Are they soft wax, firm oil-based or a mix?
• Check what they draw. Portraits, food, animals and landscapes push towards different tools; see best coloured pencils.
• Ask about their paper. Many artists are fussy; grey, hot press and mixed media all suit different work. See best paper for coloured pencils.
• Ask what is running low. Whites, darks, erasers and sharpener blades vanish first.
• Ask a friend or family member who sees their studio.

If you still cannot find out, stay with consumables or a gift card for an art shop they already use.

A wooden drawer of coloured pencils, erasers, brushes and art supplies in separate compartments.

Low budget gifts

Small gifts can be the most used. These are useful, low-risk and welcome at any skill level.

A good sharpener

Soft pencils break in a poor sharpener and dull quickly, so a quality sharpener is a practical present. A precise one keeps a long point and wastes less pigment. Derwent’s pencil sharpener is one option we attach below, and our guide to best pencil sharpeners for coloured pencils compares the alternatives.

Erasers

Pencil artists use several kinds: a soft kneaded eraser, a precision eraser pencil for small lifts and, for some, an electric one. Pasler eraser pencils suit fine detail. See best erasers for coloured pencils and lifting and erasing coloured pencil.

A few open-stock pencils

Buy the colours they use most, usually whites, darks and skin or earth tones. Open stock lets you add without duplicating a whole set. It works best if you know their brand, so check before buying.

A small sketchbook or pad

A small pad suits quick studies. Check the paper is suitable for pencil layering. Our best sketchbooks for coloured pencil covers options.

Avoid at this level: novelty sets, very large cheap sets with no brand reputation and thin sketchbook paper that cannot take layers.

Medium budget gifts

At this level you can give something they would not always buy for themselves.

A small to mid-size set of a proven range

Pick a range that matches their style. Soft, easy-blending pencils suit learning; firm pencils suit detail. Options in this guide include Prismacolor Premier, Derwent Coloursoft, Derwent Chromaflow and Faber-Castell Goldfaber. Check the current range for set sizes. See also best coloured pencil sets.

Quality paper

A good pad or a few sheets of the paper they prefer is a thoughtful gift. Grey mixed media is popular for colour and highlights, and a grey sketchbook is convenient to carry. The Art Gecko grey sketchbook is one we attach below; our best sketchbooks for drawing covers others.

An electric eraser

For lifting small highlights, an electric eraser is a quiet upgrade many artists never buy themselves. Derwent’s is attached below. Check that the artist works on paper that tolerates erasing.

A book

A technique book lasts. For coloured pencil, the Colored Pencil Painting Bible is a widely known title, and Super Realism is a popular choice for realism. See best books for coloured pencil artists and best books to improve your drawing for more.

Storage

A pencil roll, case or tray keeps soft pencils from being knocked about. Useful if they currently keep loose pencils in a mug.

Avoid at this level: a large set of a brand they do not like, duplicates of pencils they own and gifts that need their paper or workflow to change.

A small, well-chosen selection can do a great deal; a thoughtful small set beats a huge one.

High budget gifts

When the budget is generous, think quality and longevity.

A premium set or a professional single range

Professional pencils such as Polychromos, Luminance and Derwent Lightfast are designed for artists who sell or exhibit; see professional vs student coloured pencils and Polychromos vs Luminance vs Lightfast. They are most welcome if the artist already uses that brand or has been wanting to step up. Read the Polychromos review and the Lightfast review for detail.

A large bundle of quality paper

A pad of heavyweight paper that suits their surface, or several sheets of archival paper, is a meaningful gift for an artist who sells work. See archival paper for selling your drawings.

Framing

Framing a finished drawing, or contributing to a frame fund, is among the most appreciated gifts for an artist who finishes work. Use our frame and mount calculator and how to frame and mount a drawing to check sizes first, and ask them what size they plan to use.

Studio upgrades

A good lamp, a drawing board, an adjustable easel or a comfortable chair all make long sessions easier. See how to set up a home drawing studio for ideas.

Courses and books together

A course or a pair of books on a technique they want to learn can be a high-value gift. See best drawing courses.

Avoid at this level: guessing a brand, a huge set they will not use, and equipment that does not fit their space.

Gifts by type of artist

If the artist…	Good gift
Is a beginner	A small to mid-size soft set, a sharpener and a pad; see best coloured pencils for beginners
Draws portraits	A creamy pencil, a precision eraser and smooth paper; see best coloured pencils for portraits
Draws animals and detail	A firm pencil, a sharpener and a fine eraser
Works in graphite	Quality graphite, a kneaded eraser and heavy paper; see best graphite pencils for drawing
Sells or exhibits	Professional pencils, archival paper and framing

Buying tips

• Buy open stock of colours they use, not a whole set, unless you know they want one.
• Check the current range before you buy; sets, names and colours change.
• Stay with their brand if they have a favourite.
• Keep the receipt or choose a retailer with a simple return policy.
• Include a gift card for art-shop flexibility if unsure.
• Think about what they draw. A gift that fits their subject is used sooner.

The short version

The best gifts for pencil artists are the ones they will use. Low budget: a good sharpener, erasers, a few open-stock pencils or a small pad. Medium: a small to mid-size set of a proven range, quality paper, an electric eraser or a book. High: a professional set, premium paper, framing or studio upgrades. Avoid giant novelty kits and duplicates, check the current range, and use the quiz if you need help matching a set to a style.