19 Practical Art Gifts Ideas for Artist in 2025

Not every art gift hits the mark.

Sometimes it’s a well-meaning set of pens that never get opened. Other times, it's a trendy item that looks nice in theory but doesn’t quite make it into an artist’s workflow.

The best gifts? I think the best gifts are the ones that slide naturally into the creative process. Tools, inspiration, or resources that feel useful, not just the pretty ones. Although he can be pretty too.

And if the artist in your life works digitally, it gets even trickier. You’re not buying a canvas or a brush set. You’re stepping into a space filled with tablets, styluses, design apps, layered files, texture packs, and a hundred subtle preferences. But don’t worry — you don’t need to know all the software lingo or the latest tech.

This guide breaks it all down clearly.

These are gift ideas that come from the trenches of the creative process. Some are practical. Some are beautiful. All are things that an artist would either already want — or wish they had once they see it.

While this list leans toward digital tools and assets, we’ve included a few physical ideas too. Just enough to balance it out.

Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, the holidays, or just want to support someone’s art journey, you’ll find something here that’s more than just decorative. You’ll be giving something they can actually create with.

Digital Tools & Creative Software

This is where most digital artists live day to day — inside creative software. Gifting someone a tool they’ll actually use is one of the most thoughtful things you can do. It’s not just helpful — it feels like you understand how they work.

Here are some software tools and licenses that make genuinely good gifts:

1. Procreate (or a Procreate Gift Card)

If they have an iPad, chances are high that they either already use Procreate — or want to.

It’s one of the most intuitive drawing apps out there. Artists love it for how natural it feels. You open it, start sketching, and it just flows. Gifting Procreate itself is easy, but if they already have it, look into premium brush sets or add-ons from creators they follow.

Think of it like giving them a new sketchbook… only better, because it syncs to iCloud and never runs out of pages.

2. Clip Studio Paint EX

This one’s a favorite among illustrators, comic creators, and animators. It’s especially great for artists who want a more traditional drawing feel but with powerful features underneath.

It handles things like panel layouts, speech bubbles, and frame-by-frame animation. If the artist you’re buying for leans into comics or character design, this is a solid upgrade.

3. Affinity Designer or Affinity Photo

Not everyone wants to get locked into a subscription. That’s where Affinity steps in.

These are professional-grade tools; one for vector illustration, one for photo editing and they come with a one-time price tag. For artists who design posters, prints, or social graphics, this gives them serious creative power without the monthly Adobe tax.

4. A Month (or Year) of Adobe Creative Cloud

If they do use Adobe products, a subscription gift is actually thoughtful.

It covers Photoshop, Illustrator, and more, depending on the plan. For artists who already rely on these tools, this isn’t just a kind gesture. It’s time saved, costs covered, and one less thing to worry about when they hit "Export."

Digital Assets & Downloadables

Sometimes the most valuable gift isn’t a tool; it’s the raw material that fuels creativity.

Digital assets like texture packs, brushes, and clip art sets are things artists reach for constantly. They speed up workflow, add depth to work, and open up new creative directions. Think of them like paints, fabrics, or stencils — but built for a screen.

Here are a few digital gift ideas that are genuinely useful:

5. Premium Brush Packs for Procreate, Photoshop, or Clip Studio

A good brush pack can completely change the feel of someone’s work. Whether it’s charcoal textures, inky pens, dry brush streaks, or watercolor blends, artists are always on the hunt for brushes that match their style.

Look for brush sets from independent creators on platforms like Gumroad, Creative Market, or Etsy. If you know the artist’s style; is it rough, dreamy, comic-style, vintage ? You can tailor your choice even better.

6. Hand-Drawn Clip Art Sets & Line Art Bundles

These are great for artists who work on prints, merch, packaging, or social content. Think floral illustrations, minimalist line drawings, or textured watercolor elements.

Grouped collections of hand-drawn elements let artists skip the base work and jump straight into design. You’re not just giving them art, you’re giving them time and inspiration in one shot.

Bonus points if the set is commercial-use friendly.

You’ll find beautiful clip art and line art sets on marketplaces like Etsy, Creative Market, or from independent artists such as Ekaproeka, whose shop features elegant, hand-drawn bundles suited for all kinds of creative projects.

7. Texture Overlays & Grain Packs

These are the finishing touches that can make a piece pop. Grain, halftones, paper textures, ink bleed effects — they bring digital work to life and add warmth and imperfection where needed.

These are especially appreciated by artists who work on posters, album art, or vintage-inspired pieces.

8. Mockup Templates for Prints or Products

Artists who sell their work often need mockups to showcase it, whether it’s art prints on a wall, designs on tote bags, or stickers on laptops.

Giving access to high-quality PSD mockups saves them hours of staging, photography, and editing. It lets them present their work like a pro — even if they’re just starting out.

Creative Market & Asset Subscriptions

Sometimes, the best gift is the freedom to choose. That’s what marketplaces and subscriptions offer — an ever-growing library of creative resources that an artist can explore on their own terms.

These are especially great for artists who create across different mediums — illustration, product design, digital prints, branding, and more.

Here are a few top options:

9. A Gift Card or Credits for Creative Market

Creative Market is packed with fonts, mockups, brush packs, templates, and clip art — most of it made by independent artists.

A gift card here isn’t just a throwaway option. It’s a passport to a world of creative tools they can handpick and actually use. Perfect for the artist who’s constantly experimenting or building up their own small business.

10. Envato Elements Subscription

If the artist in your life works fast, produces a lot, or dabbles in client work, this is a powerhouse.

Envato Elements offers unlimited downloads on everything from design templates and stock photos to fonts and graphic packs. It’s the kind of subscription that pays for itself in the first week. Think of it as a constantly stocked digital toolbox.

11. Creative Fabrica or Design Cuts Bundles

These platforms offer curated bundles of fonts, brushes, textures, and illustrations — often deeply discounted and geared toward digital creators.

They’re especially useful for artists who sell on Etsy, design planners, or make digital products. It’s also a nice way to support independent artists who sell through these platforms.

Physical Gifts with a Digital Twist

Digital artists don’t need a studio full of paint tubes and canvases. But that doesn’t mean physical gifts are off the table. The right gear can make digital work smoother, more comfortable, and even more expressive.

Here are a few physical gifts that pair perfectly with a digital workflow:

12. Drawing Gloves

This is one of those small things that makes a big difference.

A drawing glove helps the hand glide smoothly over a tablet, reduces friction, and prevents accidental touch inputs. It’s especially useful for iPad users and tablet illustrators. Look for ones with breathable fabric and a snug fit.

Bonus: They look cool and feel like part of a creative ritual.

13. Extra Stylus Nibs or Replacement Tips

Stylus tips wear down, especially if the artist draws daily. A set of high-quality replacement nibs — whether for an Apple Pencil, Wacom pen, or Huion stylus — is both practical and underrated.

It’s the kind of thing artists don’t always remember to buy themselves… but they’re always glad to have on hand.

14. Screen Protectors with Paper-like Texture

These add a subtle resistance that mimics real paper. It’s a game-changer for iPad artists who want more control and less glassy sliding.

It doesn’t just protect the screen — it enhances the feel of drawing itself. Look for ones that don’t blur the display too much, so color clarity stays sharp.

15. Adjustable Tablet Stand

Working long hours at a flat desk? Not great for posture or wrists.

A good, adjustable stand makes it easier to draw at different angles, whether the artist is sketching on an iPad or a larger tablet. Some even fold down for travel. It’s a small ergonomic upgrade that artists feel immediately.

Online Courses & Skill Boosters

A new brush pack is great, but sometimes, the real shift happens when an artist levels up their skills or dives into something new. That’s why education-based gifts are so valuable. They’re not just tools — they’re invitations to grow.

Here are some strong options that feel personal and empowering:

16. Domestika Course Credits

Domestika courses are beautifully made, instructor-led, and super focused. You’ll find deep dives into character design, digital illustration, 2D animation, procreate techniques, and more.

The best part? Artists get lifetime access once they redeem a course, so they can go at their own pace, revisit lessons, and even use the included resources.

17. Skillshare Membership

This one’s great for the curious artist who likes dabbling across styles and tools.

Skillshare is packed with bite-sized classes on everything from digital drawing to freelancing to print-on-demand strategies. It’s a solid gift for artists looking to expand their skills and learn how to turn their work into income.

18. School of Motion or Motion Design School Access

These two platforms are gold if the artist leans into animation or motion design.

They go way beyond surface-level tips — think frame-by-frame breakdowns, composition theory, storytelling through movement. A more premium gift, but one that shows you truly get where they’re headed.

19. Procreate Masterclass Access (or similar platform-based tutorials)

Not every artist wants a general course site. Some just want to master their tool of choice.

You’ll find creators on Gumroad, Teachable, and their own websites offering targeted courses, like mastering Clip Studio Paint or Blender. These are often taught by working artists and include real workflows.

Give Creatively, Thoughtfully

Gifting an artist isn’t about guessing what looks cute on a shelf. It’s about understanding how they create — what excites them, what makes their process smoother, what nudges their creativity just a little further.

And the best gifts? They don’t interrupt that flow. They feed it.

Whether it's a tool they’ll reach for daily, a digital asset they’ll fold into their next big project, or a course that flips a creative switch, the right gift shows you get it. You’re not just giving them something. You’re backing what they do.

So take the list above and make it yours.

Pick one thing that speaks to the artist you’re buying for — not just what they make, but how they work. It doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be right.

That kind of gift? It always lands.

Ciao!