The Artists Christmas Gift List 2021

If you have been following The Art Gear Guide for more than a year, I am sure you will know about the Christmas gift idea lists that I have been publishing for going on 5 years now and I am also thrilled and privileged for this to be my third year publishing the Christmas gift list in Ann Kullberg’s Color Magazine. Where has the time gone?

This year I have published 5 different lists, a Luxury List, Enthusiasts List, Art Books List, Stocking Filler List and the list you are about to view; The Artists Christmas Gift List. The items I have included in this list are all products for the Artist in your life. Now, we are all artists in our own right, but the people I am referring to in this list are those who absolutely need highly lightfast products, products that can be used on their commission, art gallery exhibits or next competition entry.

Of course, as I am sure you are aware of, all of the items in this particular list are going to be a bit pricy, however this is what we have all come to expect when sourcing such high value supplies. Nevertheless I have provided some excellent ideas for the Artist loved one in your life and I know however that may be, they will be thrilled to receive such a gift for Christmas. If however, you are the said Artist in the family, try buying the print version of Color Magazine, if you are not already reading this article from the magazine, circle the item or items you most desire with a huge red marker and indiscriminately, accidentally on purpose, leave the magazine, opened at this page, right under the nose of whoever is most likely to be feeling generous this year. If you don't have access to the print version of Color Magazine, print the page out on your printer, multiple times and do the same thing with the marker and use the printouts as placemats for dinner, maybe even wallpaper, whatever helps you capture the attention of the generous one.

All joking aside, lets get into the selection of wonderful art supplies for Christmas 2021, incidentally, all the items in this list I have either reviewed on The Art Gear Guide, used or have still to review but have used them all and can hand on heart recommend them.

Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils 36 Set

Almost every colored pencil artist in the world I am sure will know who Derwent are, they are one of the most amazing pencil companies on the market, as with many of the amazing big companies, they have been manufacturing pencils for many years. Their most recent colored pencil was the Derwent Lightfast, this pencil was specifically aimed toward fine art colored pencil artists, however, because of just how wonderful the palette and pencils themselves performed, the Derwent Lightfast range has been used and adopted by all and any artist wanting to use colored pencils.

I have selected the 36 set of Derwent Lightfast as I have always recommend that at least a 36 set of any colored pencil brand should be purchased if within your budget. The 36 palette in the Derwent Lightfast range provides adequate value range in the major color families that almost any colored pencil genre can be completed. The Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils are obviously highly lightfast and any work carried out using such a set will last for a 100 plus years, allowing you as the artist to increase the value of your work.

For Artists in the UK the 36 Set of Derwent Lightfast will cost approximately £90.24, for US artists $73.99 and for artists in the EU €81.66

Royal Talens Van Gogh Colored Pencils 60 Set

Next we have the Van Gogh Colored Pencils by Royal Talens, I completed a review of these pencils approximately two years ago now and I was incredibly confused after the review. My confusion lay in why such an excellent range of colored pencils, highly lightfast under the ASTM Standard and yet they are not really spoken about within the colored pencil community, certainly not as favourably as I would like.

Of all the ASTM rated colored pencils, the Royal Talens Van Gogh set are the least expensive, they are sold open stock and of course come in a range of set sizes from sets of 12, 24, 36 and the 60 set on display for this list and the 60 set being the full range. I loved using the Van Gogh colored pencils for my review and still use them as often as I can.

For Artists in the UK the 60 set of Royal Talens Van Gogh Colored Pencils will cost approximately £57.05, for US artists $85.67 and for artists in the EU €62.20

Stabilo CarbOthello Pastel Pencils

The are so many artists that would love to use pastels, but they can’t due to the fact they hate the texture of the pastel dust on their hands, or are concerned about breathing in pastel dust, however, pastel blocks are not the only pastels you can use, pastel pencils will help you. I am not suggesting that if you use pastel pencils you won’t breath in any pastel dust or that you won’t get any pastel dust on your hands, however, this format of pastel will significantly reduce both.

Stabilo are a well known name in the art world, especially for items such as stationary, however, they also provide one of the most amazing brands of Pastel Pencils on the market with excellent lightfast ratings. The barrel of the Stabilo CarbOthello Pastel Pencils is marked with a star system clearly indicating just how lightfast each pigment is. As with all the products on this list, you can check out my review of the product on The Art Gear Guide YouTube channel and website before you decide to make the purchase.

For artists here in the UK this 60 set of Stabilo CarbOthello Pastel Pencils will cost approximately £71.74, for artists in the US $83.67 and for artists in the EU €90.54

Derwent Drawing Pencil 24 Set

Next up is perhaps one of the most unique palettes on the market for a set of colored pencils, the Derwent Drawing Pencils hold a special place in so many colored pencil artists hearts. The Derwent Drawing Pencils only come in sets of 12 and 24, this is perhaps the only negative thing anyone ever has to say about them and that is only because we all want a larger set of these gorgeous pencils.

Again, the Derwent Drawing Pencils are highly lightfast under the Blue Wool standard which allows the finest colored pencil artists to use them in their work. That being said, the Derwent Drawing Pencils are so desirable that enthusiasts of colored pencils, be they crafters, adult colouring book enthusiasts etc love using them as well, the fact that they are lightfast is only an added bonus to is artists.

For artists here in the UK the Derwent Drawing Pencils will cost approximately £39.32, for artists in the US $41.98 and for artists in the EU €55.41

Caran d’Ache Luminance 76 Set

The Caran d’Ache Luminance are a direct competitor to the set of pencils right at the top of this list and with good reason, both pencils sport highly lightfast credentials making them incredibly desirable to fine art colored pencils artists the world over. The Caran d’Ache Luminance pencil was the first to be created with such a focus on lightfastness and this really helped colored pencil artist to start selling their work and to be taken seriously by the other art communities.

The Caran d’Ache Luminance pencil is an all round perfect pencil and all you have to do is Google the term, “best colored pencil debate” to see the back and forth that is had as to which pencil is the best in the world with the Luminance holding the title from a birds eye view. I personally don’t see colored pencils in this way, a need to title a certain pencil, “Best in the World”, I prefer to view them as tools of our trade and passion that work beautifully together. Caran d’Ache have recently extended the range to 100 in direct competition to the Derwent Lightfast.

For artists here in the UK the Caran d’Ache 76 Set of Luminance will cost approximately £199.00, for artists in the US $249.98 and for artists in the EU €224.99

Schmincke 24 Watercolor Half Pans

In the interest of providing options for all artists, except oil painters and acrylic painters only because I personally have not experienced such delights due to my own disability and the preparation etc that is required for such mediums, I have included this beautiful watercolor set. Schmincke have long been a formidable name in the art world and the same is true for the companies name in providing high quality watercolors.

This is a 24 half pan set from Schmincke, each half pan housed within a black metal tins with inner white mixing wells. The 24 colors in this beautiful set are, Burnt Sienna, Lemon Yellow, Magenta, Cadmium Yellow Light, Manganese Violet, Cerulean Blue Tone, May Green, Naples Yellow, Permanent Carmine, Cobalt Green Dark, Permanent Green Olive, Phthalo Green, English Venetian Red, Prussian Blue, Helio Turquoise, Sepia Brown, Indigo, Ultramarine Finest and Ivory Black.

For artists here in the UK the Schmincke 24 Half Pan Watercolor Set will cost approximately £128.55, for artists in the US $149.95 and for artists in the EU €110.64

Derwent Inktense Blocks

The Derwent Inktense range is another range from Derwent what is quite unique, most artist, that are inclined to use water soluble products have more than likely used the Derwent Inktense Pencils, what I have selected for this list is something a little different in the Derwent Inktense Blocks.

The Inktense range, as the name suggests is essentially ink in a pencil, or in this case, a block. Traditionally, when the color is applied in it’s dry form, via the pencil format to paper, the pigment is activated using water and a brush. When the Inktense dries, it is permanent, the blocks look like sticks of pastels but they offer so much versatility, the Inktense blocks can be used on paper, canvas, bags, trainers etc, they truly are amazing and highly lightfast.

For artists here in the UK the 72 Derwent Inktense Blocks Set will cost approximately £116.99, for artists in the US $141.80 and for artists in the EU €159.00

36 Set Of Unison Pastels (Landscape Set)

Pastels are such a wonderful medium, I understand not everyone likes the feel of pastels, but they provide so many advantages over other mediums, you can paint light over dark as you can with oils and acrylics, without the setup and storage issues, there is no set up, you can stop painting and leave your supplies out on the desk without fear of the paint drying etc.

Unison however, offer some of the most amazing pastels in the world, in my opinion. Of course I have not tried all pastels, but quite a few and no matter what, I keep coming back to the gorgeous Unison Pastels. Unison sell their pastels open stock, in beginner sets, large sets, tailored sets to genres such as seascapes, landscapes, wildlife etc. I have of course reviews and artwork available on The Art Gear Guide website and YouTube channel if you would like to explore these beautiful pastels and what they are capable of before purchasing a set.

For artists here in the UK the 36 Unison Pastel Landscape Set will cost approximately £159.99, for artists in the US $161.25 and for artists in the EU €167.75

Caran d’Ache Museum Aquarelle 40 Set

As with so many Caran d’Ache products, they are made to the highest quality. Caran d’Ache have many water soluble pencils in their arsenal, however the Museum Aquarelle are right at the top of the tree in terms of quality, over other Caran d’Ache water soluble products.

The pigment strength in the Museum Aquarelle is truly incredible. With any water soluble product, it is not really important to have lots and lots of colors, unlike traditional colored pencils and this is because mixing watercolors to create a new color or tone is much easier. Caran d’Ache have been quite clever in the sets they have created. There is a 20 set dedicated to Landscape and a 20 Set dedicated to Seascape, both sets sport palettes to create any scene from either genre. I have added this 40 set of mixed colors, with some rudimentary color theory skills and this 40 set of Caran d’Ache Museum Aquarelle, you will simply be able to create any color you like.

For artists here in the UK the 40 Set of Caran d’Ache Museum Aquarelle will cost approximately £96.99, for artists in the US $130.16 and for artists in the EU €118.41

TomBow Mono 100 Graphite Pencils

Finally I have included a high quality graphite product into this list, the TomBow Mono 100 Graphite Pencil. Believe it or not, graphite is lightfast or graded for lightfastness, just as many other art supplies are. When creating a beautiful graphite can be protected by using archival paper and spraying a final fixative over the work, as well as framing the work behind UV protected glass.

This set of TomBow Mono 100 Graphite provides beautifully rich darks in the B catagory’s and the H catagory’s are nice and smooth, H grades can often be scratchy and gritty due to clay fillers to lighten the natural graphite. The TomBox Mono 100 also come in this gorgeous yet practical storage box.

For artists here in the UK the TomBow Mono 100 Graphite set, it will cost approximately £18.95, for artists in the US $36.99 and for artists in the EU €22.52

Artists Christmas List 2021

Every item in this list can be purchased and used by you to complete a commission, a piece being submitted to an art gallery or even a competition, they are all highly lightfast products, ready to ensure your creative passion lasts for the rest of your life and the life time of the recipient.

Art is uplifting, a passion that reminds us every day we get our or supplies to paint or draw, that we are alive, that life is beautiful and precious. There is a time and a place for all of us to use art supplies exactly the way we chose to, even if it is to simply splash as much color on to a canvas or watercolor block, but there is equally a time for us to be accurate with our supplies in order to share our passions with others. This list is for such times.

I would like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and for those of you who do not celebrate this time, I wish you all an equally wonderful holiday period. Also as someone who is incredibly honoured and privileged to be part of this outstanding publication, Ann Kullberg’s Color Magazine, I wish you all, a wonderful Holiday period.