Thus far, you might have been gifting the digital artists in your life with typical items. But this year, why not switch it up and go for something truly unique? It’s an ideal way to acknowledge their artistic prowess and show your genuine appreciation for their creativity.
Perhaps you could consider empowering them with something that could help them venture into a new artistic discipline they’ve been eyeing but have yet been able to explore. You never know, this could be just the push they need to create their next masterpiece. Our promise? They’ll be overjoyed, and they’ll cherish your thoughtfulness.
Top-tier Hardware & Gear: Elevate Your Digital Artistry
1. The Friendly Swede Brush & Stylus
Experience the sensory delight of traditional painting with this stylus, mimicking the feel of a real bristled brush. Compatible with most touch-screen devices and nearly all painting applications – just be careful not to mistake it for your paintbrush!
2. Male and Female Posable Figures
Add a dose of realism to your artistry with these highly flexible 6” male and female figurines. Detailed hand gestures and stable acrylic pedestals make these superior to any stock photo, offering the flexibility to be moulded into any desired pose and painted from all angles.
3. Apple iPad Pro
An artist’s essential, the iPad Pro offers the perfect blend of speed, precision, and responsiveness. Its ultra-smooth surface and compact design make it a fantastic portable canvas, ready to capture your ideas wherever inspiration strikes.
4. Apple Pencil
Complement your 11-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation) with the newest Apple Pencil. A tool that transforms your iPad into a canvas or notepad, charging wirelessly and magnetically attaching to the iPad’s side for convenience.
5. Wacom Cintiq 22 HD Display Tablet
For artists undeterred by cost or the need for mobility, this is a dream tool. The expansive 22” responsive screen churns out breathtaking detail, making it a match for artists missing the grandeur of a large canvas or paper.
6. Multi Device Charging Station and Dock
An eco-friendly bamboo charging station designed to keep your workspace neat while powering all your digital art gear simultaneously, including phones, tablets, and rechargeable stylus pens.
7. Adonit Note Stylus
Empower any iPad to be a digital canvas with this pressure-sensitive stylus pen. Featuring palm rejection technology, you can rest your hand naturally on the screen without leaving unwanted marks.
8. Wacom Bamboo Stylus Mini
Convenient and compact, this mini stylus is compatible with any tablet or smartphone and conveniently attaches via the audio jack for doodling on the go.
9. Toshiba Canvio Basics 1.0 TB Portable External Hard Drive
Safeguard your collection of PSDs and other hefty files with this highly-affordable and portable external hard-drive, ensuring your digital masterpiece collection is secure.
10. Sony W800 Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom
Capture high-quality images for digital art references with this camera, a match for artists constantly seeking inspiration.
11. Illustrated Logitech Wireless Mouse
Reinvent your work-station aesthetics with an artistically designed wireless mouse, available in several striking designs.
12. Heiyo Stylus Pen for IOS, Android, and Windows
A universal stylus pen compatible with a variety of devices, including iPad, iPhones, Surface, HP Touch Screen tablets, and more. It comes with a micro USB cable and magnetic charging station.
13. Photoshop Shortcuts Keyboard Cover for MacBook
Helping digital artists recall Adobe Photoshop’s numerous keyboard shortcuts swiftly.
14. Padded Floor Chair for Outdoor Painting
Outdoor painting sparks creativity. Carry this comfortable floor chair with adjustable backrest for a relaxed painting session under the open sky.
15. Satechi 4-Port Aluminum USB Hub
Free up your USB ports with this sleek, compact 4-port USB hub designed to ease the hassle of constantly plugging and unplugging devices.
16. Quirky Pivot Power 2.0 Flexible 6 Outlet Surge Protector
A flexible, colorful power strip and surge protector that bends to accommodate your workspace’s unique requirements, holding large adapters in each outlet.
17. Nix Mini Color Sensor
Your very own real-world Photoshop eyedropper tool, scanning and returning precise color values from your surroundings.
18. Wacom Intuos Pro Digital Drawing Tablet for Mac or PC
Endorsed by top artists and schools, the Wacom Intuos Pro proves itself as the ultimate tablet for both beginner and intermediate digital artists.
19. Wacom MobileStudio Pro
Gift the freedom to work and paint from anywhere with Wacom’s portable graphics tablet. Lightweight and powerful, it runs the most demanding 2D and 3D applications, a testament to its remarkable computing and graphic power.
Apps & Brushes
20. Coolorus 2: Your Ultimate Photoshop Color Wheel
Coolorus 2 takes color selection in Adobe Photoshop to the next level. It revolutionizes how artists pick colors with an assortment of features like Color Harmonies, Luminosity Lock, Gamut Masks, and an enhanced Color Mixer & Sliders. It’s a game-changing plugin that is reshaping color grading in digital art.
21. Handy Art Tool App: Your Digital Hand Model
Struggling to draw hands? Drop the mirror and grab the Handy Art Tool App. This handy (pun intended) app provides an array of hand poses for artists to use as references, eliminating awkward hand mirror poses.
22. MARA3D Facial Expressions: Boost Your Character’s Emotions
MARA3D Facial Expressions is an indispensable asset for artists wishing to master the subtle art of facial expressions. The app features an unlimited range of customizable facial expressions, a full emotion & viseme set, pinch, zoom, & orbit options, and a lifelike face model with two texture modes.
23. Procreate: Unleash Your Artistic Potential On the Go
Labelled as the most potent drawing and painting app for the iPad, Procreate allows artists to sketch, paint, and illustrate from anywhere and at any time. It’s a portable art studio that fits in your hands.
24. Adobe Photoshop: The Industry’s Favorite
While numerous digital painting programs exist, Adobe Photoshop has cemented its place as the industry’s go-to tool. Its power, versatility, and the plethora of available tutorials make it an invaluable asset for both novice and veteran digital artists.
25. Adobe Photoshop Sketch: Bring Your Ideas to Life Instantly
Adobe Photoshop Sketch is a vibrant app for artists who prefer working on their iPhone or iPad. Featuring the highly-praised Photoshop brush engine, including brushes from the renowned Kyle T. Webster, this app is like having a portable Photoshop in your pocket.
26. Roman Melentyev Perfectionist Photoshop Brushes: A Comprehensive Brush Set
Popular among professionals for its versatility, Roman Melentyev’s brush set is another top-notch option. If you’re hunting for a comprehensive brush set that covers all your artistic requirements, your search is over.
Books & Magazines
27. The Creative World of Loish: An Artistic Odyssey
This captivating hardcover book penned by the prodigious digital artist Lois van Baarle, widely recognized as Loish, is an artistic treasure. Discover the evolution of her unique style, from childhood sketches to professional digital illustrations, packed with invaluable tips, lessons, and awe-inspiring artwork.
28. Innovate like an Artist, by Austin Kleon
This insightful book serves as a guide and compilation of life lessons for creative minds in today’s digital realm. According to Kleon, the secret doesn’t lie in being a genius but in being true to oneself.
29. Masters of Digital Art: Volume 9
This inspirational collection presents over 300 magnificent artworks from some of the world’s leading digital artists. This book is guaranteed to stir your creative instincts!
30. Fundamentals of Sketching
Master the art of sketching, from defining early concepts to final poses, designs, and compositions. This skill is the cornerstone of any digital artist’s repertoire.
31. Techniques of Digital Art: Volume 8
The newest edition of the ‘Techniques of Digital Art’ series exhibits the latest trends and techniques in digital painting from industry pioneers.
32. Craft Your Destiny, by Kate Moross
Full of practical tips and insights on how to excel in the current art landscape. Although it leans toward designers, illustrators will also find extensive value in lessons about discovering your style, self-promotion, collaboration, and building your identity as an artist.
33. Unveiled: A Sneak Peek into the Sketchbooks of 44 Eminent Artists, Illustrators, Graphic Designers, and Cartoonists
Get a rare insight into the minds, creative processes, and unique idea development of 44 sophisticated artists and designers. This book helps readers understand how these accomplished artists bring concepts to life.
34. The Fundamentals of Digital Character Painting in Photoshop
Loaded with useful tips and lessons from recognized artists like Charlie Bowater and Derek Stenning, who share their experiences and expertise in crafting concept art characters.
35. Subscription to 3D World Magazine
Treat someone special with a subscription to this popular online magazine and provide them with a monthly dose of artistic inspiration – filled with guides for beginners and experienced artists alike.
36. imagineFX Magazine Subscription
Considered the world’s best-selling magazine for digital artists, imagineFX brings monthly bursts of tutorials, tips, and life lessons from industry leaders.
Lifestyle & Funny
37. Beautifully Crafted Wooden Laptop Stand by Grovemade
Experience a blend of usefulness and elegance with the Grovemade Walnut Laptop Stand. This meticulously designed stand puts your laptop in an ergonomically favorable position, essential when working on digital art for extended hours. It also helps in keeping your workspace tidy and inspiring.
38. Geekfactory’s Foot Hammock: Relax in Style
Feeling uninspired or stuck? Take some time off with Geekfactory’s comfortable foot hammock. Whether you’re catching up on your favorite YouTube channel or Netflix series, this handy addition to your workspace will help you unwind and rejuvenate your creative energy.
39. Ctrl + Z Tee: A Digital Artist’s Chant
This T-shirt is a quirky representation of every digital artist’s unofficial mantra – Ctrl + Z, the universal shortcut for undoing mistakes.
40. Slate 2.0: Your Portable Workstation
Fancy creating art in your garden or while watching TV? With Slate 2.0 mobile LapDesk, your workstation moves with you. Balancing your tablet on this sleek platform will need some mastering, though!
41. An Elegant Organiser by Bellroy
The Bellroy A5 Work Folio, a luxurious leather organizer, is an elegant solution to safely store your digital art gear. It accommodates your tablet, phone, cables, earbuds, and cards. Available in black or caramel, it’s a stylish way to keep your essentials at hand.
42. Aqua Notes: Your Shower-Time Scribble Pad
A mountable waterproof notepad to record fleeting ideas or sketch those morning doodles, Aqua Notes ensures your creativity doesn’t wash away with the shower water.
43. The Barisieur: Your Morning Inspiration
Kickstart your morning with creativity and caffeine, courtesy of The Barisieur. It’s an alarm clock with a unique twist – it wakes you up with a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea to get your creative juices flowing.
44. Artist Sock Collection: Art at Your Feet
This set of funky socks feature four delightful designs: Feetaso, Andy Sock-Hole, Frida Callus, and the crowd favorite, Vincent van Toe.
45. 3Doodler – The 3D Printing Pen
Revolutionize your artistic process with the 3Doodler, a 3D printing pen perfect for sketching your ideas in 3D, offering an explorative edge to your creative output.
46. Total Hand Compression Massager
After a long day of sketching and painting, your hands deserve some TLC. This hand massager lets you relax and recharge. But beware, you might get too comfortable and have a dip in productivity!
47. Smoko USB Foot Warmer
Your feet need pampering, too! Though they aren’t directly involved in painting (unless you have an unusual technique we should know about), comfort leads to better work. Enjoy these S’more-shaped, USB-powered heated slippers and make your feet happy.
48. Cocoon Grid-It Organizer: Travel Friendly
A perfect companion for digital artists on the go. This organizer keeps your cables, stylus, phone, USB sticks, and more in order and easy to access.
49. Hives and Honey TV Easel
While this TV Easel might be pricier than the TV it’s supposed to hold, it adds a dash of luxury to your workspace. It’s the most stylish accessory we could find, making it a worthy addition to your digital studio.
50. The Gift of Knowledge
In the realm of gifting, material possessions can often wear away, however, a gift of knowledge is something that can last a lifetime. A thoughtful gift indeed is one that helps a loved one grow and hone a skill they’re passionate about.
The Digital Painting Academy serves as an ideal gift for yourself or the digitally inclined artist in your life. This prestigious academy opens up a world of premium tutorials, workshops and hands-on exercises, paving the way towards mastering the art of digital painting.
Supporting Digital Artists’ Creative Journey with Ko-fi
In addition to the array of remarkable gifts that can elevate a digital artist’s creativity, there’s another invaluable way to show your support. Consider introducing them to Ko-fi, a platform designed especially for artists. Ko-fi allows fans and admirers of an artist’s work to contribute and buy them a “coffee” as a gesture of appreciation.
By treating your favorite digital artist to a Ko-fi, you not only acknowledge their talent but also provide them with the means to further fuel their creative endeavors. This simple act can go a long way in sustaining and inspiring their artistic journey. So, while you explore the world of unique gifts for digital artists, don’t forget the power of a virtual coffee to warm their hearts and boost their creativity.
In Conclusion
Being an artist in the digital age is an exciting venture, with countless tools and resources at your disposal. Whether it’s the perfect ergonomic laptop stand, a foot hammock for those reflective pauses, or specialized apps and podcasts to enhance your skills, there’s a plethora of opportunities to enhance your creative journey. The thoughtful gifts listed in this guide not only add convenience and comfort to a digital artist’s work environment but also inspire creativity, making them a significant investment towards artistic growth.