Gift for creatives – the ultimate guide

Pen& Ink Drawing – click here

Personally, I do not draw this precisely but I still loved learning hatching and crosshatching with Alphonso Dunn’s book and workbook. A lot of insides also about understanding volumes and shading.

Pen&Drawing workbook – click here

This book is full of exercises about different ways of hatching. The exercises are from simple mark-making to full drawings. I actually bought the workbook first. Even though it is a nice addition to have both, it is not necessary.

Art before breakfast – click here

In this book, Danny Gregory shows you that you can create even if you have a very busy life. ( If it is before breakfast or while commuting on the train, just enjoy the small project he proposing.
He has a free and loose way of sketching. A fun gift for creatives, no matter their level of skills.

Girl with a pearl earring – click here

I read this book and savored every word. Diving into the everyday life of a painter with all the drama and passion that went with it. …just fantastic.

The creative license – click here

Danny Gregory is a self-taught artist and encourages you to jump right in and draw what surrounds you. Fun exercises and encouraging words.

Conscious Creativity – click here

This book inspires to consciously look live and get inspired. It has exercises and things to reflect on. For me it is a book that I pull out here and there and read a bit. I also just love to look at the wonderful photographs.

Unfortunately, creative license is out of stock right now but I think it is still helpful to see his style of drawing. (Art before breakfast and Draw without talent are similar books by Danny Gregorys)

Pen & ink drawing – click here to buy

Show your work – click here

I would only recommend this book for artists. It is about sharing what you do and also teaching others your knowledge. Austin Kleons books are very fun and easy to read.

Keep going – click here

Keep going is giving you a booster for your artistic journey. We all lose once in a while our motivation or get insecure. Even after I read the three books I like to pull them out and read a few pages whenever I need it.

Farber Castell 9000 Art Set – click here

I love this specific set, not so much because of the brand (there are many good once) but for the selection of graphite darkness (B for bold / H for hard)
There are many B’s and only a few H’s in this particular box. The perfect mix for me.

Derwent ultimate drawing set click here

This is a complete set for someone who loves drawing or wants to start. Different graphites, charcoal, eraser, and pencil sharpener. There are so many different types of drawing you can do with this collection

Farber Castell – Artist Color pencil set – click hereT

These color pencils are waterproof. I not only use them to draw on paper but also on top of my acrylic paintings. They have a bit of an oily feel and are rather soft. Very pigmented.

Caran d’ache professional quality watercolor pencil set – click here

Supracolor aquarelle, you can activate the colors by adding water. It is a lot of fun to draw, then work over in certain parts with water. Caran d’Ache is also very pigmented and can only be an appreciated gift for creatives.

Caran d’ache – Professional oil pastel set – click here

In my experience, Caran d’ache and Sennelier are the most pigmented oil pastels and just an incredible pleasure to work with. Caran d’Ache oil pastels are a bit harder and you draw fine lines easier with the edges, while Sennelier are creamy, soft, and have a rich feel. They are both a fantastic gift for creatives no matter if they like mixed media or simply oil pastel art.

Sennelier artist oil pastels – click here

Sennelier is the Rolls-Royce of oil pastels. Extremely pigmented, creamy, and soft. I personally have both brands but have a little preference for Caran d’Ache because they are a bit harder. I am often energetic while drawing and have a tendency to break the Senneliers.

Reviewed brands: Caran d’ache – Sennelier – Yaxon

QoR professional watercolors – click here

I have many different watercolor sets but this is the one, I am using the most. It is small, I can pop it into my bag, mix many different colors with it and the colors themselves are beautiful and highly pigmented. If you are just starting and prefer a cheaper set. I had this one before and was happy with it as well: click here.

Hahnemühle Watercolor book -click here

I enjoy drawing in watercolor books. The paper is thicker than the regular sketchbooks and the colors will not bleed through the pages. Even though I like bigger sizes, this Hahnemühle Watercolor book is very practical since is light weight, and has a size that I can carry easily with me.

Pentel watercolor brush L – click here

This paintbrush is in no way comparable with a normal watercolor paintbrush but SO PRACTICAL! I don’t need to carry water with me and I am ready to paint immediately anywhere. (the water is in the container in the back of the pen) Also, not many know about this type of brushes and it could be a real surprise gift.

Uni pin fine liner – click here

If you only wanted to buy 1-2 pens, I would recommend you to go for a 0,1 and 0,5 one. But the whole set is great because you can work with so many different thicknesses in your drawings. I like Uni pin, because they are quite robust. I also draw over gouache with them. (but make sure the paint is completely dry, or it will ruin your pens)

Click and go Water pot – click here

…my little gatchet. This pot can be pushed together like an accordion additionally it is light and fits even in a small purse.

Round watercolor brush – click here

I have many different watercolor brushes and have not yet come up with an absolute favorite brand. If you plan to paint mostly indoors I would go for a proper watercolor brush and if you want to create anywhere you would probably enjoy using both. (also the one with a water container)

Online class how to build a Leporello – click here

In this class, you learn how to build your own Leporello (accordion book), make your own collage paper with a Gelli plate, and how to create collage images with it. I am offering a special until the 25th of December 30% off the class using the code: Holidays. After purchasing the class forward the class access mail to your beloved one, whenever you wish. (full supply list in the class, but Gelli plate is the biggest investment and can be used for all sorts of creations)

Gelli plate – click here

With a Gelli plates you can make prints without a press. A lot of fun to make collage paper but also proper creations (you need the brawer with it)

Brawer – click here

To work with the Gelli plate a brawer is necessary. (any brawer would do)

Creta Color Set – click here

With this drawing set you can experiment with Graphite, Charcoal, different pastels, and Sanguine. I had bought each one independently over the years. It would make a lot of sense to have them in one set.

Caran d’Ache – Set – click here

All the colors in this set are water-soluble. This means you can draw with the color pencils, Neocolor, and leave it as a drawing, or use a paintbrush afterward and blend colors. Plenty of supplies to play with and come up with all sorts of creations. I like the Neocolor II a lot for quick sketches and add water to create shades. A lot of fun!

Derwent Charcoal XL – click here

This XL charcoals are not as soft as charcoal are usually, they almost feel a bit like graphite. I like that they are bulky. Drawing with them feels raw and intuitive.

Bamboo pen – click here

This Bamboo sticks make incredible drawing lines. Cut off the end to different width, and dip it in the ink. (leaving them first for 5 min in hot water helps to be able to draw longer lines) It gives very expressive line work.

Black cat ink – click here

You can use any ink for the Bamboo pens but I am proposing this one because it is waterproof and if you would like to work over your drawing with watercolor it won’t bleed.

Hand lettering and Calligraphy – click here

A book that will help you start with hand lettering and Calligraphy. Easy to follow! I enjoy the hand lettering a lot. There is a lot of freedom to create and play.

Sign Micro Bush Pen – click here

This pens make it so easy! You can draw fine lines and the moment you give more pressure the lines become thicker. Perfect when you don’t have a steady hand, like me!

Pilot parallel pen – click here

This parallel pen is obviously great for calligraphy.. but now only. I love to add a few lines with it to my sketches.

Join me for an Art Class!

30% off until the 25th of December 2020

Offering a class to a friend is not only providing a fun moment but also offering knowledge, investing in someones skills!
As a mixed media artist I have always made it my mission to share my passion and knowledge. I want you to create freely, regardless if you know well how to draw or not. Everyone has a story to tell. Find below two of my classes on sale. Paint along with me and learn new techniques!

Ladies with character

I have become completely hooked on creating fun portraits in a free and imaginary style. You will learn the foundation of drawing faces and I will guide you with two mixed media projects from beginning to the end on how to create a painting in this technique.

Creatures with character

Have fun painting your favorite animals. You will learn a surprising technique combining acrylic paint and ink. There are warm-up exercises as well as two full projects guided from beginning to the end.