Gift Idea For Watercolor Artist

Does your friend paint on location? Is so this brush set is great;

http://www.dickblick.com/products/richeson-plein-air-travel-brush-set/

I am looking for something other than a book, paper or brush.
Taking a chance that it is something new to try.

Um... This? ;)

I like this palette, an extravagant purchase for someone that actually doesn't do much watercolor but I really like it;

http://www.dickblick.com/products/tom-lynch-porcelain-palette/

I like these for watercolor sketching on the go.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/mijello-fusion-airtightleakproof-palettes/

Well, Cynthia, that is quite adorable. But, I want her to be able to interact with the gift since we are both Makers.

what about an assortment of handmade papers?

Oh, you said no paper.... how about if you signed up for a class together, in something you haven't done? I know in my town there's a sumi-e class (japanese brushwork). Maybe something like that that you can do together?

Nice ideas! Any artist has his/her own color palette, and different kind of brushes habit, I guess as I do watercolors. Good quality of watercolor blocks or heavy weight watercolor papers are always welcome.

As a watercolor artist myself, I agree that a good watercolor block, Arches or Fabriano Artistico would be welcome by me.

I used to be set on my brushes but had to borrow a brush once and fell in LOVE with it. So, giving a new style good brush to try isn't a bad idea. The brush I borrowed and then put on my own gift list for ME is Fibonacci professional sold by Cheap Joes online. My standard canvas size is 8x10 and 12x16 so two rounds, one smaller and one larger is about all I use.

Pens are nice, archival acid free etc with metallic ink would be fun.

Being a watercolor painter if anyone here wanted to send me gift. here is my list"

1) arches watercolor paper 90lb or 140lb rough
2) Da Vinci watercolor paints, just the basic colors no need for metallic pens, masking fluids or watercolor pencils.
no need for more brushes, still have gift never use.

Thank you!.

I ask my long-distance relatives just to give me gift certificates to art supply stores. Michael's, Dick Blick, there are lots of possibilities. Amazon gift certificates can be turned into art supplies. Every once in a while I tell one of my relatives that their gift is directly responsible for the existence of one of my pieces of art.

Don't rule out paper, though, unless the recipient has asked you not to give paper. A watercolor artist can never have too much good quality watercolor paper... Arches is a classic, I don't know of any watercolor artists who don't like Arches.

a package of hand made papers . Hobby Lobby has a package of hand made papers tied up with a twine bow .
Very reasonably priced , & with their %40 of coupon - buy a pretty silk sunflower to place on top.

duplicated

Alfred, ha ha, wonderful idea. I should write a gift list as well, ha ha...

A magazine subscription too is good as she can keep up with the latest in water color field.
http://www.northlightshop.com/gift-guide/gift-guide-watercolor

Hiya Nancy,

I have the perfect gift...one of my paintings. :)

I don't think you should rule out paper. There is some absolutely luxurious paper to be had out there that I would never be disappointed with as a gift, and I hardly ever actually paint these days! In fact, that might just make me do it.

I have a friend who is watercolor artist, and would also like to hear some suggestions,, so this is why I'm writing here :) to be notified via e-mail if someone comes up with it. nice!

if you have a big budget for your gift giving, I would love a roll of Arches watercolor paper. 100 sheets of the 90lb rough paper..

You wrote "masking fluid" as an idea, at the very top.

Masking fluid is a great idea (in my opinion). It's another art supply that gets used up, and it's *SO* nice to have an extra unopened jar on hand when you run out or it dries out on you.

You could sneak in a box of toothpicks for applying the masking fluid, too, since masking fluid can ruin brushes.

****
Alfred: LOL !!

if you only wanted to spent a couple of bucks for this gift: you can buy a pack of "Mr. clean magic eraser" which is great to remove watercolor.

Watercolor pencils are fun to use! You can draw with them and then use a brush with water to release the color (kinda like the old coloring books with dots that became paint when touched with water). You can also rub them against emery boards and let the tiny dots fall onto damp paper and release their color. That's a great way to add texture to even a very traditional watercolor painting.

This piece shows the texture you can get with shavings from watercolor pencils:


This piece was done almost exclusively with watercolor pencils:



If your friend does any mixed media work, you might get oil pastels. They are fun to use as a resist, and for their color, with watercolors.

A gift certificate to Dick Blick for all her supplies. That way she can pick out what she wants/needs.

** Mary Lee Dereske

here is another idea, pay for a master watercolor workshop for your friend in Southern France.

Alfred:

Her friend will need lots of art coaches, so she should pay for a whole bunch of us FAA artists to come along to the workshop in Southern France...!

I bought see through paint cans to store my piles of paint. It would make an awesome gift and you can fill it with goodies too. I got mine at a local craft store.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=clear+plastic+paint+cans&qpvt=clear+plastic+paint+cans&qpvt=clear+plastic+paint+cans&FORM=IGRE

You can always give a gift card to their favorite art store.

Cheryl, for a small fee and a return air ticket, I will give a one on one master watercolor workshop to her lucky friend.

Or you can introduce and pay your friend to join FAA for being a member here :D :D...

Alfred: LOL... I wouldn't want to seem unappreciative of your generous offer, or anything.. but I have to ask: How much is that "small" fee?

Cheryl, only a dollar for each years I been painting with watercolor, $50 per hour.

If you were teaching the workshop, that would be a bargain. (-;
But I'm out of workshop money for the moment, I have to resort to pestering people on FAA or watching You-Tube videos if I want art lessons.

ok, so I ended up settling on a package of my favorite pens that I use for my hand lettering, so that she can add text and sign her work in them, and a set of metallic watercolor pencils which she was super excited about and specified that they will come in handy to add glistens to her hummingbird painting that is under way.