As an artist myself, I know how easy it is to run out of supplies, especially when you are in the middle of a big project, or exploring an idea to the full by investigating all avenues.

When you work as an artist, you might become known for your papermaking, oil painting or watercolors, but you will always be open to other ideas. Any creative outlet will be of interest to you, and you will be wondering how you can incorporate new ideas and techniques into the work that you do.

This being the case, a gift basket for artists is a wonderful thing to give them as a gift. They will really appreciate all the little bits and pieces you put in, because they'll always be running out of them!

So what do you put in a gift basket for an artist?

THE BASKET

Choose your basket carefully. The ones with one big handle are great for gift baskets, because you can use the handle to support your cellophane when you wrap it. The ones with two little handles are also good, because you can use the handles to tie ribbons on to.

Choose the size of the basket to be the right size to hold all the gifts you want to put inside. Remember that artists paper can be quite big. You might want to consider putting a pad of paper UNDER the basket, as a sort of base, but include it within the cellophane wrapping.

PREPARATION ITEMS

Before an artist begins to sculpt, paint or mold an item, he or she will do some preparatory drawings. Add pencils in various hardness, erasers, a putty eraser and some notebooks to the basket. Also add some thin felt tip pens in different colors that can be taken out and about for on-the-spot sketching.

FIELD TRIPS

Those little watercolor sets that you can take out with you are always useful. Try to find one that has a little water bottle included.

PENS

An artist can never have too many pens. Choose all types, colors and sizes. Choose watercolor pencils, crayons, pastels, felt-tips, calligraphy pens, feathers and brush nibs. Anything you see will be very much welcomed and used.

PAINTS

Find out which kind of paint your friend uses. If you buy the wrong kind, they won't use it and it will be a waste of money.

BRUSHES

Brushes are constantly used and in need of replacement. Again, buy the best you can afford. One or two really good brushes will be better than a whole set of poorer quality ones. If you find some unusual brushes, these are often welcome.

BOOKS

An artist will love all sorts of books for inspiration. These don't have to be by or about other artists. They might like a book about landscapes in other countries, for example anything with lots of pictures!

MODELLING

Ceramicists and sculptors use a lot of clay for making up maquettes as well as making their final pieces. They will often sit and work with a small piece of clay in the same way as a 2D artist will sit and sketch. Add in some modeling clay to your basket.

PAPER

Add in all sorts of paper in all colors and weights. Even small notebooks are good as they can be taken out on day trips.

MAGAZINES

A copy of the latest magazine will be appreciated.

ENTRY TO AN EXHIBITION

Find out if there is an exhibition coming up that your friend would like to visit and buy a ticket. IF they don't sell tickets in advance, write out a note with I promise to take you to the XXX exhibition next month' written on it.

FINISHING

Wrap your basket in cellophane and tie with a big bow.

Learn more about this author, Susan Hibberd.
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