Gift Guide For Potters and Ceramic Artists 2023-2024

New and updated for 2023!

The Speedball Boss Base is a new centering and opening tool for the pottery wheel, which was released in early 2023. Shop at Amazon

This 2023-24 gift guide has more than 30 ideas of gifts for potters, ceramic artists, or anyone who works with clay. Most of these suggestions are priced between $15 and $100, along with a few higher-priced items. The guide includes loose guidelines recommending certain tools, for beginners, intermediate, advanced, or everyone.

Note: This site uses affiliate links for sites such as Amazon and Blick. If you click the links and complete a purchase, we may receive a percentage at no extra cost to you.

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The Claypron is a split-leg potter’s apron available in a variety of colors.

The Claypron

An apron is very useful when working with clay and one of the most popular pottery aprons is The Claypron. Designed for working at the potter’s wheel, it features a split, overlapping leg with ties at the neck and waist. Available in a variety of colors, it is made with high-quality, machine-washable cotton.

Recommended for: everyone
Cost: $40

For more apron recommendations, check out our complete guide to pottery aprons.

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Soolla Studio Bag

The Soolla Studio Bag is a canvas art tote that comes in a wide variety of mostly solid colors and a few patterns, and is washable. Well thought out, it has 30+ pockets for small tools and a large central opening, along with padded handles. This is an awesome bag from a small company, that would make a great gift for any potter. The bag typically retails for $59 but can often be found for less.

Recommended for: everyone
Cost: $59

Soolla Bag in green.

Soolla Bag in 80s Windbreker pattern.

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Potter’s Skin Butter

Made by a potter for potters, this Skin Butter is a great gift and is available in four scents including Tangerine, Lavender, Mint, and Unscented. A 4 ounce jar is $20 and a pump bottle is $26.

Recommended for: everyone
Cost: $20–$26

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By My Hands: A Potter’s Apprenticeship
by Florian Gadsby

Published in Fall 2023, By My Hands details the apprenticeship and journey of British potter Florian Gadsby, who makes beautiful pots and is one of the most popular potters on YouTube, Instagram, and other social media sites.

The hardcover edition features numerous color images throughout the 400 page volume.

Recommended for: everyone
Cost: $35

For more recently published books, check out our complete guide to 2023 ceramics and pottery books.

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Multi-Function Titanium-Fused PRO Trimming Tool by Xiem Tools

Xiem makes a lot of great tools, but their Multi-Function Pro Trimming Tools are really wonderful, with a long-lasting titanium-fused metal blade, comfortable wooden handle, and most of all, a distinctive and functional shape. In a test of loop tools earlier this year, these were some of our favorites and they continue to impress in the studio. These are available individually or set of three. If getting just one, choose the middle size, #05.

Recommended for: intermediate to advanced
Cost:
$17-19 each
$52 for set of three

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Speedball Boss Base pottery tool

There have been DIY versions of this for years, but in early 2023 Speedball released this tool for evenly opening clay on the pottery wheel. It features two handles and a slightly higher center pole, which leaves an even 3/8” base on pots. It’s a bit limited as some may want a thicker base for trimming a foot, but for anyone who struggles with opening, this ergonomic tool is very handy and available in 4 colors. (If you wanted to leave more clay at the base, you can also cut the center pole shorter so might be worth getting 2 of these!)

Recommended for: Potters
Cost: $30 each

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Weleda Skin Food

Weleda Skin Food in its distinctive green tube.

There are lots of great everyday creams, such as O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Cream (shop at Amazon), but a real upgrade is Weleda Skin Food. It’s a rich, luxurious cream that will help protect hands during a long studio session or at home. This extra thick cream smells great, melds into your skin quickly, and the squeeze tube makes it easy to use at home or studio. The “original” comes in a 2.5 ounce squeeze tube and Skin Food Body Butter is available in a 5 ounce glass jar.

Recommended for: everyone
Cost: $15

For more on hand creams, visit our complete guide to creams and lotions for the pottery studio.

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Double Ended Clay Modeling Tool

The line of Colour Shaper double-ended modeling tools from Royal Sovereign.

The Colour Shaper line of tools from Royal Sovereign is a great addition to anyone’s tool kit. Each tool features a high-quality rubber modeling tool, with a corresponding metal loop tool on the other side. Available in a variety of sizes and with a pointed or chisel rubber tip, these are especially useful for sculptors and hand builders but have their place in a potter’s tool kit as well. If getting just one, check out the size 6 tool with a chisel tip, which usually retails for $12-13.

Recommended for: Everyone
Cost: $12-13

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Handbuilt: A Modern Potter’s Guide to Handbuilding with CLay by Lily Maetzig

Lilly Maetzig is a potter who has built a strong following online for instructional videos (search for Mae Ceramics) and in 2023 released this book, which introduces more than 20 projects that you can do without a wheel including a pedestal bowl, pinched teapot, and nesting plates.

Recommended for: beginners to intermediate
Cost: $24

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Tool Kits

A packaged tool kit can be a great way for a beginner to get going, or for an experienced potter to replenish their tool supply. There are a few options:

Mudtool Essentials Starter Kit

The Mudtools Essentials Starter Kit includes 9 tools and a storage tube.

This kit from MudTools includes three flexible polymer ribs, the Mudshark cutting tool, a cut-off wire with rounded handles, a long plastic scraper/rib, a sponge, the MudTools all-in-one trimming tool, and the MudTools shredder.

Recommended for: everyone
Cost: $80-$95.

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Xiem Tool Kits

The Xiem 10 piece beginner’s pottery kit.

Xiem Tools makes two tool kits with some of their best and most popular pottery tools.

The 10 Piece Beginners Pottery Kit actually contains 9 tools (unless you count the tube it comes in as a tool!) including a Foot Shaper, Needle Tool, Heavy Duty Clay Sponge, 11" Pro Wire Clay Cutter, 2 Titanium Fused Trimming Tools, Soft Silicone Clay Rib, Rigid Plastic Clay Rib, and Flexible Stainless Steel Rib.

Recommended for: Beginners / Intermediate
Cost: $60

The Xiem 14 piece Pottery Essentials tool kit.

The 14 piece Essentials Kit (13 tools plus the tube) has the same tools as the Beginners set with the addition of an extra rib, another loop tool, a metal clay knife, and the extendable Xiem pottery sponge.

Recommended for: Intermediate / advanced
Cost: $95.

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Tote Bags

Tote and organizer bags also make a great gift for potters and ceramic artists, especially those that work in shared studios and have to pack up their tools after working. Here are a few options, in addition to the Soolla Bag mentioned above:

JJRing Craft and Art Organizer Tote Bag

The JJRing Tote Bag

The JJRing Craft and Art Organizer Tote Bag comes in a variety of colors and has numerous pockets to keep everything in its place. Made of nylon with cardboard supports, this bag is available in a variety of colors.

Recommended for: Everyone
Cost: $15.99

Xiem Artist’s Tool Bag

This deluxe bag features a metal frame, canvas pockets, and a wooden handle. This bag will definitely hold everything you need and more.

Recommended for: Everyone
Cost: $35–54.95 (At time of writing, was cheapest at Blick)

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Carve Your Clay: Techniques to Bring the Ceramic Surface to Life by Hilda Carr

This book was published in 2020 but has been a steady favorite since. With ideas for surface decoration including carving, inlay, scraffito, wire cutting and more it has easy-to-follow instructions and great illustrations. Based on Hilda Carr’s signature style but with variations and ideas for every potter, the book is available in hardcover or paperback. (See below for a fluting tool that makes a great pair with this book.)

Recommended for: Everyone
Cost: $19 paperback, $25 hardcover

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Xiem Fluting Tool

The Xiem Fluting Tool comes with 3 sizes of blades and an ergonomic handle.

Pair this fluting tool with the book Carve Your Clay and you will have an awesome gift for any potter. The tool comes with 3 blades and an ergonomic handle. Replacement blades are available as well, making this a well thought out and long-lasting tool.

Recommended for: Everyone
Cost: $18

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Pottery T-Shirts at Society6, Redbubble, Threadless, and more

Evolution of Pottery T-Shirt at Society6

There’s a lot of fun t-shirts with pottery and kiln themes available from print-on-demand sites. Most of these sites also pay a portion of the sale price to the artists and designers, so not only are you getting a cool gift, but you’re supporting other artists and designers too. If you see a pattern or design you like, make sure to click around — designs are usually available on multiple products so you can find the right gift.

Pictured here a few shirt ideas with links, or check out our post about pottery shirts.

Recommended for: Everyone
Cost: typically $18-30 each depending on options and styles.

Ceramics Joe by D. Goode Art at Threadless

Kintsugi Broken Heart T shirt at Society6

Electric Kiln outline design at Threadless

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Mastering Ceramics Series

The Mastering Ceramics books are great for beginners and intermediate pottery students. The thorough, straightforward advice covers a variety of techniques in an easy-to-approach style. All three books are a great addition to any potter’s bookshelf.

The books usually cost $18-25 each.

Mastering the Potter’s Wheel by Ben Carter, published 2016

Shop at Amazon | Shop at Blick | Shop at Bookshop.org

Mastering Hand Building by Sunshine Cobb, published 2018

Shop at Amazon | Shop at Blick | Shop at Bookshop.org

Mastering Kilns and Firing by Lindsay Oesterritter, published 2019

Shop at Amazon | Shop at Bookshop.org

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Wagner HVLP Spray Gun

A High Velocity Low Pressure (HVLP) spray gun just needs a power outlet to instantly get any potter spraying glaze. With a built-in fan, nozzle, and cup for glazes, it’s a quick and affordable way to spray glaze. Wagner makes a straightforward, dependable HVLP that worked great in our recent test of spray guns. The best part is the smaller, cheaper models seem to be best suited for spraying glaze.

Safety Note: Spraying glaze should only down with proper respirator masks and excellent ventilation, or outside.

Recommended for: Advanced
Cost: $55 for basic model, $85 for slightly bigger spray gun

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The Mudtools double-ended trimming tool.

MudTools Double Ended Trimming Tool

This steel trimming tool from MudTools is a great studio tool, allowing potters to trim in a flat plan or in a curve. It’s a toolbox essential tand is also available as part of the MudTools kit, mentioned at the top of the post.

Recommended for: Intermediate / Advanced
Cost: $27

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Wooden Clay Mallet

This handmade wooden clay mallet, by CompanionWorks of Brooklyn, NY, is well proportioned, comfortable, and beautiful. With a maple mallet and poplar handle, it will only get more beautiful with use. It is great for flattening slabs or for working with large vessels on the wheel. Also check out their beautiful clay anvils for making bowls from slabs. The anvils are available in widths of 3” and 6”.

Recommended for: Intermediate / Advanced
Cost: $40 for mallet or $50 for large anvil.

The CompanionWorks clay mallet (top) and clay anvil are beautiful and functional handmade tools.

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Underglaze Sampler Packs

The Speedball Underglaze Sampler Pack

Underglazes are studio favorites and are great way to get vibrant, saturated colors on ceramics. They can be applied by brush, sponge, or spraying. Sample packs are a great way to find the underglaze colors that work best, and are available from a variety of manufacturers.

The Speedball sampler pack includes 12 colors in 2 oz bottles, $45.

AMACO Velvet Underglazes are available in 4 different sampler sets of 2 oz jars for $52 each. Shop at Blick

Mayco has a 10 pack underglaze sampler for around $40. Shop at Amazon

Sax True Flow Underglaze has a 12 pack sampler set for around $43. Shop at Amazon

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Creative Pottery: Innovative Techniques and Experimental Designs by Deb Schwartzkopf

Whether you are a handbuilder or work on the wheel, this book from 2020 is a guide to taking your ceramics to the next level. Add complexity to your projects with simple changes, learn how to make bisque molds, or choose from other projects in this self guided book from potter Deb Schwartzkopf, founder of Rat City and Rain City studios in Seattle.

Recommended for: all levels
Cost: $27

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3M Respirator

3M half facepiece respirator with P100 filters.

A quality dust mask is a must have for anyone who mixes glazes from scratch, makes their own clay, or works with plaster. The best option is a 3M respirator. A basic model is about $15 plus the filters, but for a few dollars more you can get the “rugged comfort” mask which has a more comfortable liner and a few extra features. Pair it with P100 filters or P100 cartridges, and you’ve got high quality protection against silica and other airborne particulates.

For more, visit our complete guide to dust masks.

3M Respirator, $23-$40 depending on model

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Nidec-Shimpo Banding Wheels

The Shimpo 8 3/4” x 2 1/2” tall banding wheel is one of five options from Shimpo.

Banding wheels are very useful for coil building, sculpting, and decorating. Nidec-Shimpo Banding Wheels are the best on the market, made of cast iron with sealed bearings. They are on the heavy side, but this added weight gives the wheels a smooth, even spin. Shimpo banding wheels come in five different sizes ranging from $61 to about $130. The 8 3/4” wide x 2 1/2” tall model ($73) is an all-purpose size that should work for most studios. For more info, read our complete review of banding wheels.

Recommended for: intermediate / advanced
Cost: $61 to $130

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Stadea Adjustable Diamond Hand Pad Set

The Stadea adjustable diamond hand pad system.

Stadea is a go-to brand for quality diamond sanding tools, and this new option is great for potters! It features a 5 inch long foam pad with velcro and 6 different diamond pads, ranging from 50 grit to 1500 grit. It’s perfect for light-duty cleanup such as smoothing the bottom of pots and sculptures. And the adjustable pads means you just have to store one foam block, not six, so it can save space too.

Recommended for: everyone
Cost: $47

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Nidec-Shimpo Potter’s Stool

Nidec-Shimpo Potter’s Stool

Another great gift idea from Nidec-Shimpo is the Shimpo Potter’s Stool. It’s the most versatile, comfortable, and functional pottery stool on the market. It has four adjustable legs with nine slots on each leg with a range of 19 to 26 inches high. The legs can be adjusted independently, allowing for the stool to be set at an angle if desired. It also has a comfortable, padded seat. It’s a great upgrade for any potter.

Recommended for: Anyone who owns a wheel
Cost: $99

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Sony Portable Bluetooth Boombox

The Sony Bluetooth Boombox

This little Sony unit is a great for studios. It can stream via bluetooth, or use the digital tuner to pick up just about any AM/FM station in your area. While it doesn’t have audiophile quality, the sound is decent and for me personally, I just like having the option of listening to the radio without fussing with my phone. It seems to be the best, most functional option for a Bluetooth boombox that is priced under $100.

Recommended for: Someone who wants FM and Bluetooth
Cost: $100

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Mudtools Rib Set

Mudtools Ribs, some sets of six available at Amazon or buy them individually.

Mudtools ribs are used and loved by many potters. There are four different firmness levels, and each level has six different shapes. There are sets of all 6 on Amazon, or head over to Blick to pick out individual ribs.

Mudtools ribs:
Red — very soft
Yellow — soft
Green — medium
Blue — firm

Mudtools Rib Set, $51 for six ribs at Amazon, or individual ribs at Blick, $9 each.

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Milwaukee M12 Cordless Drill

The Milwaukee M12 Drill Kit comes with a drill, one battery, charging station, and a bag.

The Milwaukee M12 compact cordless drill is a studio favorite. It’s strong enough for most jobs, but small and light so that it’s comfortable for just about any user. Paired with the right mixer blade, this is an ideal drill for mixing glazes, plaster, or other tasks in a ceramics studio. Milwaukee also makes a wide variety of tools that fit the M12 battery. Click here to read a full guide to cordless drills.

Recommended for: Potters with their own studios
Cost: $125-$140

Recommended drill accessories for ceramics:

Jiffy LM Laboratory mixer for mixing small glaze cups.

Plastic helix mixer for mixing 1-2 gallon glaze buckets.

Jiffy ES Mixer for mixing 2 to 5 gallon bucket.

Dewalt 14 piece bit set for drilling holes and the Dewalt 45 piece screwdriver set.

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My Weigh iBalance 5500 Scale

My Weigh iBalance 5500 scale has a 5500 gram / 12 lb capacity and is accurate to 0.1 grams.

The MyWeigh iBalance 5500 is a precision scale that is accurate to 0.1 grams while maintaining a large capacity of 5500 grams or about 12 pounds. It has a stainless steel top, optional AC power adapter, simple and intuitive buttons, and a 3 year warranty. The four feet can be independently leveled too. It’s one of the best options on the market and is a great gift for the potter who also mixes their own glaze.

Recommended for: Anyone who mixes glazes
Cost: $249

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Giffin Grip trimming tool

The Giffin Grip in use, holding a pot in place for trimming.

The Giffin Grip is a trimming tool that attaches to any pottery wheelhead, and various arms allow you to easily hold vases and pots in place for trimming. It sure beats trying to attach pots using small bits of a clay. It’s not cheap—typically around $270—but it lasts for ever and once a potter has one, they’ll use it all the time.

Recommended for: intermediate / advanced
Cost: $270

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Speedball Artista Tabletop Wheel

The Speedball Artista Tabletop Wheel

The Speedball Artista is a great tabletop wheel that is strong enough for most potters but is also portable and can be stored with ease. It’s the perfect option for an at-home practice wheel or for someone looking to try out pottery with a professional machine. It has an 11” wheelhead, a 1/3 horsepower motor, is compatible with standard 10” bats, and weighs just 26 pounds, so it can easily be put away when not in use. You can also add an optional foot pedal or legs. For a complete overview, check out our guide to tabletop wheels.

Recommended for: everyone
Cost: $549

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North Star Portaroller

The North Star Portaroller is a great tool that can instantly upgrade any studio. Designed for artists who are on the go, it’s also ideal for small or home studios because it quickly breaks down into three pieces that can be stored when not in use. The Portaroller has two metal rollers, a crank, and two tabletop pieces that fit on either side of the roller. The top roller can be adjusted for slab thicknesses up to 2.5 inches and it can make slabs that are 16 inches wide. It’s a well thought out piece of equipment that is backed by North Star’s impeccable record of quality. There’s also a larger model in the same style, the North Star Polaris, that can make slabs up to 22 inches wide.

For a complete guide to portable rollers, click here.

North Star Portaroller, 16” wide slabs, $750
North Star Polaris, 22” wide slabs, $1,000

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Full Size Pottery Wheels

A professionally quality pottery wheel starts around $800 and ranges up to around $1,500 to $2,000. Most potters use a wheel in the $800 to $1,500 range from quality brands such as Nidec-Shimpo, Brent, or Speedball. We’ve got a complete pottery wheel buyer’s guide here, but just know that as the price goes up you are paying for a stronger motor, a sturdier tabletop and legs, and a few other features.

Here’s a quick overview of a few wheels that would be great gifts.

Nidec-Shimpo Wheels

Nidec makes three full size wheels:

Shimpo VL-Lite

Shimpo RK-Whisper

Shimpo VL-Whisper

VL-Lite is a motor-driven model that retails for $858

RK-Whisper has the classic Shimpo metal body and fixed foot pedal, 12” wheelhead, and the ultra-quiet magnet driven wheelhead. It retails for $1,310

VL-Whisper is many potter’s favorite with a 14” wheelhead, the same ultra-quiet magnet drive as the RK, and a moveable foot pedal. It retails for $1,532

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Brent Pottery Wheels

Brent Model B.

Brent wheels are workhorses and come in a few models where everything is the same, except the motor. Some models are also available in black in addition to the distinctive “Brent yellow.” The most popular Brent models are the Brent B with a 1/3 horsepower motor, or the Brent C, with a 1/2 horsepower motor.

Brent Model B, 1/3 HP motor, $1,898
Brent Model C, 1/2 HP motor, $1,943

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Speedball Wheels

Speedball Clay Boss Wheel

In addition to the tabletop model mentioned above, Speedball makes two full sized wheels. The Clay Boss has a 1/2 HP motor with a 14” wheelhead. It’s reversible, but only via a plug and not a switch. The Big Boss has similar features except it comes with a 1 HP motor.

Speedball Clay Boss 1/2 HP wheel, $1,038
Speedball Big Boss 1 HP wheel, $1,271

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Other Gift Ideas

Kilns: Read our guide to Skutt kilns here.

Tools: We’ve got a lot more ideas in our tool guides such as:

Scales for glaze mixing

Accessories for glaze mixing

Tools that can be used in the kitchen or the studio.

Classes: A set of classes at your local ceramics studio can be a great gift. If you can’t find a studio, ask a local clay supplier if they can recommend local studios.

Magazine Subscriptions: Magazines are great sources of ideas and inspiration. Check out The Studio Potter, Pottery Making Illustrated, or Ceramics Monthly.

Tours, Trips, or Conferences: Look for pottery-specific travel tours, retreats, or conferences.

What ideas do you have for pottery gifts? Let us know in the comments.

Gift Guides

Posts that may interest you:

Gift Guide for Young Artist and Creative Kids

Gift Guide for Artists Who Paint and Draw

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The 14 Best New Pottery and Ceramics Books of 2023

Lots of great new titles focusing on pottery and ceramics were published in 2023 and late 2022. Our top picks are below, including a mix of technique and art history books.

For more books, check out these posts from last year:

Best Pottery Technique Books 2022

Best Ceramic History Books and Monographs 2022

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By My Hands: A Potter’s Apprenticeship by Florian Gadsby

Florian Gadsby has been documenting his ceramic journey since his student days via Instagram, YouTube and other social media sites. A dynamic, exacting potter and engaging instructor via his videos, in By My Hands Gadsby shares a behind-the-scenes look at his journey in his first book.

Hardcover, 400 pages, published Fall 2023 by Ten Speed Press, $35

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Handbuilt: A Modern Potter’s Guide by Lilly Maetzig

Lilly Maetzig is a potter who has built a strong following online for instructional videos (search for Mae Ceramics) and in her first book, introduces more than 20 projects that you can do without a wheel including a pedestal bowl, pinched teapot, and nest plates.

Hardcover, 176 pages, published spring 2023 by Quadrille Publishing, $24

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Form and Surface: African Ceramics from the William M. Itter Collection by Diane Pelrine

This book celebrates the African ceramics held in the collection of the Sidney and Lois Eskinazi Museum of Art at the University of Indiana.

Hardcover, 192 pages, published Fall 2023 by Scala Arts Publishers, $50

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Ceramic Artist on Creative Processes by Miguel Ángel Pérez Arteaga

In this book, 25 ceramic artists from around the world describe their art making methodology and practice in their own words. Richly illustrated, it offers a deep insight into the minds of professional artists.

Hardcover, 304 pages, published Fall 2023 by Hoaki, $40

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Lucie Rie: The Adventure of Pottery by Andrew Nairne

Published to coincide with a UK exhibition of Rie’s work, this catalogue includes five new essays examining Rie’s work and career and includes more than 150 images in full color.

Hardcover, 240 pages, published September 2023 by Kettle’s Yard, $45

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Beginner’s Guide to Decorating Pottery by Emily Reinhardt

A thorough guide for beginners, this book covers glazes, inlay and surface decoration, lusters, patterns and mark making, and more in an easy-to-follow format. Part of a series of beginner’s guides to ceramics.

Paperback, 160 pages, published September 2023 by The Quarry Books, $25

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Kate Malone: A Life in Clay by Emma Crichton-Miller

One of the UK’s leading ceramic artists, this monograph examines the work and career of Kate Malone, born 1959. With essays, color photographs and more, this book will be sure to delight fans of Malone’s work and others, who may have seen Malone as a judge on the Great Pottery Throwdown.

Hardcover, 252 pages, published by Skira, December 2023, $60.

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Colors of Kyoto: The Seifū Yohei Ceramic Studio by Shinya Maezaki

This book takes a deep and comprehensive look, for the first time in English, at the Kyoto studio of Seifū Yohei, who was the first ceramist to be named an Imperial Household Artist. The book includes essays and images of 100 artworks, as well as discussion of technique, forms, and glazes that were unique to the studio.

Paperback, 216 pages, published September 2023 by Giles, $30

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Promise Me The Earth by Kristin Morgin

This monograph examines Los Angeles artist Kristin Morgin who makes unfired sculptures from a mixture of clay, glue, wood and other materials. Known for her wit, craftsmanship, and ability to twist pop art to her own ends, this book includes a lengthy interview with the artist as well as numerous illustrations. Each copy is signed by the artist and includes a small drawing.

Hardcover, 120 pages, published Marc Selwyn FIne Art, late 2022, $60.

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Earth & Fire: Modern Ceramicists, Their Tools, Techniques, and Practice by Kylie Johnson and Tiffany Johnson

Earth & Fire explores the techniques and practices of 45 ceramic artists, ranging from potters to sculptors to jewelers and more. The book includes more than 300 color photos and illustrations, illuminating a wide variety of ceramic techniques.

Hardcover, 272 pages, published by Thames and Hudson, September 2023, $50

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Ash Glazes: Techniques and Glazing from Natural Sources by Phil Rogers and Hajeong Lee Rogers

Updated and edited by Hajeong Lee Rogers, this classic by Phil Rogers explores the history of ash glazes, how to test and mix the, and how to apply them to get the best results. With images of potters who use ash glazes from around the world, this new edition provides inspiration for ceramic artists interested in exploring and reinventing this age-old tradition.

Hardcover, 192 pages, published October 2023 by Herbert Press, $40

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Nina Fránková: Hollow by Nina Fránková

The first monograph on the Czech artist, who was born in 1987, the book includes numerous images and five essays.

Paperback, 160 pages, published fall 2023 by Onomatopee Projects, $18

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Ceramics in America 2023 edited by Robert Hunter

The latest edition of the yearly journal, the 2023 edition includes essays on backwoods North Carolina potter John Wesley Carpenter, contemporary artist David Mack, a snuff box made in London in the 18th century from American clay, and more. Richly illustrated throughout.

Hardcover, 240 pages, published Fall 2023 by the Chipstone Foundation, $65

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Roger Capron: Céramiste by Pierre Staudenmeyer

(Book is in French) A vastly expanded reprint of a 2003 monograph that examines the life and career of French ceramic sculptor and ceramic manufacturer Roger Capron, 1922–2006. This richly illustrated edition includes text by Pierre Staudenmeyer and an interview between Capron’s wife Jacotte Capron and Flavien Gaillard.

Hardcover, 208 pages, published October 2023 by Editions Norma, $60 (French language edition)

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Are there any recently published ceramic books that we missed? Let us know in the comments.

For more books, check out these posts from last year:

Best Pottery Technique Books 2022

Best Ceramic History Books and Monographs 2022

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The 14 Best New Pottery and Ceramics Technique Books of 2022

There’s a lot of info out there on how to grow and improve in ceramics and pottery, but sometimes the best resource for learning new techniques is a well put-together book.

Here’s a round up of some of the best books published in 2021 and 2022 (and a few favorites from 2020 as well).

Boy in a China Shop by Keith Brymer Jones will be published in fall 2022. (shop at Amazon)

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Creative Pottery: Innovative Techniques and Experimental Designs in Thrown and Handbuilt Ceramics by Deb Schwartzkopf

Whether you are a handbuilder or work on the wheel, this book is a guide to taking your ceramics to the next level. Add complexity to your projects with simple changes, learn how to make bisque molds, or choose from other projects in this self guided book from potter Deb Schwartzkopf, founder of Rat City and Rain City studios in Seattle.

Hardcover, 192 pages, published June 2020 by Quarry Books, $30

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Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay: A Guide to Capturing the Human Form for Ceramic Artists by Christina Córdova

This richly illustrated guidebook will take you through the steps needed to sculpt a figure in clay starting with sketches, various techniques to build a hollow form that can make it through a firing, and then patterns and instructions to make larger forms. Written by acclaimed sculptor Christina Córdova.

Hardcover, 192 pages, published June 2022 by Quarry Books, $35

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Carve Your Clay: Techniques to Bring the Ceramic Surface to Life by Hilda Carr

This popular book covers a variety of carving techniques including scraffito, etching, inlay, wire cutting, and more with more than 20 inspiring projects. With step-by-step instructions, this is a great technique book from the London-based studio potter, Hilda Carr.

Hardcover, 144 pages, published August 2020 by Quarry Books, $27

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Pottery for Beginners: Projects for Beautiful Ceramic Bowls, Mugs, Vases, and More by Kara Leigh Ford

Aimed at beginners, this book covers handbuilding and wheel throwing, as well as how to set up a workspace. Filled with projects, tips, and ideas, this book is the perfect guide for anyone who wants to get started with clay.

Paperback, 192 pages, published October 2021 by Page Street Publishing, $23

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Boy in a China Shop: Life, Clay and Everything by Keith Brymer Jones

Fans of The Great Pottery Throwdown and potters will love this book by Brymer Jones, judge on the popular BBC series. In a series of chapters inspired by significant objects (usually pots), Brymer shares stories and insights from his life and work.

Hardcover, 352 pages, published October 2022 by Hodder & Stoughton, $29

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Contemporary Raku by Stephen Murfitt

This new publication is a complete guide to raku firings and techniques, as well as sources of inspiration. It’s got information on tools and equipment, health and safety measures, and more. The book is by Stephen Murfitt, a British studio potter who also wrote The Glaze Book, from 2002.

Paperback, 176 pages, published September 2022 by The Crowood Press, $43

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The Beginner's Guide to Hand Building: Functional and Sculptural Projects for the Home Potter by Sunshine Cobb

For those who might just have access to a table at home, this is the book for you. Written by Sunshine Cobb (who also wrote 2018’s Mastering Hand Building) this book is focused on projects that can be made just about anywhere, whether it’s a kitchen table or studio. With a focus on skill building, this book covers projects ranging from a scoop to a citrus juicer to small animals and sculptures.

Hardcover, 176 pages, published by Quarry Books, October 2022, $25.

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Wild Clay: Creating Ceramics and Clazes from Natural and Found Resources by Matt Levy, Takuro Shibata, and Hitomi Shibata

Finding your own clay—especially for use as a glaze material or to augment a commercial clay body—is increasingly popular and this book is a guide to finding, testing, and using wild clay.

Hardcover, 176 pages, published October 2022 by Herbert Press, $40

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Amazing Glaze: Recipes and Combinations: 200+ Surefire Finishes for Low-Fire, Mid-Range, and High-Fire Pottery by Gabriel Kline

A follow-up / companion to Kline’s 2018 book Amazing Glaze, this volume delves into more glaze recipes, combinations, and modifiers with recipes and images for all firing temperatures and styles. A great addition to your glaze library, and based on Kline’s decades of experience as a potter and instructor.

Hardcover, 176 pages, published August 2021 by Quarry Books, $30

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The Ceramics Bible Revised Edition by Louisa Taylor

First published in 2011, this revised edition of The Ceramics Bible includes new techniques, images, artist profiles, and more. This book has become a studio standard and the revised edition only makes it better. Written by Louisa Taylor, a British studio potter.

Hardcover, 176 pages, published by Chronicle Books, January 2022, $45

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Ceramics Masterclass: Creative Techniques of 100 Great Artists by Louisa Taylor

Also by Louisa Taylor, author of The Ceramics Bible, this 2020 book explores 100 works of ceramic art and discusses techniques, methods, and concepts behind the works. Presented as a two-page spread per artwork, this is a great book for experienced makers who enjoy a deeper look at ceramics.

Hardcover or Flexbound, 288 pages, published August 2020 by Frances Lincoln, $30

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Pinch Your Pottery: The Art & Craft of Making Pinch Pots by Jacqui Atkin

A seemingly simple clay technique, pinching can be used to make just about any form. Starting with basics, this book has 35 project ideas for taking pinched clay to the next level. Written by Jacqui Atkin, a British potter who has written numerous books on ceramic techniques.

Hardcover, 176 pages, published June 2021 by Quarry Books, $25

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Kintsugi: The Poetic Mend by Bonnie Kemske

This is not exactly a technique book, but instead is history and meditation on the Japanese technique of repairing broken vessels and highlighting the repairs with gold. The book explains kintsugi, gives current and historical examples, and examines how the technique developed. Full of images and illustrations, this is a beautiful examination of kintsugi.

Hardcover, 176 pages, published April 2021 by Herbert Press, $38

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The Beginner's Guide to Wheel Throwing: A Complete Course for the Potter's Wheel by Julia Claire Weber

An introductory guide for those looking to start on the potter’s wheel, The Beginner’s Guide to Wheel Throwing covers bowls, cups, clay bodies, tools, and everything else needed to get started on the pottery wheel. Focused on skill building while introducing tips and tricks, the book also has a gallery of examples by contemporary potters. Written by Julia Claire Weber, a potter based in Asheville, North Carolina.

Hardcover, 144 pages, published December 2021 by Quarry Press, $27

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Are there any recently published ceramic technique books that you use? Let us know in the comments.

Best Pottery and Ceramic T-Shirts

A pottery t-shirt can be a fun way to show your love for ceramics and also makes a great gift for potters and artists. And these days, there’s a lot of custom t-shirts available at print-on-demand websites where the shirt designer also gets a small cut of the sale price. It’s a great way to support a fellow artist or designer, and to get a fun shirt.

If you’ve never ordered from a print-on-demand site, it’s easy. Simply choose your size and style, and sometimes you are able to also choose what color of shirt to print on. Some sites will have the design available on a wide variety of other products too. After placing your order, your item will be printed and shipped within a few days. There a lots of sites like this, including Society6, RedBubble, Threadless, and more.

Here are a few of our favorite shirts.

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DGoode on Threadless

Ceramics Joe t-shirt, inspired by the GI Joe logo, by Dgoode and available on Threadless.

This Reese’s Pieces inspired shirt by DGoode is available on Threadless.

Pottery Wheels T-shirt inspired by Hot Wheels by Dgoode on Threadless

Artist and designed Delvin Goode has more than 20 ceramics, pottery, and art studio-inspired t-shirts listed on Threadless at the D. Goode Artist Shop. Many of the shirts are remixes of other brand logos, such as the three pictured above. All the shirts are super fun.

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Not your typical “kiln it” joke with this one, which has a great design and killer kiln room style. By SandboxShirts and available at etsy.

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Evolution of Pottery T-Shirt

Pottery is the natural end result of pottery, right? This shirt is by the designer Maroon Boy and available on Society6.

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Retro 70s-Style Pottery T-Shirt

This bold design from Maroon Boy on Society6 says it all.

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AmacoBrent has a bunch of designs in their Redbubble shop, including this classic Brent logo, a multicolor 50th Anniversary of Brent design, and more. Check it out at Redbubble.

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Pottery Things T-Shirt

Kilns, throwing, ribs, tools… the Pottery Things T-shirt by Teequeque has it all. It’s available on Redbubble.

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Pottery Cat T-Shirt

The Pottery Cat T-shirt by Carol Epp is one of a few pottery designs listed in their Threadless store.

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Totally Kiln It

Kiln jokes never get old and you know what, you are totally kiln it! Shop this shirt by EstelleStarsShop at Society6.

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Seth Rogen Ghost Pottery Scene

Get the full Seth Rogen pottery experience with this shirt, combining pottery’s newest all star and the classic pottery scene from Ghost, except that Rogen is both Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze! Shop this design by kylemacmac at redbubble.

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Ceramic Shirts

Rocking Pot shirt, a drawing of the classic Peter Voulkos sculpture.

“POTTERY” in a classic college font.

Flaming Potter shirt, just like the Thrasher Magazine logo.

Ceramic Shirts has more than 25 pottery and ceramic-inspired shirts on Threadless including a basic Pottery shirt in a college font, a shirt featuring the Peter Voulkos sculpture Rocking Pot, and even a flaming Potter design like the Thrasher Magazine logo. Lots of fun stuff at Threadless.

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This block letter KILN design has a retro vibe but feels just right. Available at Redbubble.

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This skeleton potter will never stop! Designed by Funny Clay Potterer and available at Amazon Merch on Demand.

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Nidec, the parent company of Shimpo, keeps trying to drop the Shimpo name from its products. Never! A shimpo wheel will always be a Shimpo. But Nidec does have a cool log.

Do you have a favorite pottery t-shirt? We are always looking for more fun designs. Let us know in the comments.

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Gift Guide for Artists who Paint and Draw

This guide has more than 30 ideas for artists who paint, draw, and create. Most suggestions are priced between $25 and $100, along with a few higher ticket items. There are plenty of ideas for the painter or artist in your life, or perhaps you’ll find a gift for yourself. In general, this guide focuses on high-quality art supplies, equipment, and books.

Note: This site uses affiliate links for sites such as Amazon and Blick. If you click the links and complete a purchase, we may receive a percentage at no extra cost to you.

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Blick Noir French Easel

The Blick Noir French Easel.

Perfect for in the studio or on the go, this black French-style wooden easel from Blick is stylish, functional, and a great deal. The easel combines a sketchbox, easel, and canvas carrier into one unit. Folded, it measures a compact 22 x 16 x 6.5 inches, and it can extend up to 73” tall and accommodate canvases up to 34” tall. It weighs about 10 lbs. This is a great easel for someone setting up an at-home studio and can be carried or folded down for painting in plein air. It retails for around $100.

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Golden A-Z Acrylic Explorers Kit

The Golden A-Z Acrylic Explorer Kit.

This popular set introduces artists to a variety of products Golden Acrylics—the company bills it as a workshop in a box and it basically is. It includes heavy body (i.e. thick) acrylics, fluid acrylics, high flow acrylics as well as pastes, gels and mediums. It’s a great intro to Golden’s high quality product line, and can really expand an artist’s skill set. The kit retails for around $28 and includes 4 tubes of paint, 5 small bottles of paint, 4 tubes of different mediums and a bottle of clear painting medium.

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Aquabee Super Deluxe Sketchbook

The Aquabee Super Deluxe Sketchbook.

The Aquabee Super Deluxe Sketchbook from Bee Paper is a favorite mixed media pad that came out on top in our recent review of mixed media pads. It can do everything from light watercolor to ink to marker, colored pencil, and anything else. The sketchbooks are available in a variety of sizes (9x12” is a great option) and has a stiff cardboard back and a leatherette cover with a wire binding for easy turning of pages. The 93 lb / 150 gsm paper is light cream color and is a pleasure to use, and the books range from 6x4 inches to 14x17 inches, with 50 or 60 pages per book.

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Williamsburg Oil Paint Sets

The Williamsburg Oil Paint Signature Series has 9 colors in 11 ml tubes.

Williamsburg is known for its intensely pigmented, handmade oil paints that are the favorite paints of many professional artists. Available individually or in a variety of sets, try the Signature Series set of 9 for an introduction to these wonderful oil paints. An oil painter will appreciate this, or any set of the high quality Williamsburg paints. The Signature Series set has 9 tubes with 11 ml of paint each, or about 1/3 of an ounce.

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The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

This classic, first published almost 30 years ago, helps artists, writers, and creative types unlock their full potential. Through a series of exercises, such as a letter to yourself and the famous “morning pages” of free writing (visual artists can just substitute sketching) everyone can discover their creative path in an open-ended way that accommodates everyone. At times a bit new age-y, this book is still worth a read for the ideas and exercises. The book grew out of a series of workshops that Cameron ran, and the book feels like you are in the room with Cameron’s gentle but insistent guidance.

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Faber-Castell 9000 Series Drawing Set

Faber-Castell 9000 Series Drawing Set.

Faber-Castell makes some of the best pencils and is the choice of professionals and serious artists. It’s easy to just reach for the signature green pencils first. This set of 12 pencils from F-C’s signature 9000 series has one pencil each ranging from the soft and dark 8B up to 2H. There’s also a set for designers that ranges from 5B to 5H. The sets come in a hinged metal tin or a soft bag and usually retail for around $15-$20. This is the perfect set for anyone who loves to draw. Pair it with a sketchbook and a sharpener for a perfect gift.

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Tote Bag for Tools, Pencils, and Brushes

JJRing Nylon Tote Bag

Every artist can use a little organizational help, and a tote bag keeps everything is at hand and easy to find. The JJRing nylon art/craft bag is has a 16 pockets, is available in eight colors, and is a great value, typically priced at $15 to $25.

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Caran D’Ache Luminance Colored Pencils

The Caran D’Ache Luminance pictured here in the 20 pencil box.

The ultra-premium Luminance colored pencils are a joy to use and the entire set is 100 percent lightfast, which means that the pigments are designed to withstand UV rays. Under museum conditions, these colors will hold up for at least 100 years. The Luminance (and the Derwent Lightfast) were our top picks in a recent test of colored pencils based on the color intensity, quality, and the lightfast ratings. The Luminance also has an easy-to-use cardboard box where each pencil is inset into foam, so the pencils don’t jumble around. Prices range from a set of 20 pencils for $55 to a set of 76 pencils for around $225.

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The Story of Painting: How Art Was Made

The Story of Painting: How Art Was Made from DK.

This 2019 book covers the entire 25,000 year history of painting with illustrations, texts, and guides to technique, composition, and subject matter. It’s a great overview for a beginning painter, or a wonderful reference book for the more experienced artist. The details, images, and texts make this more than just a coffee table book. It’s available in hardcover for around $25.

The book includes detailed examinations of numerous paintings.

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Utrecht Artists’ Watercolor Paint Box

The Utrecht Watercolor Box is a complete painting kit.

This set has everything an artist needs to get started with watercolor painting and it’s made by Utrecht, the Brooklyn, NY company known for high quality, artist-grade paints and mediums. It comes in a beechwood box and includes a 9x12” watercolor block, four brushes, a flat knife, a needed eraser, plastic palette with 24 wells, and 18 tubes of watercolor paint. The box usually retails for around $225.

Utrecht also sells smaller sets of just watercolor paints.

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Anker Soundcore Q20 Noise Cancelling Headphones

The Anker Soundcore Q20 Noise Cancelling Headphones.

Over-ear noise cancelling headphones can really help you focus on your work, especially if you work in a shared or noisy environment. There are a lot of options for this type of headphone, but the Anker Soundcore Q20 strike a balance between quality and affordability, especially considering they will probably get covered in paint at some point. These headphones have an impressive 40 hour playing time, and a dynamic sound quality that while not quite audiophile level, really deliver a lot for the $50 price tag.

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Liquitex Acrylic Gouache

The Liquitex Acrylic Gouache 12 color essentials kit.

Gouache is a type of opaque watercolor paint, and the Liquitex Acrylic Gouache is an interesting twist on this product that is really nice to use. Think of it as a matte acrylic paint that is fluid right out of the bottle and will result in a matte finish that doesn’t show brush strokes or cracks. It’s become a favorite acrylic paint of many. It’s available in small squeeze bottles—to use, just press out what you will need on a tray or palette. The colors are available individually or in a variety of sets. Try the 12 color essentials set for around $55 or the fluorescent set is also fun.

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Blick Super Value Bulk Canvas Pack

The Blick Super Value Bulk Canvas Pack has 40 16x20” pre-primed canvases.

Almost a gag gift for the extreme size, this bulk pack of 40 stretched canvases are great for anyone who paints a lot. These 16x20” canvases are pre-primed with acrylic gesso on 5/8” thick stretcher bars. At around $120, these canvases work out to about $3 each—an incredible value. And a gift like this will provide plenty of surfaces for an artist to get to work.

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Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Paint

Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Paint.

Water mixable oil paint is an interesting innovation made by a variety of manufacturers. It allows you to thin paint with water (although most companies do make some mediums as well) but more importantly, you can clean up this paint with water and soap. This makes it so much easier to keep hands, brushes, palettes, and everything clean, especially if you are painting at home. Winsor & Newtown makes a great line of water mixable oil paint called Artisan, and it’s available individually and in sets. The set of 10 colors in the smaller 0.7 ounce tubes is a great introduction to this line.

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Foam Daubers

Foam daubers aka sponges on a stick.

These sponges on a stick are a fun craft tool for artists of all ages. Variously known as spouncers, daubers, or stick sponges, these are a great way to add polka dots and round shapes to any surface. Use with acrylic, watercolor, or inks. Available in bulk packs for around $10–20, they are a great tool for any artist.

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Create Dangerously: The Power and Responsibility of the Artist by Albert Camus

Create Dangerously by Albert Camus.

This 1957 speech by the Nobel Prize winner was first published as a standalone text in 2019 in this small, pocket-sized book. A call to arms for artists to participate in society, it’s an interesting read for anyone considering a career in the art or who is interested in what role artists might take in civic discourse. The paperback usually retails for $8.

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Canson XL Black Drawing Pad

The Canson XL Black Drawing Sketchbook

A sketchbook with black paper is a fun way to mix things up in the studio. Pair it with opaque colors from pens or pencils, and you’ve got a whole new way to approach color and design. A studio favorite is the student-grade Canson XL Black Drawing Pad. Each pad features 40 pages with 92lb black paper, with micro-perforations at the side if you want to remove a drawing for framing or other purposes. Available in 7x10” or 9x12”, expect to pay $7 to $10 for these pads. For a great gift, pair this with gel pens or colored pencils.

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X-Acto Basic Knife Set and Case

The X-Acto Basic Knife Set with case.

Every artist needs X-Acto knives at some point, and this basic set of 3 knives and 10 replacement blades is a great introduction to the variety of blades from this venerable company. Use this for trimming watercolor paper, collages, or any art and hobby purposes, these will get used all the time. This set typically retails for around $23. Pair it with a cutting mat (see below) for a great gift.

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Self-Healing Cutting Mat

Alvin Cutting Mats are one option for self-healing cutting mats.

Self-healing cutting mats are a great way to protect both your tables from cuts and it helps your knife blades stay sharp longer. Available from a variety of manufacturers (Alvin, Blick, Cricut, X-Acto etc) the main thing is to pick the size and color that works for your space. Traditionally available in green and black from Alvin, there are now a variety of colors and sizes. For at-home use, an 18x24” mat or 24x36” sizes are usually best, but you can go bigger or smaller. In addition to cutting, these make great surfaces for using liquid or hot glue, or for moving around drawings or paintings that are not yet dry. The larger sizes are also useful for covering tables used for drawing, painting, and crafts.

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Arches Watercolor Blocks

Arches watercolor blocks come in a variety of paper thicknesses and finishes.

Arches makes some of the best watercolor paper and watercolor blocks are a great way to try out their paper. Sealed on the side with glue, each sheet stays in place and won’t warp, and can then be cut off using a dull knife. Then the next sheet is ready to go. These come in hot and cold press in a variety of thickness. Cold press paper has a bit more texture and the mid-weight 140 lb / 300 gsm paper is a good place to start, such as an 8x10 block of 20 sheets that retails for around $33. Pair this with a high-quality set of watercolors (such as Sennilier, Utrecht, etc) and you’ve got a great gift for a watercolor artist.

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Sennelier Watercolor Travel Set

Sennelier La Petite Watercolor Travel Set

Sennelier makes some of the best watercolors that are rich in hue, depth, and just enough transparency. They are a pleasure to use and when paired with a watercolor block (see above) make a great gift. This travel set includes 12 tubes of watercolor paint and a small palette for adding water. The tubes hold 10ml or .33 oz of watercolor paint, which can go a long way—especially if they are mixed with water and used wet on wet. It’s a great introduction to the Sennelier line of watercolors, and generally retails for $35-$40.

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JBL Bluetooth Speaker

The JBL Flip 4 portable bluetooth speaker.

It’s always great to have music or podcasts in the studio, and a portable bluetooth speaker makes it easy to play anything from your phone, tablet, or laptop. The JBL Flip 4 is slightly older (meaning it’s available at a discount) but is still a great option that sounds great, is easy to pair with devices, and comes with long-lasting build quality. For something bigger and louder, check out the JBL Charge line of speakers. The JBL Flip 4 is waterproof, available in a variety of colors, and usually retails for around $90.

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Studio Designs Fusion Center Drafting Table

Studio Designs Fusion Drafting Table and Stool. (Cabinet is not part of the set).

Studio Designs is known for high quality but affordable studio furniture (I’ve been using the Graphix II Workstation for years) and the Fusion Center is a great introductory table and stool for artists who draw, paint, or craft. Featuring a work area that is just under 24 x 35 inches, the table can adjust from flat to a 60 degree angle. There’s also a pencil and brush rack, and a slide-out side table, giving the table an overall potential footprint of 24x48 inches, and the table is adjustable from 26.75 to 35.35 high. It’s a great first desk for the serious hobbyist or art student who is ready for their own dedicated table. It typically retails for around $125.

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Daybook: The Journal of an Artist by Anne Truitt

An older edition of Daybook by Anne Truitt.

This classic journal by the American sculptor has been in print continuously since it was published in the early 1980s. In it, Truitt details her daily observations about artmaking as well as her history as an artist and mother. It’s an enlightening read that ranges from the mundane, to money concerns, to the theoretical underpinnings of her works and how she made them. It’s available new and used, including a recent digital edition that includes Daybook and two more books of Truitt’s journals. For more, check out this excerpt of the book. Daybook is available in paperback for around $15.

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Holbein Artist’s Gouache Set

The 12 color set of Holbein Artists’ Gouache.

Gouache is the opaque version of watercolors and Holbein makes some of the finest gouaches around. These professional grade paints are vibrant, dry to a matte finish, and can be thinned with water if less intensity is desired. The colors are available individually or as sets, ranging from five colors for around $30 to all 84 colors for over $700. A set of 12 or 18 colors makes a great introduction to this line of colors and in the smaller .2 ml tubes, these sets range from $44 to $53.

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Pentel Pocket Brush

The Pentel Pocket Brush Pen with two refills.

The Pentel Pocket Brush is a portable, easy-to-use, and refillable brush pen that can lay down a super-fine line or a heavier stroke. Perfect for travel and on the go ink sketches, it can also be used in the studio for finished work. It’s good for painting, cartooning, and more, and is available with gray, black, or sepia-colored ink. The brush and two refills typically retails for around $13, and refills are about $3 for a two pack. Pair this with a mixed media sketchbook (such as the Aquabee Super Deluxe Sketchbook) and you’ve got a great gift.

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Alice Neel: People Come First

Alice Neel: People Come First is a 2021 monograph published by the Met Museum.

This 2021 monograph focuses on Neel’s history, social activism, and portraits. Published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and based on the blockbuster exhibition there, the hardcover book includes high-quality reproductions and essays on Neel and her work. A sense of life was in every mark that Neel made and this book is a deep look into a fascinating artist and her body of work.

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Sennelier Abstract Kit

The Sennelier Abstract Acrylic Paint Kit with 8 tips.

Sennelier Abstract acrylic paints are a new twist on painting. The paint can be squeezed out on a palette like any other paint, or try the various tips directly on these plastic pouches to squeeze paint right out of the bag. It makes the act of painting physical and immediate, and can open up a new way of working for any artist. The set includes 5 paints and 8 tips, and typically retails for around $35.

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Blick Studio Black Cotton Canvas

Blick Studio Black Cotton Canvas are pre-primed and stretched and ready to paint.

Black primed canvases are a completely different way to approach painting, and these pre-primed and stretched cotton canvases from Blick allow you to get right to painting in acrylic or oil. Available in 5 sizes ranging from 8x10 inches to 20x24 inches, these canvases have a traditional 3/4” deep stretcher bar and are suitable for hanging or framing. Pair these with an acrylic or oil painting set for a great gift.

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Golden Fluid Acrylics Set

The Golden Fluid Acrylic Set includes 10 paints.

Golden fluid acrylics are high flow, thin paints for artist that spray, brush, stain, or paint. They are highly saturated with pigment and they are almost ink-like in how they lay down and dry. They are a great way to mix things up and can be used with various mediums or thinned even further with water. The set of paints includes 10 colors in 1 oz jars and usually retails for around $42

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Blick Super Value Hardbound Sketchbook

The Blick Super Value Hardbound Sketchbook two pack.

Hardbound sketchbooks are great ways to keep all your sketches, thoughts, and notes in one place and this 2 pack is simply an incredible deal. At around $12 for two sketchbooks, it’s the same price you’ll pay for one hardbound sketchbook at other stores. The 65 lb paper measures 8.5x11 inches and is smooth, white, and acid free.

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Caran D’Ache Pablo and Supracolor Gift Box

The Caran D’Ache Pablo and Supracolor box set.

This handsome wooden box has a full set of Caran D’Ache Pablo colored pencil and Supracolor water-mixable colored pencils. The two lines blend together easily, giving you an unlimited range of possibilities for drawing, shading, blending, and working wet. At $464, it’s quite the statement gift but it includes 180 pencils, for an average cost of $2.58 each.

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Other Gift Ideas

Classes: A set of classes at a local studio or art studio can be a great gift.

Magazine Subscriptions: Magazines are great sources of ideas and inspiration.

Tours, Trips, or Conferences: Look for painting-specific travel tours, retreats, or conferences.

What are your favorite gift ideas for artists? Let us know in the comments.

Gift Guides

Check out these posts:

Gift Guide for Potters

Gift Guide for Young Artists and Creative Kids

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Gift Guide for Young Artists and Creative Kids

Art supplies make a wonderful gift for kids and this guide will cover a wide variety of quality tools and kits for kids of all ages.

As an artist and a parent, my philosophy is to provide quality supplies such as colored pencils and paper and let kids follow their own ideas. But it can also be fun to work with a kit or set, so I have included a few favorites here too. And sometimes a special tool or supply is just the thing to unlock a whole world for a kid, and for adults too.

This post has a variety of ideas for kids of all ages, including art supplies, kits, books, and supplies.

Note: This site uses affiliate links for sites such as Amazon and Blick. If you click the links and complete a purchase, we may receive a percentage at no extra cost to you.

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Faber-Castell Young Artist’s Essentials Gift Set

This kit, from the venerable German art supply manufacturer, includes 64 pieces in a handsome wooden box. The kit includes colored pencils, watercolor pencils, graphite pencils, oil pastels, markers, small sheets of watercolor paper, and a sharpener. Pair this with a drawing pad and your kid is set for hours and hours of drawing and painting. Kids love having these sets and it also helps organize their materials. This kit is listed at $50 but I’ve seen it on sale for half that.

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Strathmore Vision Sketchbook

Strathmore Vision Mixed Media sketchbook is great for anyone.

The Strathmore Vision Mixed Media sketchbook has great paper and a second, customizable cover in slate blue cardstock. Simply rip off the first cover and start drawing and painting! And the thicker, 98lb mixed media paper works well with pencils, crayons, markers, and can even be used with ink and light washes of watercolor. Any mixed media pad is better than a drawing sketchbook because of the thicker paper (check out our mixed media sketchbook review here) but this pad is a great option for kids, teenagers, and students. It usually costs around $10 for a 9x12'“ pad.

The customizable, blank cover is a great feature of the Strathmore Vision mixed media pad.

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Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils

The Prismacolor Premier 24 count pack in a metal tin with two plastic trays of pencils.

Prismacolor Premiers are some of the best and most affordable artist-grade colored pencils on the market. They are great for adults but kids will also appreciate the soft cores and vibrant colors. And they are quite affordable too. They do cost more than Crayola or other school brands, but those pencils are have hard cores and inferior pigment. Go with the bold colors of Prismacolor Premiers, or click here to see our full review of colored pencils.

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are available individually or in sets ranging from 12 to 150 colors. A 24-count tin typically costs around $25.

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Magic Clay Kit

This set of air-dry clay comes with 36 colors, 47 accessories including a few tools, and will generate hours of fun crafting and creating. The clay dries in about 24 hours and has mess-free clean up. There’s also a larger kit with 50 colors of clay. Recommended for ages 6 and up.

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The Original Spirograph

No childhood is complete without this classic geometric drawing tool, first released in 1965. It’s equally fun for adults and allows you to explore patterns, math, and hand control. Create endless designs and try it with pens, pencils, and any sort of drawing media. The sets do come with fine point pens as well.

There are a variety of sets including a Spirograph Jr., scratch art, or a small travel version, but the Original Deluxe for around $24 is a great option.

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Arnold Grummer Zig-Zag Books

These prefolded, acid-free, accordion-style zig zag booklets give kids a fun way to make their own books, stories, or extended drawing panels. Available in three different sizes, the packs come with 12 booklets. Pair these packs with colored pencils or markers for a gift that will provide hours of fun and creativity. The packs come with chipboard covers and insert pages too.

The Arnold Grummer Zig Zag book packs typically range from $16 to $23.

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Jovi Plastilina

For sculptors of all ages, Jovi Plastilina is a non-hardening modeling clay that holds fine detail and can be reused over and over. It’s great for model making, small sculptures, or can be used to make stop-motion animation.

The colors will blend, if desired, or you can work to keep them separate. The clay is gluten free, is non-staining, and cleans up easily. The recommended pack costs around $29 and comes with 30 bars, 2 each of 15 colors, but there are a variety of pack sizes available that range in price from $9 to $75. This is a great, basic art supply that provides amazing, open-ended sculpting possibilities.

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Dough Builders

These plastic body parts—essential generic Potato Head parts—pair well with Plastilina, Play-Do, or any sort of modeling dough. Make fun creatures, characters, monsters and animals.

Amazon sells a huge 260-piece tub for around $30, while Blick has a more modest sized set for around $6.50 with 25 assorted parts. The large tub has 26 styles of pieces with 10 of each, so a smaller set might be enough for most kids but the big tub is great for parties, classrooms, or larger gatherings.

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Alphacolor Biggies Tempera Cakes

These semi-moist cakes of non-toxic tempera paint respond immediately to a wet brush. These cakes will never spoil or dry out, making them a long-lasting addition to your craft drawer without dealing with a bunch of bottles of paint. These opaque colors will blend, and stay vibrant and velvety smooth when dry. Pair these with a pad of mixed media or watercolor paper, and your kid will have unlimited possibilities.

These are available as an 8 pack in a plastic tray, or as 12 individual cakes. There are some complaints about the tray (it can get messy) but consider putting the paints inside separate deli containers or styrofoam trays, or any sort of system that makes sense to you. For $20 for the 8 pack, they’re an awesome set of paints for young artists.

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ArtBin Sketch Board and Storage Bin

The ArtBin Sketch Board is great for drawing or watercolor on the go, or to simply organize art supplies at home. ArtBin makes simple, functional storage bins and this takes their basic bin to the next level with pencil storage, pocket, and a clip inside and on the top to hold a pad or paper in place. Note that the plastic molding is not perfectly flat, so plan to use this with cardboard behind your paper such as a sketchpad or watercolor block.

The ArtBin Sketch Board typically retails for between $26 and $30. It measures 11.5” x 16” x 1.5” deep, and will easily hold a 9x12” sketchpad.

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Canson XL Black Drawing Pad

Black paper really makes colors pop and pairs well with colored pencils, pastels, and gel pens. It’s a fun a way to switch things up and the Canson XL Black Drawing Pads have great quality at an affordable price. Available in two sizes: 10x7” and 9x12”, they typically retail for $7 to $10.

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Sakura Gelly Roll Pens

Gel pens look great on all sorts of media, including black paper or on top of other paints, and the Sakura Gelly Roll Pens are some of the best out there. These may not be best for younger kids, but older elementary school children and older should be able to use these without too much mess—just let the ink dry before touching. Available in a variety of sets, try the Classic set of 10 pens for a young artist for around $12 to $14. There are other sets available, including metallic pens or the complete line of 74 Gelly Roll pens retails for around $85.

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Arnold Grummer Dip Handmade Paper Kit

Turn your scrap and waste paper into beautiful homemade paper with this 8 1/2” x 11” paper making screen. It’s super fun to explore this process, and you can use the results to make more projects! In addition to this screen, you’ll need a tub that can fit the screen (such as a plastic dish tub or deep cake pan), blender, and recycled paper or buy speciality paper fiber. The kit does come with some dried botanical pieces to get you started.

The 8 1/2 x 11” screen is a great size to start, but there’s a smaller screen available, as well as a deluxe kit that comes with a variety of templates. Kids will love making paper but you might find yourself experimenting with your own paper.

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Jumbo Crayons and Pencils

Small hands will love extra big pencils and crayons, but even as an adult, these are some of my favorites. Here’s a few different quality options for jumbo-sized art supplies:

Stabilo Woody

The Stabilo Woody is a “3 in 1” pencil that combines the features of a colored pencil, watercolor pencil, and a wax crayon. It can even be wiped off flat surfaces such as glass windows or tiles. It has an extra thick, 10mm thick core. Available in sets ranging from 6 to 18 pencils.

Faber-Castell 9000 Series Jumbo Pencils

The Faber-Castell 9000 Series pencils have been in production since 1905 and they are an artist-grade classic. But hands old and young will appreciate the Jumbo version (these are my favorite sketching pencils too) that comes in a set of 5 with hardnesses ranging from HB to 8B. Be sure to get a large pencil sharpener that will accommodate these pencils, such as a Faber-Castell sharpener.

Jumbo Colored Pencils from Cretacolor, Jolly or Faber-Castell

There are a variety of jumbo colored pencils that are well made and will provide extra-thick, durable cores for hours of vibrant drawing. Some adults love these big pencils for coloring book work too!

For colored pencils, check out Cretacolor Megas or the Jolly X-Big options.

Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer Magnus

For oversized watercolor pencils, check out the Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer Magnus pencils. These are professional, artist-grade pencils with 5.3mm cores that will be appreciated by any artist including kids. Use dry as a colored pencil, or blend with water and brush to activate the line. Available individually or in sets of 12, 18, or 24.

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The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia

Recommended for ages 8 and up, this visual encyclopedia from DK covers the history of art including painting, sculpture, and photography. The 9x11” book has 304 pages that are full of images and info on art history classics. Available in paperback or hardcover, it’s a great deal at $18 to $22.

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Elmer’s Slime Kits

Make your own slime at home! These are so fun for kids and get their hands moving and imagination going. Just be prepared for some cleanup, but the good news, is it’s all washable.

Add metallic glitter, confetti, and other fun effects to customize your slime.

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Make Ink: A Forager’s Guide to Natural Inkmaking by Jason Logan

Use this book as a guide to turn things you find inside or outside into ink. Beautifully illustrated and full of info and recipes, this book will show you and your kid how to make ink from flowers, plants, acorns, bark, copper, turmeric and more. Middle school and up will be fine with this book but elementary-age kids will need parent help.

The book is available in hardcover for around $26.

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Marbling Kits and Supplies

The Boku-Undo marbling dye kit is sold at Blick and Amazon, and Amazon also carries an option (linked below) with brushes.

Making marbled paper is fun for kids, teens, and adults. There are a variety of kits and supplies, some require mixing a thickener with water and waiting for everything to mix overnight. But the inks from Boku-Undo float on plain water and can be used right away. You will need some sort of tray or tub, inks, brushes, and paper such as watercolor paper. You will only be limited by the size of your tub and paper, and your imagination.

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Alginate / Plaster Casting Kit

The Luna Bean Hand Casting Kit is a foolproof way to make a mold in a bucket using skin-safe alginate, and then cast the mold with the provided gypsum plaster cement. But you don’t have to just make hands. Make a mold of a toy, a Playdoh sculpture, heck—make a mold of anything! Teenagers will be able to use this on their own (make sure they wear a dust mask) and you can work with younger children to introduce them to the casting process. It’s really fun, and if you’ve never made a mold, the resulting detail will astonish you. This $40 kit includes a bucket, alginate, and plaster. There are also larger and smaller kits.

If you are looking for your own skin-safe casting material without the bucket, try Smooth-On Alja Safe

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Blick Studio Table Easel by Jullian

This table top easel is stable, well made, and will hold canvases up to 24” tall. It also folds flat so it can be put away when not in use. It folds to 10 1/2” x 18” x 2” deep, making it small enough to take on the go too. For $18, this is a great option that will be equally useful to adults as kids. Inspire the painter in an artist of any age with this table top easel.

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Blick Studio Canvas Panels

Canvas panels are an economical way to introduce beginners to painting on canvas. Each panel is approximately 1/8” thick and features double-primed, 5oz canvas stretched over a stiff board. Lightweight, warp resistant, and acid free, these canvas panels are ready for acrylic, oil or any painting medium. Available in packs of 5 or larger classroom packs, young painters can make lots of work without taking up a ton of room with these. These panels are available in sizes ranging from 4” x 5” to 20” x 24”.

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Sargent Art Acrylic Paint Pot Set

This set of acrylic paints includes 6 or 12 paint pots with screw on caps. The pots are not removeable, so the paints all stay together and are less likely to be tipped over. And the pots can be refilled with other acrylic paint as needed. This is a great set for elementary-age painters or any artist looking for a bit of organization in their studio. These cost around $5 for 6 colors, or $10 for 12 colors.

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Klutz Friendship Bracelet Kit

Making friendship bracelets is a classic childhood activity and introduces ideas of pattern making, detail work, and craft skills. This book and kit includes everything a kid needs to make 12 bracelets. Recommended for ages 8 and up, the kit comes with 10 skeins of thread.

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Wear’m Denim Apron

This simple denim apron with a back tie and a front pocket comes in two sizes, the smaller is perfect for kids while the large will work for teens and adults. Easy to launder and long-lasting, just make sure to tie the string together before washing, or it may pull out. These are just about the cheapest aprons out there, and they work great. $6 for the small or $9 for the larger size.

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Lomida Flip Book Kit

Young artists can create their own cartoons with this complete kit! It includes six 4.5” x 2.5” flip books with 90 pages each, a set of 12 pencils, sharpener, and pencil. This is sure to entertain and inspire, and gives kids insights about cartoons and stop-motion animation. The kit is $15.

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Craft Bin

A craft bin full of supplies is a sure way to entertain kids. With glue, scissors, pom poms, and tons of other pieces, they can go crazy making whatever they want. The Funzbo bin is a good option, with a regular and mega size, but there are a wide variety of craft bins to choose from, typically ranging from $12 to about $30. Recommended for ages 4 to 10.

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Tempera Paint Sticks

Tempera paint sticks are sort of like markers, but with non-toxic, washable tempera paint. An easy way to paint with no need for water or brushes, these are great for when time is tight or clean up is a concern. Kwik Stix makes highly reviewed and recommended tempera paint sticks in a variety of colors and styles, including metallic, neon, and thinner sticks too.

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How to Draw Books

Kids often appreciate a guidebook for learning how to draw and there are a lot of books out there on learning how to draw animals, faces, or they might appreciate a book on comic book and manga drawing styles.

For budding comic book artists, check out our guide to making a booklet with a long-reach stapler. Kids love having their own little booklet to draw in, or a simple sketchbook to carry around.

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Scratch-Art Boards

Scratch art is a cool way to make colorful images. Typically black over a colorful base, the color is revealed by scratching through the black with a metal or wooden stylus, stick, toothpick, or anything that can pull off the top material. Kids really love this and the scratch art paper is typically available in packs of 5, 10, 30 or more sheets. I haven’t really encountered a “bad” brand so order what seems best to you but the links here are to Scratch-Art Brand.

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SunPrint Paper

Cyanotype is an early photographic process first discovered in 1842, and the SunPrint Paper is a great way to introduce this process to artists of all ages. To use, place flowers, objects, or anything on top of the paper and expose it to the sun where the exposed paper will turn blue. Then, rinse the paper in water to “fix” the image, although they may fade somewhat over time. A fun activity for all, this can get kids thinking about image making, materials, and the basic fundamentals of photography. Each pack comes with 15 sheets of 8.5 x 11” paper.

For larger sheets than SunPrint or raw materials to create your own cyanotype, shop Jacquard Cyanotype products at Blick.

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Blick Studio Adjustable Activity Easel

This easel is an affordable and flexible model that can be used on the floor or tabletop. It’s great for younger kids and it can be raised to a top height of 54”. The easel is 26 inches wide, and comes with a 25 foot roll of 18” paper. Typically priced around $90, this should provide years of use for painting and drawing.

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The Year of Knots by Windy Chien

Knots as art? Why not! (lol sorry). This book details Chien’s year long exploration of knots and while it is aimed at adults, older elementary school kids and up will appreciate it too. Beautiful illustrated with a ton of knots, plan to spend some money on rope to do these projects too. Knots and knot art touches on math, hand skills, macramé, craft, and so many other topics. It’s a fantastic jumping off point to explore more than just rope.

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U.S. Art Supply Adjustable Portable Easel

This compact wooden easel has a drawer for supplies and can accommodate paper or canvas up to 11” x14”. It measures 13.25" wide, 10.25" deep, and 2" high, and includes a wooden painters palette. It also includes a handle for carrying. For $30, it’s a nice little unit that should see years of use if treated carefully. It’s also a great gift for a young painter—pair it with a watercolor or acrylic set and they are ready to get to work at home or outside.

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Conclusion

Giving kids art supplies is a great idea as it sparks their creativity, introduces motor control skills, and gives them the freedom to make their decisions and follow their ideas. This gift guide has more than 35 recommendations of art supplies and kits. For the most part, these are supplies that can used in open-ended ways rather than a kit that can only do one thing.

What are your favorite ideas for kids art supplies? Let us know in the comments.

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