Top artist tutors test a range of art materials so you can choose the perfect gifts for artists this Christmas with festive demonstrations to follow too.
Scroll down for top gift ideas, demonstrations, videos and more from Helen Tarr, Liz Chaderton, Tim Fisher, Naomi Jenkin, Tony Underhill, Alan Bickley and Peter Keegan.
Caran d'Ache Gouache Studio Set - a vibrant gift for artists
Used to painting with gouache from tubes, Helen Tarr was curious to see how the eight pan set from Caran d'Ache we sent her would perform.
Painting a beautiful Christmas bauble, see above, Helen was generally pleased with what she achieved saying, 'Caran d’Ache make high quality art materials, so even though this set is marketed for beginners, the colours are highly pigmented and a pleasure to use. Their convenient design, vibrancy and rich texture make them an excellent choice for sketchbook studies, plein air sketches and journaling. This set would make an ideal gift this Christmas.'
Use the button below to read Helen's full review and to watch her video demonstration to paint the bauble above.
Daniel Smith Watercolour Ground - a gift for the adventurous watercolourist
Liz Chaderton extols the virtues of Daniel Smith Watercolour Ground as a perfect gift for watercolourists saying, 'A jar of watercolour ground might sound unappealing, but it opens up so many possibilities for the adventurous watercolourist – to paraphrase – watercolour ground is not just for Christmas, it is for life.'
Golden Fluid Acrylics - a gift of fresh transparency
Tim Fisher highly recommends one of his favourite products, Golden Fluid Acrylics saying, 'Half way between an ink and a medium body paint, Golden fluid acrylics have a creamy consistency and a high pigment loading which helps to maintain its colour strength even when diluted. This is why I like to use these paints for watercolour style paintings as I enjoy the freshness and transparency that these paints give.'
WATCH AS TIM PAINTS THE FESTIVE SCENE ABOVE
Caran d'Ache Pastel Pencils - a dream of a gift for artists!
'I absolutely love Caran d’Ache Pastel Pencils,' says Naomi Jenkin. 'They’re a dream to work with! Whether you’re looking to draw animals, floral, art, landscapes or urban scenes, I’d highly recommend these as an ideal gift this Christmas!'
Order your pastel pencils from Art Supplies with Painters Online.
LEARN TO DRAW HOLLY WITH NAOMI
Daniel Smith Watercolour Essentials Set - a gift of endless colour
As someone who paints and demonstrates with watercolours, Tony Underhill says, 'I can recommend the Daniel Smith Essentials Set as an ideal present; either for a beginner artist who’s looking to take the next step up from student grade to professional paints, or for a more advanced watercolour user who perhaps either already uses Daniel Smith paints or wants to give them a try.'
WATCH AS TONY DEMONSTRATES A FESTIVE WATERCOLOUR
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour Field Pocket Set - a cleverly designed gift for painters
'When asked to showcase a Christmas gift that I would love to own the Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour Field Pocket Set was the obvious choice,' says Alan Bickley as he puts this field set to the test.
Compact and sturdy, the field set is made of a durable and strong warm-white plastic material and, especially considering its fairly small size, it’s a really cleverly designed item, and it’s obvious that a lot of thought has gone into the practicality of the design.
This has to be one of the most useful presents any aspiring watercolour painter could receive!
Winsor & Newton Artists' Retouching Varnish - the perfect gift for oil painters
'Winsor & Newton Artists’ Retouching Varnish is an ideal and practical gift any oil painter will truly appreciate,' says Peter Keegan.
This enhancing varnish serves a dual purpose in the painting process: it revives the brilliance of colours that have temporarily dulled during drying, and it offers light protection for the paint surface.
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