I remember opening my first set of portable watercolours; I was 16 years old. My parents had realized that my love of art wasn’t going away, and they bought me a really expensive set. Growing up in rural Manitoba, they must have driven the hour-and-a-half to Winnipeg to buy it.
All that year, I experimented with different styles I had seen in books (this was the 80s), combining it with my own sensibilities. During the summer holidays, I went on a medieval tangent and, in my mind’s eye, became a monkish manuscript illuminator, creating gaudily-coloured images of knights and battles and burning towers.
Whether my parents knew it or not, this was the perfect art gift for me at the time. But choosing the right gift of art supplies for the right age can be tricky, so I’ll outline below some of the more common age brackets and possible gift ideas that we have in stock.
A note: many of these suggestions for children are more fully adopted if they see adults using them! As a caregiver or relative, you will know the recipient best, but I will be happy to advise based on my experience.
Early childhood (approx. ages 2-6)
As soon as children have stopped automatically putting objects in their mouths, they can experiment with making things. They will love the feeling of mark-making for its own sake. Natural products and materials might take precedence over plastic ones (eg. markers) to encourage a connection to the natural world and avoid toxicity and waste. Some ideas:
Beeswax crayons: These natural and non-toxic crayons are full of bold colour and will easily handle rough treatment. They can be used directly on paper.
Beeswax modelling tablets: These can be warmed in the hands and easily formed into whatever you imagine. Use them at storytime or bedtime to help kids relax.
Wool yarn: simple skills like finger-knitting or corking can be learned by the very young. Knit a whole animal farm!
Coloured felt sheets: can be stitched together to make ornaments or stuffed shapes.
Later childhood: (ages 5-9)
The next stage is usually connected to an interest in letter-forms, and forms in general. A growing dexterity will allow manipulation of more typical art tools:
Pencil crayons: Large-diameter crayons (like Lyra Colour Giants) are easy to hold and less liable to break.
Wet-on-wet watercolour painting: a collection of moist watercolours, some jars, larger brushes, and good quality paper will allow children to experience colour for its own sake. This takes some set-up and adult accompaniment, but it is worth the effort! The colours need to be partially diluted with water so they flow nicely, and the paper needs to be sponged wet to make the colours bleed. By avoiding the tendency toward “control” of the details, this process allows the focus to be on letting the colour do the talking, so to speak. Tim can explain more details, or check out sites like: https://simplehomeschool.net/painting-wet-on-wet-waldorf-watercolors-for-children/
Teens:
This age is marked by an interest in more precision and accurate representation in visual art. The variety of media possibilities keeps expanding.
Pencils, pens, rulers, markers: These tools can be used for drawing from life, or from imagination, and also for geometry and comics.
Paints like oils, watercolours and acrylics: Watercolours are all-natural, and, with sets in “pans”, are very portable. Sets are available in all three.
Printmaking: a more technically challenging discipline, but with great prospects for anyone so inclined. This is one of my specialties, and I can describe the various forms.
Calligraphy: a great discipline for anyone with literary interests.
Sculpture: natural or synthetic clays, and we also have some wax-based modelling material and soapstone.
Adults:
Many of the supplies listed above for teens are applicable to adults, especially for those who have never had the opportunity to explore the visual arts. Some might want to start an ongoing hobby, others might just want to create a one-off masterpiece! Check what classes are available (either here or in the area), and you might want to give a gift certificate. For those who are sick in bed, or have physical challenges, consideration should be given to whether they have a table-like surface to work on, the “messiness” of a particular medium, and hand dexterity. In this last case, larger pencils are good for easier holding. Colouring books are a good option for people not wanting to get into anything too intensively.
Have fun thinking about your recipient, and maybe you will be “drawn” into the process!
In most cases, we can offer store credit for unused purchases, if needed. We will be open December 28 and 29, 10-4. Happy holidays!
