swimmermom3 Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I have a 16 yo nephew who is very artistic and has asked for art supplies for Christmas and his birthday. I have not been able to get specifics from my sister, so what would you all suggest? I have a budget of about $50 and want to get some decent quality materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Why not give him a gift card to a local art supply and let him choose? I see it a lot like I see my son's musical supplies. He knows better than I do what he would want, and appreciate the choice to pick out his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I agree with Tbog, my daughter is hoping to go to art school and most of the stuff she wants if pretty specific and she'll only purchase them from the local art supply store or online through Jerry's Artarama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel-in-CA Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 The art school will say exactly what brands. A gift card from someplace like dickblick.com or an art store recommended by the art school is probably a better idea than specific supplies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Look at Blick. You could get him a gift card. Lots of great art supplies and sometimes they have fantastic sales.... http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-gift-cards/ Laurel and I crossposted....I agree with what she said. (see link above) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise in Florida Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Shopper caution alert! I used to recommend Prismacolor pencils. I bought them for my girls, they were a huge step up from 'craft supply' color pencils but were not as insanely expensive as the professional artist supplies. However! they have changed the formulation (no change to packaging or price of course). They are no longer as smooth and consistent. You are still paying above average price but no longer getting the above average quality. Don't bother with them anymore. Sorry, I wish I had a suggestion for a good student quality replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I have an artsy teen as well. She loves these oil pastels. She also goes through sketch books fairly quickly (she carries one with her everywhere). I purchased her one with a colorful design on the outside and a travel case with sketching pencils and eraser this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 My daughter prefer's Jerry's to Blick, but I think it's because they actually had a B&M store where we used to live. She uses Prismacolors for school, but prefers Koh i Nohr woodless pencils for her artwork. A lot of times preference is really going to vary by kid, so if your sister or nephew won't give up the info, I'd go with a gift card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Girls' Mom Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I agree with a gift card, but if you'd like something inexpensive to wrap with it, my dd loves these sketchbooks: http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/paper/drawing-and-multimedia-paper-and-boards/canson/student-drawing-paper-pads/xl-drawing-pads.htm The blue Mix Media are the ones that she prefers. They have a nice heavy weight and decent drawing surface. They also lay flat, unlike the book bound sketchbooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I agree with a gift card, but if you want to send an actual gift instead.... Tom bow pencils Drawing pad set (unless you know he likes a certain style) Tom bow eraser (fine tip) Sharpener Pencil sandpaper Eraser set Or Fine Line markers Prisma color markers Marker paper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Water color pencils are cool. I was middle aged before I even knew they existed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Water color pencils are cool. I was middle aged before I even knew they existed. Me too! If not Prismacolors (what I always used in Art Class way back in the last century) then what brand is better at a reasonable price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Shopper caution alert! I used to recommend Prismacolor pencils. I bought them for my girls, they were a huge step up from 'craft supply' color pencils but were not as insanely expensive as the professional artist supplies. However! they have changed the formulation (no change to packaging or price of course). They are no longer as smooth and consistent. You are still paying above average price but no longer getting the above average quality. Don't bother with them anymore. Sorry, I wish I had a suggestion for a good student quality replacement. Argh! That is terrible news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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