’Tis the season, which means it’s time to start racking your brain for gift ideas. But if your list happens to include artists or art lovers, the choice is a no-brainer: Give them a book on art. Whether it’s an artist bio, a critical anthology, or a sumptuously illustrated catalog, it’s bound to be appreciated (unless you’ve seriously misjudged the recipient’s preferences in art—in which case, it’s the thought that counts). And you don’t have to limit yourself to art cognoscenti. There are plenty of art books that anyone can enjoy, and even if it’s never cracked open, there’s always a place for it on the coffee table as a signifier of your friend’s good taste (and of course your own). Needless to say, they are thousands of titles out there. To help you make the right choice, we offer our recommendations for the best new art books for giving. (Prices and availability current at time of publication.

The ARTnews holiday art gift guide has arrived, with art-inspired products for every enthusiast on your list! Whether you’re shopping for an artist, a writer, a hobbyist, or an aesthete, our list of art gifts has you covered, with suggestions for everything from art supplies to art-themed apparel and accessories to artists’ limited-edition home goods. 

It’s Cyber Monday! Not all sale items are actually good buys, but we’ve done the research and found real (if sometimes modest) deals on electronics, photography gear, and software. Our recommendations below will help you get a jump on your holiday gift shopping for family, friends, and even yourself. We’ll be updating this page throughout the weekend, so check back often.

How we pick each product:
Our mission is to recommend the most appropriate artists’ tool or supply for your needs. Whether you are looking for top-of-the line equipment or beginners’ basics, we’ll make sure that you get good value for your money by doing the research for you. We scour the Internet for information on how art supplies are used and read customer reviews by real users; we ask experts for their advice; and of course, we rely on our own accumulated expertise as artists, teachers, and craftspeople.

Blueair air purifier

$243.92 $349.99 30% off

Buy Now On Amazon

This air purifier is very good at removing a variety of airborne particles, including pollen, dust, dander, mold allergen, and smoke and will work in larger spaces (cleaning 526 square-foot rooms in 30 minutes or 219 square-foot rooms in about 12.5 minutes when set on high). Easy to use and clean, it is also quite energy efficient.
 

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13% off Apple Magic tablet case keyboard for iPad

$259.00 $299.00 13% off

Buy Now On Amazon

This Apple brand accessory is great for turning either an iPad Pro or iPad Air into a laptop of sorts. It attached using Apple’s smart connector, so there’s no need to mess around with connecting via Bluetooth. Because it is an Apple product, it almost feels like you’re typing on a MacBook Air keyboard. It also features a laptop-quality trackpad. Like all Apple products, it’s thin, lightweight, and very nicely designed.

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19% off Zagg Pro Keys tablet case keyboard for iPad

$87.99 $109.00 19% off

Buy Now on walmart

If you’re looking for great Bluetooth tablet case keyboard for your iPad Pro or iPad Air, but are on a budget, consider this lightweight, durable model from Zagg. A magnetic stand that attaches to the back of the case holds your device at two convenient viewing angles, and corner bumpers provide 6.6 feet of drop protection.
 

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37% off a Zendure Power Bank mini charger

$44.39 $69.99 37% off

Buy Now On Amazon

When you’re on the go, having a dependable power bank Is essential. This pocket-sized portable power bank features pass-through charging function, allowing you to charge the battery bank while also charging your USB-C and USB-A devices.

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15% off an Apple 15.3-inch MacBook Air laptop

$1,099.00 $1,299.00 15% off

Buy Now On Amazon

The first Apple Air laptop to have a 15.3-inch liquid retina display, this ultrathin, ultralight laptop features 8GBs of memory (which can be expanded up to 24GBs) and a powerful 8-core CPU and 10-core GP. With a 1080p FaceTime HD camera and three-mic array for audio, it is ideal for videoconferencing.

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30% off a GoPro MAX

$349.00 $499.99 30% off

Buy Now On Amazon

This GoPro is a bit pricey, but it offers three types of cameras in one. It can shoot traditional hero-style video and photos, immersive 360-degree footage, or 180-degree images and video. It can also live stream video in  1080p. Other features includes horizon leveling (for a cinematic look), distortion-free panoramic photos, and great stereo audio (using its six on-board microphones). Buy it now for $349.00 and save 30%.

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39% off a Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 tablet

$139.99 $229.99 39% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A8 10.5-inch Android tablet has a big touchscreen, as well as expandable memory, rapid charging, and a long-lasting battery. Buy it now for $139.99 and save 38%.

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25% off School of Motion courses

Buy Now on school of motion

Make 2024 the year you learn a new skill. School of Motion courses in motion graphics, animation, visual effects, and more, are now 25% off through November 29.

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25% off Google photo books and canvases

Buy Now on google

Get 25% off photo book and canvas orders, as well as free shipping on photo print orders of $15 or more, through November 30.

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Up to 70% off Adobe Creative Cloud

Buy Now on adobe

Adobe Creative Cloud includes many of the go-to apps for digital creatives, including Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Premiere Pro and Premiere Rush, Audition, After Effects, Animate, and Character Animator. And Adobe includes more help features and tutorials than ever before. Get it through this today for up to 70 percent off.

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Up to 50% off Shutterfly Photo Prints

Buy now on shutterfly

This offer is good for up to 50 percent off Shutterfly products (some exclusions apply) through shutterfly.com or the Shutterfly app. Go to the website for more info. There are other discount codes available, including Promo code SHIP79, for free economy shipping on orders of $79 or more.

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25% off Boris FX Plugins

Buy Now on boris FX

Through November 26 get 25 percent off all Boris FX products, including the Boris FX Suite with Boris FX Sapphire, Boris FX Mocha, Boris FX Continuum, and Boris FX Optics. Sale is limited to one new product purchase per customer. Offer not valid on floating, dongle, or academic licensing options.) For more, go to BorisFX.com

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Up to 55% off Mixbook photo books and cards

Buy Now on MIXBOOK

Save on holiday photo cards, custom photo books, photo calendars, and canvas prints with discount code CYBER23. Free shipping on orders over $49.00.

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29% off a Nikon Z5 full-frame mirrorless camera

$996.95 $1396.95 29% off

Buy Now on ADORAMA

One of Nikon’s very capable Z-series, this camera has a 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and 5-axis in-body image stabilization for better results in low light. It can shoot 4.5 frames per second with autofocus and capture 4K-resouotion video at 30p. In addition to the Nikon camera body, this bundle comes with a SanDisk 32GB SDHC memory card, camera bag, software and other accessories.

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38% off an Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

$79.99 $129.00 38% off

Buy Now On Amazon

If you’re looking to create works of art on your Apple iPad, the Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) is a must. WIth tilt- and pressure-sensitivity features and virtually no lag when used with the Apple iPad, it can be used for digital painting and sketching as well as note-taking. It also has a flat edge that attaches magnetically to your iPad, which will keep it charged.

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40% off Photoshop Elements 2024 and Premiere Elements 2024

$89.99 $149.99 40% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Although many photographers and other creatives use Adobe Creative Cloud, which comes with Photoshop and Premiere Pro, not all artists need to use that cloud-oriented option. That’s why there’s Photoshop Elements 2024 and Premiere Elements 2024. For starters, there’s no subscription. You just pay once. The software is also easier to use: For instance, on Photoshop Elements 2024, which is for editing photos, there are one-click edits to instantly add blur or remove a background, smooth skin, de-haze or colorize a photo, and more. In Premiere Elements 2024, which is for video, you can quickly trim video clips, improve graining videos, and even produce stop-motion videos. Right now, you can buy both software packages for $89.99—a 40 percent savings.

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40% off a Blink Outdoor 4 (4th Gen) smart security camera

$71.99 $119.99 40% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Keep an eye on your studio when you are not there! For years, Blink has been making a variety of affordable security cameras that are easy to install and to use. Now you can find a bunch of them on Amazon for up to 60 percent off. For instance, save 50 percent on the Blink Mini Pan-Tilt camera, which is great for indoor use, or save 40 percent on the new Blink 4 fourth-generation outdoor camera.

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19% off an Epson EcoTank ET-3843 printer

$299.00 $369 19% off

Buy Now ON TARGET

Target already has a bunch of products on discount as part of its pre-Black Friday sales. We especially like this Epson Ecotank printer, if only because you don’t have to deal with the hassle and cost of ink cartridges. Instead, this model comes with high-capacity ink tanks. Just fill ’em up and you’ll be able to print for months (or even years!) without needing to refill—and saving on ink in the meantime. Buy now for $299 and save $70.00.

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23% off a Canon EOS R5 mirrorless camera (body only)

$2999.00 $3899.00 23% off

Buy Now ON B&H

Canon introduced the EOS R5 full-frame mirrorless camera in the summer of 2020, and it soon was on many photographers’ wish lists. The EOS R5—now on sale at B&H—has a 45-megapixel image sensor with an ISO range of ISO 100 to ISO 51200 (expandable up to ISO 102,400). You can also capture 8K UHD RAW video with this camera, one of the first that could do so at this resolution. It can fire off 12 frames per second in mechanical shutter mode and 20 fps using the silent electronic shutter. It also has Canon’s powerful Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, which allows it to snap into focus incredibly quickly. It can track people and animals and has excellent in-body image stabilization. Buy now for $3,399.00 and save $500.

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18% off a Sony a6100 mirrorless camera with E PZ 16-50mm lens

$699.99 $849.99 18% off

Buy Now on Best Buy

It may be a few years old, but the Sony a6100 mirrorless camera, which comes with a very compact 16-50mm kit lens, is still a very capable camera. It has a 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS image sensor, can shoot 4K-resoution video, and offers a very versatile autofocus system. Unlike some Sony a-series cameras, this model doesn’t have in-body stabilization, which may be a deal-breaker for some. It was originally priced at $1,100 and is available from Best Buy for $699, which is very good price for this digital camera. Buy now and save 36 percent.

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Sigma Lenses $50–$200 off

Buy Now on sigma photo

Sigma makes third-party lenses that fit full-frame and APC-size-sensor mirrorless cameras from major brands like Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, and others. Recently Sigma announced Black Friday instant savings deals on 14 lenses, running through December 10. You can save anywhere from $50 to $200 on a variety of prime and zoom models.

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$20–$150 off BenQ computer monitors

Buy Now on benq

For those who want a high-quality computer monitor, BenQ has a number of models that are worth a look. The company also makes projectors and related products. And starting November 15, you can find some items for up to $500 off. Plus, if you shop on the BenQ website from November 24 through 27, you can get an extra 15 percent off on select products if you become a BenQ member. See the website for more information.

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It’s Cyber Monday! Many US retailers have marked down selected wares, including art and craft supplies. To help you parse the offerings, we’ll be tracking some of the best deals on artists’ tools, from pastels to tablets, to give as gifts or to keep for yourself.

We will be updating this page, so check in with us often. A word of advice: Move fast, as many of these products will sell out quickly. (All prices current at time of publication.)

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How we pick each product:
Our mission is to recommend the most appropriate artists’ tool or supply for your needs. Whether you are looking for top-of-the line equipment or beginners’ basics, we’ll make sure that you get good value for your money by doing the research for you. We scour the Internet for information on how art supplies are used and read customer reviews by real users; we ask experts for their advice; and of course, we rely on our own accumulated expertise as artists, teachers, and craftspeople.

SAVE ON TECH GEAR AND CAMERAS

This Cyber Monday there’s lots of great tech for artists, collectors, and galleries on sale. Check out our Black Friday deals on electronics, photography equipment, and software, and more here.

SAVE ON HELPING THE PLANET

30% off Terracycle Zero Waste boxes

$108.50–171.50 $155.00–245.00 30% off

Buy Now on terracycle

Terracycle’s Zero Waste Boxes help keep trash that can’t typically be recycled by curbside recycling services out of landfills and incinerators. With a Zero Waste Box for just about anything you can imagine, the company makes it easy to recycle beauty supplies, plastic packaging, coffee capsules, and lots more. Just fill the box, tape it up, and send it back using the prepaid shipping label. Their boxes, however, can be expensive. This weekend, get 30 percent off any box, including this one, which is ideal for art studios and classrooms.

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SAVE ON ART-THEMED PUZZLES

20% off Pomegranate jigsaw puzzles

Buy Now on Pomegranate

Who doesn’t enjoy a good jigsaw puzzle? It’s a great pastime that can relieve stress, and it doesn’t involve a computer screen. And they make a great gift for the puzzle fanatic in your life. The independent publisher Pomegranate faithfully reproduces fine-art masterpieces in its sturdy, well-cut puzzles. Shop puzzles based on works by Georges Seurat, Edward Hopper, Henri Matisse, Faith Ringgold, Alma Thomas, and others, and save up to 30%.

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SAVE ON ART GIFTS

20% off Museum of Modern Art Design Store merchandise

Buy Now on MOMA

If you are shopping for an art lover in your life, you can’t do much better than the Museum of Modern Art Design Store, which carries exhibition catalogs, artist and exhibition merch, home goods, accessories, and more. Save 20% storewide this weekend on items like this stuffed pumpkin based on a Yayoi Kusama artwork.

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SAVE ON ONLINE ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES

50% off Master Class memberships (billed monthly) ***Deal Ends Today!***

Buy Now on Masterclass

You’ve most likely seen one of the commercials for MasterClass, the online education subscription service that gets celebrities from to record tutorials on a wide range of topics from cooking to science to philosophy. Instructors include musician Alicia Keys, chef Gordon Ramsay, editor and fashion icon Anna Wintour, comedian and actor Steve Martin, and other luminaries. For a limited time, you can buy one MasterClass annual membership and get an additional annual membership free.

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SAVE ON ARTIST’S SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

Blick is having an in-store holiday sale through December 24, but you can also find great deals online through its cyber sale. Many of the best deals are on student-grade tools and supplies, so if you are on a budget or just starting out, this is an especially good sale for you. Here are some bargains that caught our eye.

46% off a Canson XL Fluid Mixed Media Pad, 9 x 12"

$8.84 $16.25 46% off

Buy Now on dick blick

We love Canson’s XL mixed-media paper, which can be used with both dry and wet media and is bright white and acid free. At 250 gsm, this paper is almost twice as thick as Canson’s regular mixed-media paper, making it durable enough to use for heavier applications of wet media. Save 50% on a 9 x 12″ pad.

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50% off Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolors, set of 24

$53.99 $109.49 51% off

Buy Now on Dick Blick

Take 50% off Winsor & Newton’s stutio watercolor set from its Cotman line. Cotmans are student-grade paints that provide strong, non-grainy color and good transparency. Notably, they have excellent lightfastness ratings, so you can use them in final pieces without fear of fading. This set features 24 full pans of Cotman paint in a practical range of colors, all in a lightweight plastic case.

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45% off Holbein tube watercolors, set of 12

$47.71 $86.75 45% off

Buy Now on DIck Blick

If tube watercolors are more your style, this set of 12 from the premier brand Holbein offers all the colors needed for landscape painting.

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45% off Holbein Acryla gouache, set of 12 colors

$59.40 $108 45% off

Buy Now on Dick blick

Save 45% on Holbein’s student-grade acrylic gouache paints. Unlike professional gouaches, which use gum arabic as a binder, this gouache uses fast-drying acrylic. The set of 20 ml tubes contains one tube each of 12 essential colors: Carmine, Scarlet, Deep Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Light Green, Viridian, Ultramarine Blue, Sky Blue, Violet, Burnt Sienna, Jet Black, and Titanium White.

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57% off Winsor & Newton ProMarkers, set of 48

$99.99 $231.49 57% off

Buy Now on dick blick

Winsor & Newton Promarkers, which are filled with high-performance, alcohol-based ink, are on sale, and you can save the most when you buy large sets of 48. Promarkers blend and layer very well, and also allow you to dilute the intensity of a hue. They’re a great cost-saving alternative to pricier Copics, and at these prices, even Prismacolor Premiers. Take 56% off this dual-tip set of essential colors.

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40% off a Rembrandt oil color set

$291.57 $485.95 40% off

Buy Now on dick blick

Take 40 % off this oil paint starter set, which contains 15 colors in 15 ml tubes, plus charcoal sticks, 2 hog-bristle brushes, one 75 ml bottle of painting medium, a wooden palette, and a double palette cup. It’s all packed in a handsome wooden box, making it a thoughtful gift for any aspiring artist.

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SAVE ON TOOLS FOR THE STUDIO

Buy Now on Conway $189.99

Keep your studio air healthier and smelling better with a Conway air purifier, which captures allergens like pollen, smoke, and mold spores and also reduces organic compounds.

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20% off a Ridgid shop vac

$119.00 $149.00 20% off

Buy Now on HOme Depot

Ridgid shop vacs are well-reviewed wet/dry vacuums ideal for art studios, woodshops, and other workspaces. This powerful, high-capacity 16-gallon model comes with a plethora of attachments and a debris filter.

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34% off a Craftsman two-drill set

$99.00 $149.00 34% off

Buy Now on lowes

Take 34% off a Craftsman 20-volt power tool combo kit of two drills. Today’s cordless drills are incredibly powerful, handy and versatile, and they’re also easy to hold and carry. This two-set drill combo kit from Craftsman comes with a 20V drill/driver and 20V impact driver. Both are lightweight, compact, and are easy to handle. They come with a soft storage bag, batteries, charger and accessories.

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SAVE ON PRODUCTS FOR CRAFTING

Michael’s Black Friday sale on craft supplies is in full swing, with great deals on everything from beads to framing. And don’t forget the items on Michael’s weekly ad. Pro tip: download the store’s app to easily browse newly released offers. Here are some of our picks for what to buy:

Up to 40% off artist paper pads

Buy Now ON MICHAELS

Save up to 40% on all artist paper pads, including drawing, sketching, and watercolor pads from Strathmore and our favorite mixed-media pad from Canson.

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Up to 40% off fine art markers, pens, and pencils

Buy Now on MICHAELS

Save up to 40% on markers, pens, and pencils, including Gelly Roll markers, Prismacolor Premier colored pencils, Copic Sketch markers, and Tombo dual-brush pens.

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Up to 40% off paint and painting supplies

Buy Now

Save up to 40% on fine-art painting supplies from Liquitex, Gamblin, Pebeo, and more.

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Looking for a gift for an artist friend or a child in art school? Here is a list of a dozen things we think every artist, whether they work in traditional media or a less conventional medium, should keep on hand, along with our with our recommendations for specific products culled from past reviews. Many make quite affordable gifts, and even if the recipient already has a well-stocked studio, a really good tool is always appreciated. Consider combining a few items to make a useful kit. (Prices current at time of publication.)

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Please note that these tools are for general use. You can find our reviews of more specialized materials and tools here.

How we pick each product:

Our mission is to recommend the most appropriate artists’ tool or supply for your needs. Whether you are looking for top-of-the line equipment or beginners’ basics, we’ll make sure that you get good value for your money by doing the research for you. We scour the Internet for information on how art supplies are used and read customer reviews by real users; we ask experts for their advice; and of course, we rely on our own accumulated expertise as artists, teachers, and craftspeople.

1. PAPER
There are innumerable types of artists’ papers on the market. Smooth-surfaced processed paper is probably the best for sketching with pen or pencil. A good mixed-media pad is the most versatile and comes in handy in most situations.

ARTnews Recommends: Strathmore 500 Series Heavyweight Mixed Media Pads

Acid- and lignin-free, this 100% cotton paper has a slightly textured vellum surface. Each gluebound pad contains 12 sheets of natural white paper.

Budget Pick: Canson XL Series Mix Media Pad

Bright white and thick, Canson’s mixed-media paper takes dry media, from pencils to charcoal, very well. You have to exercise more caution, though, with wet media such as watercolors and ink, as the surface can warp with too much liquid.

2. PENCILS
Wooden or mechanical, soft lead or hard, pencils are vital components of any artist’s arsenal. Both sets below come with a sharpener and eraser.

ARTnews Recommends: Tombow Mono Drawing Pencil Set

If you’ve ever known the special frustration that accompanies a pencil that won’t sharpen evenly, you’ll appreciate the inverse joy of finding a pencil that does. From Japanese artist supply company Tombow, these pencils feature precisely centered lead cores that are adhered to the cedar wood barrel. Cedar wood is hard, so it shaves away cleanly and smoothly, exposing a sharp point. This set contains 12 pencils in degrees from a soft 6B to a hard 4H.

Another Option: General’s Semi-Hex Graphite Drawing Pencils

With a hexagonal shaft made of hard cedar painted dark blue, the pencils in this soft-grade set of four range from HB to 6B.

3. PENS
The most practical type are pens with pigment-based ink that will not bleed or run if liquids are spilled on it or if watercolors or other paints are applied after the ink has dried. Many artist pens come in a range of tip sizes.

ARTnews Recommends: Sakura Pigma Micron Pens

Designed in the early 1980s as an inexpensive delivery system for their patented pigment-based ink, Sakura’s Pigma Micron pen, with its familiar beige barrel and gear-shaped top, remains the best-quality disposable drawing pen in its class. Permanent, fade resistant, chemically stable, bleed free, and run-proof once dry, Sakura’s archival-quality Pigma ink makes the Micron the go-to tool not only for artists, but for anyone concerned with preserving their work. This set comes with three pens, each with a different fine to medium-fine tip size: 0.1mm, 0.3mm, and 0.5mm.

A Great Alternative: Le Pen

Behold LePen, a longtime favorite of pen geeks. Unlike our other choices, this super-slim, fine-line marker comes in only one weight (0.3mm in technical-pen speak). However, if you’re a writer who gets attached to a particular kind of pen, or a draftsman who needs only one line width for your work, this just might become your new favorite implement. The midrange nib size is useful for writing and drawing, but be warned—the ink, though a strong black, is not waterproof. This pack contains four pens.

4. WORK LIGHT
The best work lights let you control the brightness and distribution of light on your desk or workstation. Some LED lamps allow you to adjust the color temperature to give you warmer or cooler light.

ARTnews Recommends:

We are fans of the original Luxo Combination Task Lamp, which holds both a 22W circular fluorescent bulb and a 14W compact fluorescent bulb that can be used together or individually. The spring-balanced arm extends to 45 inches, and the angle of the head can be adjusted in any direction, for getting the best light possible on your work.

Budget pick: IKEA Forså Work Lamp

This enormously popular task lamp takes an E14 LED bulb (sold separately) is available in turquoise (actually a cool gray), beige, and nickel-plated finishes, the last suiting its bulbous retro styling. While not as sturdy as the Luxo, the Forså also has a spring-loaded arm with three different hinges, as well as an adjustable head. Those who dislike edge clamps will like its heavy base.

5. BRUSHES
These can be divided into brushes best suited for drawing lines, for applying colors, and for creating gradations and shading, so a mix of widths and tip styles is recommended. Excellent synthetic alternatives to animal hair can be found, many of which are applicable to a range of uses.

ARTnews Recommends: Princeton Velvetouch Series 3950 Synthetic Brush Set

Truly all-purpose brushes, Princeton’s synthetic brushes can be used for acrylic, oil, or watercolor paints. This set of four short-handled brushes includes a #4 round brush, a #8 long round brush, a 3/8-inch angle shader, and a 3/4-inch wash brush.

Budget Pick: Blick Essentials Craft Value Brush Set

If you tend to go through a lot of brushes, or just need a wider variety without breaking the bank, consider this set of 25 brushes in all shapes, sizes, and bristle types, most of which, with care, can be used with a range of media.

6. STRAIGHT-EDGE RULER
Not just for architects and draftspeople, a long straight-edge ruler has infinite uses in the studio, from guiding cutting knives to drawing long, straight lines.

ARTnews Recommends: Starrett Straight-Edge Aluminum Rule

Even on a student’s budget, there’s no excuse for not getting yourself a high-quality tool with Starrett’s durable, affordable, 48-inch-long, straight-edge ruler. Made from anodized aluminum, it has a hole for hanging, which is the best way to prevent warping.

Pair Your Straightedge with a Drafting Triangle (Again, Not Just for Draftspeople): Westcott C-Thru Professional Triangles

Westcott’s smoke-tinted professional-grade triangles feature beveled inking edges to prevent smears, and a cut-out center for easy lifting.

7. NOTEBOOK
Helpful for jotting down notes, sketching out ideas, or even making presentations, notebooks come in a wide range of formats and sizes.

ARTnews Recommends:

If you know your notebooks, you know that Rhodia’s have a cult following—and for good reason. They are bound with high-quality, smooth European paper that is ideal for taking fountain pen ink. The legacy brand, in business since 1934, offers options in a wide range of formats and sizes, including this hardcover journal with a rigid faux-leather cover, inner pocket, and blank pages.

Budget Pick: Muji Recycled Paper Double-Ring Plain Notebook

Popular with architects, artists, and designers, Muji’s super-affordable spiral notebook is bound with 80 sheets of 8.3-by-5.8-inch blank recycled paper. Available in buff or dark grey.

8. CUTTING TOOL
Some artists still use single-edge razor blades, but we recommend something with a handle, for safety’s sake. A good utility knife should be one you want to reach for over and over again. Deploy it for general everyday tasks, like opening cardboard boxes and slicing tape, or more specialized projects in the studio, like cutting canvas panels or trimming fabrics. When choosing a knife, it’s important to think not only about sharpness but also comfort and security. We’ve done the research for you; check out our favorites below. 

ARTnews Recommends (For Heavy Work): Olfa Snap-Off Blade Utility Knife

The first thing to know about Olfa’s knife is that it’s loaded with an extremely sharp blade. Just one stroke is needed to slice smoothly thoroughly a cardboard box. The carbon steel metal also stays sharp for a very long time, but when you’re ready for a new one, simply snap off the blunt end to reveal a fresh edge: The knife is loaded with a long blade divided into eight 8mm sections. These are rigid, thin to provide precision, and highly resilient.

We Also Like (For Fine Work): X-Acto #1 Knife Set

No art or craft studio is complete without at least one X-Acto knife for precise cutting. X-Acto’s standard #1 knife is the go-to knife when it comes to finicky cutting, and this set comes with one handle plus three #11 blades, one #10, one #16, and one #17 blade.

9. TAPE
Multipurpose artist’s tape is always useful. But you’ll also need a stronger tape for general use.

ARTnews Recommends (Artist’s Tape): Blick Artist Tape

Formulated with a positionable adhesive, this artist’s tape won’t leave residue or tear your paper. It’s also easy to write on and comes in six colors, making it ideal for labeling.

We Also Like (Gummed Tape): Kraft Paper Tape

Eco-friendly and forming a stronger, longer-lasting bond with cardboard than than plastic packing tape, water-activated gummed paper tape is gallery and museum preparators’ choice for packing art, as well as for sealing the backs of frames.

10. GLUE
Artists use many different types of adhesives, but here are two basics that every studio should have.

ARTnews Recommends (PVA): Lineco Neutral PH Adhesive

Polyvinyl acetate, or PVA, is just another term for white glue. A rubbery synthetic polymer with adhesive properties, polyvinyl acetate emulsion is PH neutral, water-soluble, and dries clear. It’s perfect for woodworking, bookbinding, handicrafts, and wallpapering. It’s also useful for sizing a porous medium such as canvas or wood or sealing a finished collage—just cover the surface in a layer of polyvinyl acetate. For projects using very thin paper, PVA can be diluted with one part water to three parts glue. For all these gluing, sealing, and priming tasks, PVA is handy to keep around. Lineco’s version is buffered and has excellent “lay flat” properties.

Another Option (Epoxy): Gorilla 2-Part Epoxy

It’s never a bad idea to keep epoxy in your home or studio. The most common consumer-grade epoxies are two-part epoxies, which keep the resin and hardener separate until it’s time to use them. For jobs that require you to hold the pieces together, a quick-set epoxy is the best choice. Gorilla’s dispenser is fitted with two syringes and a plunger that dispenses both liquids at once in equal amounts out of separate nozzles. The result is a clear, super-tough epoxy that sets in just five minutes and cures in about a day.

11. SCISSORS
We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to have a good pair of scissors. It’s nearly impossible to list all the various uses for a pair around the studio, but everyone knows the specific frustration of using dull, weak, or uncomfortable ones.

ARTnews Recommends: Kai 8-Inch Dressmaking Shears

Japanese scissors are supposed to be the best (thanks to the country’s long tradition of blade making), and Kai’s are ultrasharp and beautifully balanced. Plus, they’re comfortable to hold and come in versions for both right- and left-handed users.

Also a Good Option: Fiskars “The Original” 8-Inch Orange-Handled Scissors

“The Original” is in the name because just about everybody remembers when these orange scissors were ubiquitous fabric cutters in American households. They don’t feature soft grips or titanium-coated blades, but these industry standards prove that good design sometimes matters just as much as cutting edge (sorry) innovations.

12. TOOL KIT
Almost every artist, regardless of what medium/media he or she works with, will eventually need a set of common household tools. You never know when you may have to assemble a frame, hang a work of art, or nail an installation setup together.

ARTnews Recommends (For Household Use): Apollo Tools 39-Piece Hand Tool Set

This kit features an 8-ounce claw hammer, pliers, tape measure, utility knife, bit driver plus 20 bits, screwdrivers, hex keys, scissors, and more, all in a compact storage case.

We Also Like (For Crafting): Garrett Wade 26-Piece Crafts Kit

This 26-piece basic kit includes all you need for small crafts work, including bench vise, hand vise, clamps, caliper, picks, probes, tweezers, flat and needle-nose pliers, and a polished mini steel anvil.

Amazon’s second Prime Day event of the year, Prime Big Deal Days, began Tuesday at midnight PST and will run through 11:59 pm PST tonight. Over those 48 hours, Amazon is offering thousands of deals across all shopping categories, including art supplies and equipment.

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To take advantage of most these deals, though, you have to be an Amazon Prime subscriber. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 a month. Its benefits include faster shipping on Amazon orders, discounts at Whole Foods, and access to Amazon’s streaming entertainment. As an alternative, you can pick up a free 30-day trial of Prime here in time to shop the sale.

See below for great deals on some of our favorite art materials and tools, and don’t forget to check out discounts on electronics and other equipment for the studio here. Many of these deals are lightning deals, lasting only a few hours. These products go fast, so the time to snap them up is surely now.

***NEW TODAY*** Staedtler Mars Lumograph Graphite Sketch Set
Buy for $6.62 and save 34% with a Prime membership (LIGHTNING DEAL!)

Serious artists will appreciate that Staedtler has softer and harder pencils than most other high-quality lines, but for the traveler or casual sketcher, this compact set of 6 pencils in popular hardnesses, with eraser and sharpener included, is ideal. We note that Lumograph pencils, some of our favorite pencils, are sturdy, consistent, and smooth.

***NEW TODAY*** Handmade Watercolor Paper, 50 sheets, various sizes
Save up to 36% with a Prime membersip (LIGHTNING DEAL!)

These packs of textured, deckle-edged paper from India would make a handsome gift for any artist or craftsperson. Choose from five sizes, from 6×4″ to 16×12″ (the discounts grow smaller as the sheet size gets larger).

***NEW TODAY*** Neenah Card Stock

***NEW TODAY*** Pilot B2B Refillable Gel Pen, Blue, Pack of 12
Buy for $13.96 and save 49% with a Prime membership

Pilot’s beloved G2 pens stand out for the life span of their ink cartridge, which is quite lengthy compared with the competition, and for ink that lays down smoothly without skipping or smearing. The company’s B2P pen, in addition to using the same ink, has a sturdy barrel made of 89% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. The pen’s point advances and retracts with a solid click of the end cap button, and its ribbed grip provides comfortable handling (though it is not as comfortable as the G2’s rubberized version).  The pen comes with a G2 0.7-millimeter cartridge and is refillable with G2 ink cartridges, making it a doubly environmentally friendly choice. (12-packs of black pens are also on sale as well as replacement cartridges in blue and black.)

***NEW TODAY*** Chandler Hearvy Duty Glue Gun
Buy for $17.97 and save up to 52% with a Prime membership

If you are looking for a quality glue gun, Chandler Tool’s 100-watt model is a stand-up choice—literally. This hot glue gun’s calling card is its flat base, making it easy to pick up and set aside; no need to tip the gun onto a wire stand or lay it flat on your table. It comes in six colors (all of them on sale), and its insulated, no-drip nozzle keeps the glue hot and your fingers unscathed. Each gun comes with a dozen 7/16-inch glue sticks.

***NEW TODAY*** Uniball Signo 207 Impact Stick Rollerball Gel Pen, 1.0 mm, Black, 12-Pack
Buy for $15.63 and save 55% with a Prime membership (LIGHTNING DEAL!)

From our very favorite line of gel pens, the Uniball Signo 207 Impact Stick features the Signo’s legendary smooth-flowing, acid-free, fade- and water-resistant ink. The 1.0 mm nib delivers a bold line, and the padded grip makes for comfortable writing.

***NEW TODAY*** Aykasa Collapsable Storage Crates (Small and Medium)
Buy for $9.95–$22.95 and save 23%–29%

Most artists are cursed with an abundance of supplies and the responsibility of keeping everything organized. These collapsible, stackable plastic crates in 50 dreamy colors (most of which are on sale) will hold it all and liven up any studio or home at the same time. They can be coordinated for easy customization and fold up flat when they aren’t needed. Note that the large size is not on sale.

***NEW TODAY*** Zebra bLen Retractable Gel Pen, 2-Pack
Buy for $5.35 and save 26% with a Prime membership

A collaboration between the venerable Japanese pen manufacturer Zebra and Japanese-Canadian designer Sato Oki, this pen isn’t just a beautiful object—it’s been engineered to provide a smooth, comfortable writing experience. It’s loaded with fast-drying gel ink and has a rubber grip to prevent hand fatigue. And it is refillable. This pack contains 2 pens.

Arrow Electric Staple Gun Kit
Buy for $39.99 and save 33% with a Prime membership

If your work involves a lot of stapling, invest in a corded staple gun! This one, from noted manufacturer Arrow, will see you through, whether you are a painter, carpenter, upholsterer, or craftsperson.

40-Roll Washi Tape Set
Buy for $6.64 and save 34% with a Prime membership

Washi tape is one of those things you don’t think you need . . . until it proves addictive. Simply called masking tape in Japan, this decorative, low-tack tape replicates the patterns and textures of traditional Japanese washi—a handmade paper made from the bark of shrubs such as mulberry, or kozo and painted or printed in intricate designs. While this tape is thinner and less adhesive than better brands, this set of 40 rolls in assorted colors is ideal for school projects or playtime.

Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine
Buy for $284 and save 25% with a Prime Membership

This is a great deal on a great beginner embroidery machine. It has a 4-by-4-inch embroidery hoop, perfect for small projects like patches, and boasts 80 preloaded designs and 9 built-in fonts, making it very easy to jump right into embroidery. The PE535 has a USB port that allows for you to easily upload your unique designs and a large LCD touchscreen so you can preview them first. Note that this machine only does embroidery. It is not a sewing machine.

Edding 400 1.0 mm Permanent Markers, 10 Colors
Buy for $10.90 and save 36% with a Prime membership

From the German company Edding come these high-quality, fine-line permanent markers. Use them to make labels, sign work, or in any situation where you want a line similar to that of a standard ballpoint pen. The fast-drying ink won’t smear, fade, or wash away and the pen can can write on a variety of surfaces, including cardboard, wood, plastic, metal, and glass. This set brings you 10 brilliant colors.

Plantactic Biodegradable Raffia Ribbon
Buy for $5.11 and save 36% with a Prime membership

Because Christmas. In red, green, and natural.

Pilot G2 Gel Pens, Bold Point, 1 mm
Buy for $18.57 and save 43%

One of our favorite pens, in one of our favorite point sizes. This is a pack of 14 bold-point pens in 12 bold colors. (Or choose a single-color pack of 14 bold-point pens in black, blue, red, or navy—we are fond of the navy, which approximates classic fountain-pen blue—also on sale.) G2 pens are refillable, and so better for the planet. A great gift for writers and journal keepers.

AT-A-GLANCE Large 2024 15-Month Monthly Planner
Buy for $15.32 and save 32% with a Prime membership

Planners sell out fast, so take advantage of the discount on this no-nonsense, wire-bound planner dated from January 2024 to December 2024. The 1 9/16-by-1 5/8-inch boxes provide ample space for deadlines and reminders, and there are extra pages for notes. We love that it lays flat and features super-smooth paper that resists bleeding from inky pens.

rOtring 800 Mechanical Pencil, 0.5 mm
Buy for $32.40 and save 29% with a Prime membership

Never requiring sharpening, mechanical pencils let you work for hours without distraction. With its solid all-metal construction and retractible lead sleeve, this covetable fine-point mechanical pencil is a thoughtful gift for the architect or draftsperson in your life.

Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen
Buy for $11.95 and save 43% with a Prime membership

Ideal for travel, this durable pocket brush pen is designed for calligraphy and brush painting but is also suitable for quick sketches. Because the pen uses cartridges, the ink flow is smooth and consistent. Cartridges are loaded with pigment ink that is both fade and water resistant, and this set includes one refill.

Waterman Expert Fountain Pen
Buy for $49.72 and save 44% with a Prime membership

This popular pen, made in France, makes a great gift for writers. Add a bottle of Waterman ink (also on sale) for a truly elegant presentation. (The rather more expensive fine-nib version of this pen is also on sale here.)

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Are you curious about colored pencils as a medium? Has your child graduated from crayons and looking for something a little more grown-up to color with? Then a set of good-quality student-grade colored pencils is a must. It can be overwhelming finding the right one, however, as many colored pencils are geared toward pros. But for those just starting out, regardless of their age, pencils for beginners—while not necessarily lightfast—will suffice. Read on for our top picks of starter sets, which all come with at least two dozen colors.

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How we pick each product:
Our mission is to recommend the most appropriate artists’ tool or supply for your needs. Whether you are looking for top-of-the line equipment or beginners’ basics, we’ll make sure that you get good value for your money by doing the research for you. We scour the Internet for information on how art supplies are used and read customer reviews by real users; we ask experts for their advice; and of course, we rely on our own accumulated expertise as artists, teachers, and craftspeople.

ARTnews RECOMMENDS
Prismacolor Scholar Art Pencils, Set of 24
These student-grade pencils from the biggest name in colored pencils sit at the top of our list for many reasons. First, they are economical, at a little more than 50 cents a pencil. Secondly, they deliver rich, blendable color that can lay down lightly or intensely. Their cores are softer than Prismacolor’s premier line of colored pencils, allowing students to practice blending colors, but they nevertheless resist breakage. This set also comes in a durable plastic case that opens to double as an upright holder you can stand on your desk.

WE ALSO LIKE
Derwent Academy Colored Pencil Sets
These rather highbrow sets may not be an intuitive buy for little artists, but it cinches the next spot on our list for a few reasons. First off—and this is a big one—these pencils come in a sturdy tin, so you can bid farewell to flimsy, dirty cardboard boxes. The pencils themselves are simply gorgeous: brilliantly hued 3.3-millimeter leads in a glossy black casing, finished with correspondingly colored ends. They’re a worthy purchase for the whole family. Because Derwent’s colored pencils are a step up from our first pick, expect to shell out a little more for these 12- and 24-pencil sets. Are they worth every penny? You bet.

EDUCATORS’ CHOICE
Sargent Art Color Pencils
Sargent Art’s colored pencil set is a budget-friendly choice that is especially good for pre-k or elementary students. They don’t require a lot of pressure to create marks, but the cores can withstand a good amount of force should kids push down hard. The colors may not be as vibrant as others on our list, but the tips glide across paper and are capable of producing sharp, crisp lines. This set of 36 colors offers enough hues for all but the most ambitious budding artist.

ALSO CONSIDER
Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Oil-Based Colored Pencils and Sets
If you want a set that is slightly more sophisticated but still suitable for students and beginners, we recommend Lyra’s pencils. They feature oil-based cores densely loaded with pigments that disperse effortlessly over paper with no wax buildup. Vibrant and blendable, the pencils offer good lightfastness, with ratings for each color printed inside the included tin.

A GREAT ALTERNATIVE
Prang Duo-Color Colored Pencil Sets
Yes, this is a two-in-one pencil. No, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but the novelty of a double-ended pencil is sure to thrill your little ones. These used to be the holy grail at crafting parties and in elementary school art class. Now, they can be yours in sets of 6, 12, or 18. You have to admit, two colors for the price of one is a darn good deal. Of course, each color will be half the length of a full-size colored pencil; consider these a creative and economical option if you’ve never known the sad sight of a totally whittled-down Sky Blue.

Overwhelmed by which pen to buy? That’s understandable, considering that there are many types of pens, not to mention hundreds of different brands and designs within these types. Consider the gel pen, which offers a pleasurable and user-friendly writing experience. Like ballpoint and rollerball pens, they feature a small revolving ball at the tip that deposits ink from the pen’s reservoir to the paper. The difference is while ballpoint pens use thick, oil-based inks, and rollerballs use a free-flowing, water- and dye-based ink, gel pens use ink made of pigment in a water-based gel made from xanthan gum and polyacrylate thickeners. What you get are particularly vibrant lines that flow smoothly so you can apply less pressure as you write. They are also generally the best pick for signing documents because of their pigment load, which makes your checks and other vital documents resistant to tampering. The ink does tend to take a bit longer to dry, however, which can be a problem for lefties (but see the Zebra Sarasa below). Dive into some of our favorites in this family, below.

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How we pick each product:
Our mission is to recommend the most appropriate artists’ tool or supply for your needs. Whether you are looking for top-of-the line equipment or beginners’ basics, we’ll make sure that you get good value for your money by doing the research for you. We scour the Internet for information on how art supplies are used and read customer reviews by real users; we ask experts for their advice; and of course, we rely on our own accumulated expertise as artists, teachers, and craftspeople.

BEST ALL-AROUND GEL PEN
Uni-Ball Signo UM-151
A constant favorite of pen lovers, this pen features rounded tips that allow it to skate trouble-free across paper. It comes in a wide variety of tip sizes to suit just about any project.

Some might say the Uni-ball Signo is the mullet of pens. Okay, maybe we’re the only ones saying that. But consider this: The Uni-ball Signo is equal parts business and party. The smooth-flowing gel ink is waterproof, fade-proof, and archival, making it perfect for assignments, drawings, and so many other projects. On the party side, it comes in a rainbow of colors, including subdued “near black” hues, bold primaries, and sweet pastels, plus a huge range of tip sizes. This practical set of 12 comes with six medium-point pens (0.7 millimeters) in black and six in blue.

QUICKEST DRYING INK
Zebra Sarasa Dry x1 
The ink in this pen is formulated to reduce the odds of smearing.

Miraculously, this is a gel pen with ink that dries almost instantly. This makes it a smart pick for young students who may be a little impatient, but also for left-handers who have to take extra care when moving across the page from left to right. The high-tech ink lays down smoothly and consistently. You can hold it comfortably for an extended period, thanks to its rubberized grip and wide barrel. These pens come in just 0.7-millimeter tips, although you can choose from 14 colors. We like this basic pack of 12 black pens.

BEST ERASABLE GEL PEN
PILOT FriXion Clicker Pens 
These pens exist to undo any mess without damaging books or important documents.

These special implements combine the sophistication and vibrancy of pens with the utility of pencils. They lay down marks that are erasable, thanks to their special thermo-sensitive ink, which turns clear when exposed to increased temperature—in other words, the friction created by erasing. Truly, no trace is left behind. Each features a 0.7-millimeter nib and a rounded rubber end that you have to use to create the right pressure; a regular eraser, unfortunately, won’t be compatible. But one pro is that “erasing” doesn’t leave any residue, unlike pencils. We have to note one fun thing kids can do with these pens: If you write and then erase a message on paper, freezing that sheet will make the ink reappear. Go wild with secret messages with this set of 10 pens in assorted colors.

BEST WHITE GEL PEN
Uni-Ball Signo Gel Ink Rollerball Pen
Use these juicy pens, which offer excellent coverage, to correct unwanted marks or draw on black paper.

If you’re looking for a pen to write on dark paper or to add highlights to your artwork, perhaps you need one that’s loaded with white ink. We’re fans of this white gel pen, which comes from our favored brand, Uni-Ball. The nib delivers ink consistently and smoothly with negligible scratchiness, and the white is dependably opaque to produce uniform lines that stand out very well on the page. These pens also offer comfort, with a low-profile rubber grip.

BEST FOR DOODLING
Sakura Gelly Roll Classic
Beloved by artists and crafters, these pens have achieved a cult following for their wide variety of colors and finishes.

A favorite of students in the ’90s, these adorable pens will never go out of style. In fact, they were the very first gel ink pen to hit the market. They do skip from time to time, but they outshine the competition in the sheer number of colors you can buy. This classic set of 10, for instance, comes in practical colors like blues, reds, and black, but you can purchase Gelly Rolls in metallic sets, pastel sets (marketed as “Souffle”) and even as a glittery assortment (“Stardust Galaxy”). We’re also huge fans of the minimal design—these are, after all, from Japan—consisting of a round matte cap and translucent chamber.

MOST ECO-FRIENDLY GEL PEN
Pilot B2P Bottle 2 Pen
This pen uses the same ink as Pilot’s beloved G-2 pen but has a barrel made of recycled plastic bottles.

Pilot’s beloved G2 pens stand out for the life span of their ink cartridge, which is quite lengthy compared with the competition, and for ink that lays down smoothly without skipping or smearing. The company’s B2P pen, in addition to using the same ink, has a sturdy barrel made of 89% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. The pen’s point advances and retracts with a solid click of the end cap button, and its ribbed grip provides comfortable handling (though it is not as comfortable as the G2’s rubberized version).  The pen comes with a G2 0.7-millimeter cartridge in black, blue, or red and is refillable with G2 ink cartridges, making it a doubly environmentally friendly choice. We recommend this pack of four pens loaded with black ink.

RICHEST PIGMENTATION
Pentel EnerGel Pro Permanent Gel Ink Pen
These pens are loaded with opaque, quick-drying ink of unparalleled vibrancy and permanence.

Like our top pick, the Pentel EnerGel Pro is archival, featuring ink that is fade- and waterproof. In fact, consider it a slight upgrade to the Uni-Ball Signo UM-151, because its ink is a touch more smooth-flowing and faster drying. These are intensely pigmented pens; however, they come in just two nib sizes, 0.5 or 0.7 millimeters, and just three colors—blue, black and red. This listing is for two black 0.7-millimeter pens.

Never requiring sharpening, mechanical pencils let you work for hours without interruption, no matter how hard you tend to press down on the page. The ones we’ve chosen here all hold 0.7mm leads, a useful lead size that’s ideal for day-to-day writing and sketching, as well as less detailed technical drawing. And since 0.7mm leads are popular, refills are available in a wide range of grades, from soft to hard, and in a range of colors. With their durable construction and ergonomically designed grips, these pencils will last through your most labor-intensive projects.

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How we pick each product:
Our mission is to recommend the most appropriate artists’ tool or supply for your needs. Whether you are looking for top-of-the line equipment or beginners’ basics, we’ll make sure that you get good value for your money by doing the research for you. We scour the Internet for information on how art supplies are used and read customer reviews by real users; we ask experts for their advice; and of course, we rely on our own accumulated expertise as artists, teachers, and craftspeople.

ARTnews RECOMMENDS
Pentel Twist-Erase III Automatic Pencil
This sturdy mechanical pencil comes with an extra eraser and extra HB leads.

This pencil comes with either a red or black barrel (unfortunately the customer does not get to choose the color), an additional long-lasting eraser, and extra leads. The HB lead (equivalent to a #2 pencil’s) creates precise dark lines when put to paper, and it won’t break easily. The pencil’s soft grip makes it comfortable to hold for hours without cramping or tiring. With a long nib so you can see what you are doing, an easy twist-up eraser, Pentel’s high-performance leads, and a sturdy body that will survive multiple refills of leads and erasers, this is our go-to pencil.

WE ALSO LIKE
Paper Mate Clearpoint Mechanical Pencil Starter Set
Students! Write for hours with this comfortable pencil, which comes in a budget-friendly bulk pack.

With this pack of three mechanical pencils, you also get two extra jumbo erasers and one additional lead set. The HB lead is easily dispensed by clicking a convenient button on the pencil’s side. What’s more, the textured grip on these pencils will make for happy hands, and the erasers on these pencils will do a thorough job.

ARTISTS’ CHOICE
Pilot Color Eno Automatic Mechanical Pencil
This pack of eight durable pencils offers rainbow of bright colors.

The candy-colored mechanical pencils in this pack of eight have rubber grips so you can keep working all day long. The leads are the same colors as the sturdy, protective barrels, making this an especially great choice for artists. They write smoothly and can easily produce different shades, though note that the leads are quite hard. The clicker functions smoothly and releases a perfect amount of lead each time—just enough to use without making you feel like you’ll snap the tip. Each features an eraser on the end, though note that some colors erase more readily than others and you might want to purchase a better quality eraser. Extra leads are available here.

PROFESSIONALS’ CHOICE
Uni Kurutoga Mechanical Pencil
With lead rotation for crisp lines, this expertly designed tool helps you stay in your creative zone.

This sleek pencil, with its icy blue body, offers a truly unique writing or drawing experience. It features a mechanism that turns the HB lead for you when you lift the pencil between strokes. This takes some time to get used to, but it provides for a more seamless experience. It’s ideal for students who love to draw and write without interruption, but may also be useful for those who have focus issues and don’t want to be disturbed by the need to sharpen or click their pencils. This pencil is also great for sketching, as it gives you the most control of the various weights of your lines.

ALSO CONSIDER
Zebra M-301 Stainless Steel Mechanical Pencil
This reliable tool features nonslip grips and an all-metal body for longevity.

Perfect for drawing and writing alike, these pencils have stainless-steel barrels. The grip is designed for comfort, and the erasers are refillable. A pocket clip on the side of the pencils keeps them handy in your shirt pocket, so students are ready to work whenever inspiration strikes. Engineered to last longer than the average plastic mechanical pencil, these durable and reliable pencils will simplify all note-taking and art-making needs. They’re equipped with HB lead and sold in a two-pack.

Like history in general, art history is subject to recurrent revisions and reappraisals. Whether it occurs within their lifetimes or posthumously, some artists earn a place in the art-historical record, only to be forgotten and written out of the same . . . until and unless they are eventually rediscovered. Art history, in other words, is a malleable discipline, but understanding developments in art depends on it—or at the very least is enhanced by it. Accordingly, we’ve assembled a list of books, both mainstream and specialized, that span the saga of art from classical antiquity to the present. Whether you’re an artist or lover of art, you might want at least a few of them on your bookshelf. (Price and availability current at time of publication.)

1. Penelope J.E. Davies, et al., Janson’s History of Art (9th edition)

For more than 60 years, Horst Woldemar Janson’s doorstop of a book served as the go-to text for Art History 101 courses everywhere, promising a sweeping overview of painting, sculpture, and architecture from the dawn of civilization to the present. For the most part, it delivered—except for one titanic omission: women artists. Janson didn’t believe there were any worthy of serious consideration, a prejudice consistent with the book’s Mad Men-era origin, and one the author maintained until his death, in 1982. However, a 2006 revision basically wrote Janson out of his own book, though his name remained in the title. Works cited as masterpieces (like James McNeill Whistler’s 1871 painting Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1, otherwise known as Whistler’s Mother) were elided, while previously ignored disciplines (photography and decorative art) were added—as were, finally, female artists. Moreover, it replaced Janson’s focus on the male artist as genius with a more comprehensive reading that takes race, class, and gender into account. Though this most recent edition, published in 2013, is now out of date regarding the newest developments in Western art, it remains extremely useful. The price for a new copy is an eye-popping $250, but used copies are available for far less.

2. Hal Foster, Rosalind Krauss, et al., Art Since 1900 (3rd Edition, two volumes)

Compiled by contributors associated with October, the art-critical quarterly known for its dense and difficult writing, Art Since 1900 was published in 2005 as a corrective to standard art histories while being aimed at a broader readership. Now published as a two-volume set, the book retains October’s thorny attitude and poststructuralist bent—which is to say, it is skeptical of the notion that art embodies individual expressions that transcend time. Accordingly, the book doesn’t follow the development of what it calls modernism, anti-modernism, and post-modernism through artists or movements. Rather, it treats 20th-century art to a textual deconstruction with short essays tied to certain cultural or historical events for each year between 1900 and 2003, kicking off with the publication of Sigmund Freud’s Interpretation of Dreams and ending with the 50th Venice Biennale. Your mileage may vary, depending on just how significant you feel these events are in terms of art history, but Art Since 1900 exemplifies the nonhierarchical nature of the discourse that’s prevalent today.

3. Giorgio Vasari, Lives of the Artists

Giorgio Vasari’s biographies of the Italian Renaissance’s key players introduced the concept of art history as we know it. Many of his subjects were his near contemporaries (he lived from 1511 to 1574), making the text a primary source for studying the epochal era that ushered in the Western tradition in art (itself bound until recently to the narrative genre Vasari invented). Originally published in 1550, Lives covers the period bracketed by Cimabue (1240–1302) and Michelangelo (1475–1564) and is prefaced with a general treatise on architecture, sculpture, and painting. Later historians would fault Vasari for being too focused on artists from Florence and Rome, though the book was enlarged in 1568 to include members of the School of Venice like Titian. But while Lives didn’t look beyond Italy, its influence spread rapidly in Europe, with the first of its many translations appearing in the Dutch Republic in 1604.

4. Mary Beard and John Henderson, Classical Art: From Greece to Rome 

Although the second half of its title suggests a survey that begins with Ancient Greece, this book is really more about the latter civilization. It proposes that without the Roman Empire, classical art would not have lasted to spark the Renaissance. The authors argue that Rome’s transmission of Greek aesthetics laid the foundations for Western art, and they further contend that the Romans didn’t imitate Greek art but rather reinterpreted and reinvented it. The book’s five chapters cover painting, sculpture, portraiture, and monuments, noting the role of lust—for power, posterity, and sex—in their pursuit. Side trips to archaeological sites like Pompeii explore how new finds maintain our fascination with objects from antiquity while noting that their survival is ultimately a matter of chance.

5. H.H. Arnason, History of Modern Art 

At more than 650 pages, H.H. Arnason’s History of Modern Art appears daunting, but ever since its appearance in 1968, it has served as the essential account of 20th-century art. The book begins with Paris during the 19th century, when notions like art for art’s sake and artists such as Manet, Monet, Gaugin, Van Gogh, Seurat, and Cezanne fired the first shots of modernism. It continues by recounting the major movements—Cubism, Dada, the Bauhaus, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art—that impacted the past 100 years of painting, sculpture, and architecture. Using generous illustrations and approachable language, the book tells the story of a revolutionary era that transformed our thinking about the world and art’s place in it. Now in its seventh edition, History of Modern Art has been repeatedly updated to include the latest artistic developments as the 20th century gives way to the 21st.

6. E.H. Gombrich, The Story of Art

At the beginning of this book (which also appears among Art in America’s staff picks of essential reading), author E.H. Gombrich observes, “There is really no such thing as Art. There are only artists.” That statement sets the tone of what has become one of art history’s most popular tomes. Abjuring sweeping discussions of movements or concepts, Gombrich focuses on individual works of art and the figures behind them. Except for a few diversions into ancient and tribal art, this invariably means male painters from the West. Still, Gombrich takes a remarkable stance for an art historian by maintaining that art history can obscure, as well as elucidate, the experience of art by relaying information extraneous to the act of seeing. Linking artists as diverse as Raphael and Cezanne across time, Gombrich insists that they all faced similar challenges to making their work, and that in the final analysis, the artist’s intentions are all that matter.

7. The editors of Phaidon, The Art Book

Smart and lavishly produced, Phaidon’s A-to-Z directory of artists throughout history is the one coffee table accessory you should have in your library. Ranging from the Middle Ages to today, the book features 500 artists, and while some are better known than others, each is given the same luxuriant treatment: a nearly full-page, full-color reproduction of a key work printed with razor-sharp attention to detail. Each entry is accompanied by a brief text with a career overview of the respective artist written in clear, easy-to-follow language. Anywhere you open this volume you’ll find breathtaking images, and since the artists are presented alphabetically, you’ll encounter unexpected juxtapositions of styles and eras across each spread, like one pairing 17th-century Dutch painter Hendrick ter Brugghen and contemporary French conceptualist Daniel Buren. Though The Art Book leans heavily toward painting, it also covers sculpture, photography, video, and installation art.

8. Richard Shone and Jean-Paul Stonard, eds., The Books that Shaped Art History: From Gombrich and Greenberg to Alpers and Krauss 

While an art history book about art history books is definitely meta, this compilation of essays covering the category’s 20th-century milestones is a reminder of just how closely developments in art are tied to changes in its study. Gathering a wide-ranging group of leading scholars and curators, The Books that Shaped Art History examines 12 tomes that introduced key critical concepts to the field, starting with Religious Art in 13th-Century France, written by Émile Mâle in 1898. One of the first studies of medieval art, Mâle’s book was also one of the first to use iconography to unlock the meaning of images. Another book, Heinrich Wölfflin’s Principles of Art History, from 1915, formulated the now common method of comparing artworks on the basis of style. The Books that Shaped Art History takes an admittedly deep dive into its subject, but it is nonetheless a fascinating look at how writing has shaped art and vice versa.

9. Sharon F. Patton, African-American Art 

Sharon F. Patton’s 1998 survey connects African-American art to the Black experience between the early 18th and late 20th centuries. Patton begins with slavery, touching on plantation architecture and the African influences informing the housing enslaved people built for themselves in the southern states. Moving on to folk and decorative arts of the 19th century, Patton considers the impact of large events—such as the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Great Migration—on art made by African-Americans. Finally, the author explores how African-American aesthetics were formed during the 20th century by the likes of the New Negro movement of the 1920s, Black Nationalism in the 1960s and ’70s, and the identity politics of the 1990s.

10. Charles Townsend Harrison and Paul Wood, eds., Art in Theory 1900–2000, (2nd edition)

As the title notes, this book examines 20th-century art’s unique reliance on theory. In the period predating what’s known as modern art, aesthetic debates focused mainly on technique; during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, for example, the French Academy was roiled by arguments between two groups—the Poussinistes, named for the 17th-century neoclassicist Nicholas Poussin, and the Rubenistes, named for Poussin’s older contemporary Peter Paul Rubens—over which was more important to painting, line or color. Modernism, however, formulated an entire philosophy for radically transforming art, propelling the movement, as Charles Harrison and Paul Wood write, from “the margins of public notice to the center of the cultural economy.” Harrison and Wood incisively capture this revolution from Post-Impressionism to Postmodernism.

11. Whitney Chadwick, Women, Art, and Society, (6th edition)

For centuries, art historians overlooked female artists, and the few who managed to gain recognition did so only because it was assumed that they had somehow overcome the limitations of their sex. According to this belief, women couldn’t become artists on their own merit because their gender made it impossible to do so. This bias began to fade during the final decades of the last century as the achievements of women artists became too visible to ignore, most conspicuously in contemporary art. Overlooked names from the past were being reappraised, and this study from 1996 brings to light many such artists from the Middle Ages onward. More important, the book illuminates their struggles against misogyny of their respective times and how they persisted, nevertheless, in pursuing their work.