Stop gifting pens to artists

2022 Gift Guide for Artists. It's the holiday season! If you're looking for gifts for the artists in your life, here's a small list of recommendations from art books to pens and sketchbooks.
How to Draw: amzn.to/3FUVMoM
Color and Light: amzn.to/3BACNx6
Pareidolia: amzn.to/3UXP19Q
Leyendecker: amzn.to/3WAt7uH
DUNE: amzn.to/3j6Jlgj
MD sketchbook: amzn.to/3WliawW
Travelers Notebook: amzn.to/3YzMrKi
Dip Pen: amzn.to/3FUXmac
HOW TO DRAW MECHS
coloso.us/illust_webtoon/conc...
ARTBOOK 📚
www.meanhouseart.com/machinesong
SOCIALS📷
/ meanhouseart
/ meanhouseart
/ chromamoma
MUSIC🎶
League of Legends - Diana Sessions
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:36 Art Books
6:38 Sketchbooks
8:40 Pens
9:47 Socks
10:50 How to Draw Mechs

[@JH-pe3ro]

My rule of thumb would be that if you give an artist a supply, you have to give them something to organize it with. They might not use the pencil, but they'll use the pencil bin. But really, anything ergonomically focused might be a good idea, especially if they're young and prone to ignoring discomfort. A nice lamp, or a folding desk if they've been sketching on the bed.

[@soniccookie655]

This year my aunt gave some art-related gifts, and one was actually a neat faux-leather pencil case! With a few fancy mechanical pencils that have a really thick, pointed lead that look like the lead from a wood pencil. She did a good job.

[@HandleToBeDetermined]

Yes. When in doubt, buy QOL improvement as gifts. It goes a longer way than supplies most of the time.

[@no9683]

My new fav quote from an artist. “He paints fabric like Michaelangelo sculpts… penises.”

[@Murimz]

How did i read this exactly as he said it lmfao

[@jamesmcgurk268]

not to mention the stack of sketchbooks I've been gifted over the years.. I USE A VERY SPECIFIC SKETCHBOOK

[@alecvaughan3987]

I love my Moleskines

[@splintmeow4723]

My nemesis are large, thick ones that are too heavy to use outdoors or even too cumbersome to use at home. ☹️

[@miqerman]

I just buy cheap recycle paper and bind them into a sketchbook (I'm broke)

[@miqerman]

pls gift me pens and sketchbooks pls

[@sousleciel2416]

@@miqerman Same

[@Splat654]

I have reached a point where i had almost all kind of stationary and a half of it, such as pencils, pens and markers and more, arent even mine. It came from all around the house, somehow ending up in my room, because i am the only family member who draws and writes often. And all that needs organising and space. Honestly i dont even remember taking other's stationary, its more like they just magically appeared in my place.

[@whoelsebutmeofcoursei]

🧐 I use a gun case style pencil case filled with a mix of 2+ years old stuff and some other stuff I used in high school (that was about 7 years ago)

[@teohyc]

Give art shop vouchers. You can't go wrong with those.

[@softandcosy]

a good way to choose an artist gift that they want but still make it a bit of a surprise is to ask for their wishlist & pick something, or you can pick individual colours of a brand of paints/pencils/etc. that they like! for example, once i just asked for daniel smith watercolours and let them pick what colours they want to gift me. then it's like a nice surprise because you don't know what colours you're going to get

[@gabeitch9142]

I like subtly taking interest in their stuff to help pick gifts that aren’t presumptuous. Plus, I’m usually genuinely interested in their passions.

[@franzc-t252]

Art books are great, but the only downside is that they're pretty expensive, I really recommend D&D books, especially the monster manual, it's full of creatures and monsters with very good illustrations and it's not hard to find with a discount :))

[@ChromaMoma]

That's a great suggestion! :)

[@Murimz]

Honestly, as someone who isnt a proffessional artist, i like being gifted pens

[@Angie_flores]

“Proffessional” artist lol

[@froup_]

"i JUST want some legos" is so true lol. so many drawing kits growing up that went unused

[@Lumilovesdio]

Personally myself as an artist loves getting pens, I love writing and doodling and using ink, I use ink a lot

[@SilverAg.]

I can actually really relate to this. As the “origami” kid, people would give me origami paper. I mean, sirs it’s pretty cool, but I already have paper, and I’m never gonna use all of it, so more paper isn’t so useful. On another note, I heard you say you like gundam and I was like, what I like gundam! Then I realized I was on your channel lol

[@splintmeow4723]

I love custom pens, mechanical pencil, sketchbooks (maybe with refillable binder durable metal, with leather cover), palettes, oooo outdoor painting easel like the one James Gurney has, maybe bread clips (super useful things). Custom tools are always a winner, from something like Etsy maybe? Concept design book/art book of monster hunter is such a winner!

[@AKIRA_Karhan]

Every artist loves art books

[@pizza134]

This reminded me from when my aunt gave me a cheap pink pencil with sparkles for christmas for me to draw with, haven't used it once

[@adrenalineactivate]

I would literally cry if someone gives me art book, that's literally so thoughtful 🥺💕

[@WafflesX3XD]

i love being gifted pens tbh~ but pretty much everyone that knows me knows that i use microns, so i can count on them to get me a pack when christmas or my birthday rolls around ^_^ 💕

[@firefun3604]

I want an art book from Chroma Moma >.

[@whoelsebutmeofcoursei]

Not if I get it first 👹

[@izzysparksart]

The last bit about wishing to just get legos or even socks is exactly what I wish for every time I get a gift 😅 I love this video, I’ll have to show people this since I’m always getting art stuff. You did a great job explaining other things to get artists. ^^

[@GotohFan]

i love the production value of this channel

[@yuko13371]

Love your content ! It has changed my mindset about art and because of you I want to pursue art´s and become an artist ... Thanks... You changed my life !

[@hollowedboi5937]

Honest being able to just ask a person rather than just making it a surprise is much better. I know for myself I have certain artists I look up to or shows/movies/games that have a certain style with their own sketches of environments and characters that I’d love to get. If not that if you can’t ask, yes a sketchbook or money

[@desktorp]

For a more personal touch, I recommend watching a video about coptic book binding.. buy a sketchPAD and convert it in to a sketchBOOK.. all you really need is a needle and thread, something to make some holes and whatever you want to finish the cover. Waxed thread is best. You can get one of those thread waxing devices. Some curved needles might help. I have covered handmade sketchbooks in clippings from magazines. You can make them basically any size and it will make for a much more memorable and meaningful gift + the coptic binding method is nice because it lays flat.

[@whoelsebutmeofcoursei]

Excellent idea, really. 🤝🏼🙏🏼 I screenshot your comment so I can make one of those for myself

[@WhiteVaille]

I'm not sure how useful it could be to a general artist, but photography art books might also be a nice source of inspirational vibes and scenery, and useful to compliment studies of light and tones. And within photography, of course there are further divisions in subject matter, depending on what one likes to draw or paint. Street photography, portraiture, textures, architecture, landscapes, etcetera. Street photography could maybe be useful for studying motion and forms, or pose and activity ideas for your subjects interacting with the greater world they exist in.

[@afterimage1993]

This is such a good video. I always love your videos, they just always work perfectly. i will always take more pens. Always. I love pens. And i lose them *all* I love trying lots of different sketchbooks, but the best ones i have found are the illo or the leuchttrum 1917. Im always open to more ideas (but never ask for them, because i REALLY hate getting 3 AMAZON BASIC sketchbooks because they FALL APART IMMEDIATELY e; the lego thing hit hard fr

[@RosenshineRewby]

Beautiful aspect ratio

[@DC-gb5sn]

Hey Ken could you plz make a vid about your shading techniques thx!!!😀👍

[@msspynoodle6505]

I personally would like all kinds of pens, and pencils. I would challenge myself to use different types of material so I can create something new and fun for me.

[@pixelsbykris5494]

Happy to see that Leyendecker book!

[@sonpanchan]

My dad once gifted me a pack of regular yellow no.2 pencils, lol. I kept them for writing purposes and for guests so they don't use my good pencils and pen.

[@filiformis]

I'm not even an artist I would would love to get a J.C. Leyendecker art book.

[@aelbixx]

I just want to say that Thank you, you destroyed my ego and it helped me souch to think that reference is not a copying

[@dibowrks]

I am a big mecha fan, especially japanese super robot and super sentai. I've recently got back into drawing with the goal of learning how to draw sakugas, light effects such as beams, flames and of course strikin super robots gainax/trigger style! My girlfriend for my birthday gifted my "groundwork of evangelion" wich is a collection of 3 books containing storyboard, studies, sketches and animation keyframes from Evangelion. I super love it!

[@RadishTheFool]

And if you like to be surprised by a personal gift, maybe request an art book based on something the gifter enjoys. For example, their favourite game, movie, manga/comic, city, natural habitat, or hobby.

[@gabeitch9142]

Your vibe in this video is so warm and calming

[@ericabestia]

Great artbooks! The only pity is that in my country they are not sold (with the exception of Gurney and Dune).

[@salrachel5349]

love this

[@nizzow2]

Your course is fantastic! Can't recommend is enough 🙂

[@VideoHomicide]

Very insightful man!

[@echoedict]

This is such a good video. 😄 Absolutely love it!

[@hhellinn]

I would also like to add stuff like fashion books, books with images that an artist can take inspiration from. A book filled with images of architecture around the world for example. Or, it might be nice to get them something not related to art. Some new high quality bed sheets or some soft pijamas will be appreciated by just about anyone. You could get them a coffee grinder if they like coffee. A travel mug, some kitchen utensils etc etc. Or get them something for another of their hobbies.

[@lainiwakura1776]

Socks. Everyone wears them and fun designs are always nice!

[@juanpanordo5375]

great video!!!,love the recomendations!!!

[@IPlayKindred]

YOU'RE BACK

[@thenoobgamer9225]

This a gotdamn good gift guid

[@ashtonskiiii5156]

me personally i love being gifted like art book, neat pens, and i definitely need more sketchbooks the more tha merrier!

[@RakanMag]

Awesome!! gonna gift myself some of these.

[@domdesigns5624]

Have you ever tried out the Pilot Precise V5? That's my current go to right now its sooooo good.

[@MySpeedy777]

I started learning using Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and Figure Drawing: Design and Invention, and am wondering if you have opinions on those? Also, great fantasy art books imo would be those of Yoshitaka Amano.

[@ktshaysislame]

everyone get up, chroma moma posted

[@catabasiis]

the Legos comment really hit close to home here xDDD

[@lego_minifig]

Yeah I still have art kits when I was learning to draw from a decade ago. I have my favorite go to tools that I have grown attached to over the years so a generalized art kit with everything is a waste to me personally. All my siblings dropped out of art as a hobby so I ended up with all their mostly unused kits as well lol. Now it’s been a slow process of regifting and remixing partially used kits with recommended resources to give to family friends that may have a budding interest. They are very thoughtful gifts to new artists, but if they have been in the hobby for 2 years then chances are they have a general art kit and would probably be better served with a new medium or a narrower spectrum of their favorite tools.

[@GamesWithBrainz]

"and... socks!" you can have half of the 60 pairs i get every year

[@khaozxx]

The amount of giant sketchbooks and boxes of coloured pencils, felt tips, just anything coloured I’ve gotten. And Im mainly a digital artist💀

[@phongphan446]

please dont stop uploading

[@sarahb.6475]

A fantasy artbook that pops to mind is the Art of DragonLance. Who doesnt love the world of Krynn and flying on dragons? Such fantastic art! DragonLance is part of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.

[@levisimpson516]

For fantasy fans I would recommend any of the Art Of: LOTR or HOBBIT books, especially any by John Howe or Alan Lee, as well as The World Of The Dark Crystal by Brian Froud.

[@theresabellflower8123]

My family doesn’t really get me art supplies since I graduated high school. They normally ask what I want, but I’m older now (gen-xer) and can get most things for myself. They will get me a gift card to use towards the supplies that I can get myself.

[@imawafflelad8641]

when ever my parents go on vacation and come back home, they always bring me so many pencils, like i started to appreciate drawing with pencil more over a span of a year, but i have like 40 pencils, that will be enough for a life time haha

[@ChromaMoma]

So true!

[@aliarby]

Hi, love the video! Quick suggestion: Chapter markers go a long way on videos like this where only certain parts of the video pertain to each viewer.

[@aliarby]

@@user-jn5tf8dz5w Must've gotten added after I first watched. Thanks :D

[@alecvaughan3987]

Ah, a video I can send to my family

[@qiyuuuu]

i have tens of unused pens and notebooks ,, if i wanted a sketchbook i'd find one i'm able to utilize myself ;; and yet not one time have i been gifted a good eraser

[@thiagobecker6144]

I was an art student myselve. therefore i studied a lot of art literature especially for technics and methods at drawing. Regarding your vid. with all it's great art book suggestions, I would propose "Hogarth's Zeichenschule" (it's german for hogarth's drawing school). you all have a nice creative day :D.

[@aryamansinghgaharwar]

hey can you try drawing a lego technic set it would make my day thanks also very awsome videoa i agreed with every thing you said artbooks are just so helpful and just make is easier to draw certain things

[@waterworks_yes]

i’m at the point where i have 2 entire pencil cases of pens and pencils. they need to stop lol

[@A_itsar]

Don't give me a pen, because pen is so small, that I just use a pen tab

[@mahikamihan]

fantasy artbooks: art of HTTYD(1,2,3), and Zootopia are good examples!

[@resentfusion5634]

Thanks for the video glhf

[@ballsboingboingboing]

i use very specific inks… like unless you can get your hands on a whole box of wholesale pentel energel 0.5mm lrn5-a, i prefer art books

[@placeholder3863]

I want pens really nice pens

[@Craig-fg3lf]

I think I love you

[@txin999]

If you're on a budget I definitely recommend giving your illustrator friend/loved one a copy/reprint of any of the vintage Little Golden books! They're beautiful!

[@michelle5952]

if they are more of a comic-style artist, I've heard great things about the Spiderverse art book!

[@SeaSerpentLevi]

For fantasy fans i think the artbooks of the mmo Final Fantasy XIV are a great choice even if the person dont play the game its just too gorgeous lol

[@erikasolnc]

I actually wish people would gift me art related things. I got coffee. I don't drink coffee. And I have sooo many gifted cups that I started to beg people not to gift one for me.

[@UnvarnishedTarnished]

Hey man, I was about to sign up for your class for drawing Mechs but I noticed it says that Photoshop is required.. is that true?

[@ChromaMoma]

No worries, you can also use pencil and paper!

[@ZIEGLAH]

please make a how to draw a Gundam video

[@241Cookies__]

I’m the type of artist to scream over literally any art supply so uh… I think I’ve wandered into the wrong neighbourhood lol

[@nahuelpaillapi]

Poor guy, he only want a lego

[@asheeykat]

hi Chroma

[@Tylerthelegend618]

if my grandma gifts me a pen of any kind IM USING THAT THING UNTIL IT DRYS OUT. oh what's this a free little sketch book how nice gramps IM LOADING IT UP WITH ALIEN SKULLS AND HERMIT CRABS I DONT GIVE A SHIT WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YAAAAAAA BABY LETS GOOO.

[@user-mm8wr1mb7y]

Exactly gift pens to suscribers 😂

[@alinktoana]

After 5 years of learning how to draw the family finally started gifting me shitty notebooks so I’ll take that as an achievement lmao great suggestions btw ;)

[@whoelsebutmeofcoursei]

Is it the girl from yakuza on your pfp? I just scrolled past a video of the main character slapping her in the face 👁

[@alinktoana]

@@whoelsebutmeofcoursei lmao yes it is. and yep, thats a scene that exists 🙃

[@FEEC-tm1mq]

He's so hawt ⚰️

[@joolian4763]

I have a mountain of SpongeBob merch I've gotten since I was a kid that I never wear

[@whoelsebutmeofcoursei]

Time to start representing, busta. 🔫👁

[@knottedtwig3289]

For Christmas I want more Chromamoma videos

[@elteho51]

Do you know the artist shaun tan?

[@happypoopy3731]

HI PLEASE SAY HI IM UR BIGGEST FAN

[@byron6272]

He just like me fr

[@williamheinbuch]

I do genuinely like the video but sry, I made the likes “666”. Also man…. I always got personal hygiene stuff and cologne and considering my one sister always called me “stinky”, those were never gifts, they were just a personal insult during the holidays. What I wouldn’t have given to get like lego or gundams.

[@mkbuike7895]

Just don’t give me supplies. I am very particular about pens, ink, watercolor paint, and paper. Unless you know what I use, just don’t bother. I won’t use it and will probably just pass it on to someone else.

[@random_person124]

I dont like how you're implying that every artist is as unappreciative as you are when it comes to gifts.. Every kind of present that shows that the other person cares about you is great even if it's just "useless stationary". You bet imma use the hell out of those pencils!

[@gibsonflyingv2820]

Your go to is a Pilot hi tech C? I mean, no offense bro but thats trash. Those pens are terrible and the lines you can make are weak and unexpressive. If you're a manga artists than a G nib or Maru nib is really the only way to go.

[@impendio]

You really are in the wrong channel if you think the limitation is the pen. He has entire essays on why that pen.

[@lepotatoes]

I have the biggest crush on you. Always have, always will. 🫡