Photo: “Portrait of a Noblewoman” by Lavinia Fontana, ca. 1580 (left); “A Friend in Need” from the “Dogs Playing Poker” series by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, 1903 (right)

Our four-legged friends are often the muses for art of all kinds. Of these creatures, dogs are one of the most popular subjects for painting, sculpture, and photography. Throughout art history, they’ve made appearances with members of the aristocracy, self-portraits with famous creatives, and been immortalized as balloons—and that’s just a small fraction of the dog art that exists between the past and today. Canines are living symbols of protection, loyalty, and unconditional love, so it’s easy to see why they’ve been such a long and colorful part of our visual history.

Dogs in Art History

For thousands of years, artists have shown their admiration and respect for canines by painting and carving their likenesses. They even show up in ancient art. In Pompeii, a dog mosaic was found in the House of the Tragic Poet. The structure was built in its current form near the end of the first century BC, meaning that this artwork of a fierce canine had been around for at least as long. The words at the bottom, Cave Canem, translate to “beware of the dog.” Despite that warning, it’s believed that this was to alert a visitor that there were dogs present in the house.

Cave Canem Poeta Trágico. (Photo: MiguelHermoso via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Dog art was also found in the first century AD. One charming example includes a pair of canines found near Civita Lavinia, Italy in 1774. A painter and art dealer named Gavin Hamilton had excavated a place aptly-named Dog Mountain and discovered, among other things, a marble portrait of two hounds. According to The British Museum, it’s not possible to date these sculptures, but they were produced sometime between 1 AD to 199 AD.

Marble statue of a pair of dogs, 1 CE – 199 CE. (Photo: © The Trustees of the British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Dogs are known for their companionship, and it’s a trait that’s well documented in art from the Renaissance. Royalty and other upper-classmen had their portraits immortalized through painting, and many include a dog at their side (or on their lap). Portrait of a Noblewoman painted by Lavinia Fontana around 1580 depicts a young Bolognese noblewoman who just got married. Clad in rich textiles and exquisite jewels, the dark background and deep red dress makes her tiny dog the stand out of this piece.

“Portrait of a Noblewoman” by Lavinia Fontana, ca. 1580. (Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

While many pups got to pose for regal portraits, the Renaissance also depicted dogs at work. Pieter Bruegel the Elder famously captured this in his iconic painting, Hunters in the Snow. The piece features two men who are followed by their pack of loyal dogs. Although the hunters are the intended focus of the piece, it’s the canines who convey the most emotion. Having just returned from an unsuccessful hunt, they appear unhappy with their heads in shame.

“The Hunters in the Snow” by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1565. (Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Beyond the Renaissance and during the 18th century, dog breeds became standardized. This lead to dog portraits, where the animals were the stars of the piece. Still life paintings are a long-standing tradition in art, and Paul Gauguin puts a twist on this with his 1888 piece called Still Life with Three Puppies. A departure from naturalistic depiction, the painting is said to be inspired by Japanese prints and children’s book illustrations.

“Still Life with Three Puppies” by Paul Gauguin, 1888. (Photo: MoMA)

Shortly after Gauguin's piece surfaced, one of the most well-known collection of paintings, prominently featuring dogs, came to be—Dogs Playing Poker. This iconic series by American painter Cassius Marcellus Coolidge began with Poker Game in 1894, which then led to a set of 16 oil paintings commissioned for a cigar ad campaign in 1903, and a final painting completed in 1910. They each feature a group of dogs playing a game of poker. Collectively, these paintings became incredibly well-known in the United States, and have continued to pop up for decades in contemporary culture. It cemented dogs as viable art subjects in the modern era.

“A Friend in Need” from the “Dogs Playing Poker” series by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, 1903. (Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

This shift from sidekick to star has lead to a variety of dog art, from realism to abstraction. When it comes to contemporary works, Jeff Koons has created some of the most famous dog art of all. His larger-than-life Balloon Dog sculptures continue to be a hit and have inspired home decor. In addition to that iconic pop art, he also created Puppy in 1995. Standing nearly 41 feet tall, the giant sculpture is a flowering representation of a pup—literally. It’s still on view at its permanent home at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

“Puppy” by Jeff Koons, 1995. (Photo: Iakov Filimonov / Shutterstock.com)

More Notable Dog Art (From Art History and Contemporary Art)

Drawing / Illustration

“A Dog Resting” by Albrecht Dürer, 1520-1521. (Photo: © The Trustees of the British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

“Sleeping Puppy” by Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, ca. 1640. (Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Keith Haring’s Dancing Dogs pic.twitter.com/DqYM4ckUYH

— One Dog's Opinion (@onedogsopinion) August 29, 2015

Painting

“A King Charles Spaniel” by Edouard Manet ca. 1866. (Photo: Ailsa Mellon Bruce Collection, Public domain)

“Head of a Dog” by Auguste Renoir, 1870. (Photo: Ailsa Mellon Bruce Collection, Public domain)

“Head Of A Dog” by Edvard Munch, 1930 (Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

“Itzcuintli Dog With Me” by Frida Kahlo, 1938

“Portrait of Maurice” by Andy Warhol, 1976

 

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Sculpture

“Dog” by Alberto Giacometti, 1951

 

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Architecture

The Dog Bark Park Inn (Photo: Alan Levine (CC BY 2.0)

Big Dog Information Centre

Photography

 

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Photo: Jason Kenzie (Read more: Adorable Underbelly Photos of Dogs Raise Funds for Animal Welfare)

 

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…and the Instagram Selfie.

 

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This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

12 Photographers Who Have Elevated Pet Photography into an Art Form

Before and After Images of 16 Dogs Being Told They’re a Good Boy/Girl

Photogenic “Selfie Dog” Is Showing Travel Influencers How It’s Done

READ: 2,000+ Years of Dogs in Art, From Ancient Mosaics to Instagram Selfies

Photo: Stock Photos from David Prahl/Shutterstock
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One of the great joys of summer is spending time in the backyard (or a park), enjoying the warm weather and the company of others. Adding to this cherished time of year are the games that can be played outside. These types of activities are geared toward groups and are an endless source of fun for both kids and adults. They're also simple enough for everyone to learn—but generally impossible to master, making it anyone’s game to win and a fantastic way to get some friendly competition going.

Some of the most popular backyard games are supersized versions of things you’d play indoors. Jenga, the anxiety-inducing stacking game, has been reimagined as a large tower of blocks perfect for a patio. And for fans of the classic Yahtzee, there’s now Yardzee, a dice game for the lawn. There’s even a giant Connect-Four-style game that can be set up outside (and played standing up) for hours of fun for the whole family.

Other games test your hand-eye coordination, whether it's throwing bean bags in a classic game of cornhole or landing a ball on a ladder toss game. For those who enjoy classic lawn games, bocce, frisbee, badminton, and croquet all make excellent choices. And with advances like light-up frisbees and shuttlecocks, you can keep playing your favorite outdoor game well after the sun goes down.

So, what are you waiting for? Scroll down to see some of our favorite yard games.

Make your outdoor parties fun with these backyard games.

Toppling Timbers Game

TailgatingPros | $74.85+

Hook and Ring Game

Tap Crafters | $25.29+

Bocce Ball Set

GoSports | $39.99

Yardzee Dice Lawn Game

Ropoda Store | $39.99

Four in a Row Game (With Carrying Case)

Swooc Games | $159.99

Giant Tic-Tac-Toe

Splinter Woodworking | $49.99

Reusable Water Balloons (Set of 12)

Mama Love Boutique | $29.50

Wooden Lawn Bowling Game

Sterling | $69.95

Cornhole Set (With Carrying Case)

Tailgating Pros | $144.85+

Leaning Axe and Knife Throwing Target

Tomahawk Targets | $82.99

Rustic Ring Toss Game

JnJ Handmade | $49.99+

Wooden Ladder Toss Game

Swooc Games | $119.99

Scavenger Hunt Tokens

Wired By Jennifer Lynn | $20.00

Light Up Frisbee

TOSY | $59.99

3-In-1 Giant Checkers, Chess, and Tic Tac Toe Game

Swooc Games | $49.99

Giant Wooden Yard Dominoes

Andre Stella Games | $55.42

Ball Catch Set

Jalunth | $19.99

Giant Kick Darts

Swooc Games | $199.99

Glow in the Dark Badminton Birdies

Sportneer Store | $17.99

Giant Kick Croquet

Kovot | $29.99

This article has been edited and updated. Prices were accurate at time of publishing.

Related Articles:

6 Unique Card Games Played in Different Countries Around the World

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READ: 20 Backyard Games That Will Provide Hours of Outdoor Fun This Summer

Photo: Mint Owl
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Practice is a vital part of perfecting your drawing skills. Learning the basics and repeating them over and over again is the only way to improve. For proof, just check out what a few years of drawing practice can do. It’s truly incredible the progress that you can make by dedicating time to this pursuit. Those who do have gone from scrawling simple figure sketches to fully-rendered portraits in seemingly no time.

Photo: EndOfAllHope

Although the best way to improve your drawing is to just get started, figuring out what to sketch can be challenging. Like all creative endeavors, everyone goes through “blocks” where they can’t figure out what to put pencil to paper. Well, have no fear! We’ve got a list of 100+ easy drawing ideas for you to try and fill up your sketchbook with. Get your creative juices flowing with everything from everyday objects to fantastical cityscapes—we recommend trying a variety in order to flex every bit of your drawing muscle.

But First, Gather Your Supplies

Graphite Pencils

Investing in great supplies will help ensure that you expand your sketching capabilities. So, check out our recommendations for the best drawing pencils, best sketchbooks, and best type of paper. Although pencils are the most popular tools when it comes to drawing, charcoal is also fairly popular for those who like to sketch and do it fast. While working on drawings that have deep shadows, charcoal will offer rich black tones that are perfect for shading. You can check out our selection of the best charcoal pencil sets for artists.

Best Graphite Pencil for Drawing

We highly recommend Derwent Graphic Pencils. Loved by both beginners and professionals, they are available in soft, medium, and hard sets. Easy to sharpen to a point or flat shape, they are versatile for detailed work and shading.

Drawing Pens

Does your artwork depict intricate details? Try using a drawing pen. Pens offer consistent linework and precision. There is a pen for almost every type of linework, including sketching, cartooning, drafting, calligraphy, and more. Check out our picks for the best drawing pens. And if you’re looking to add color to your work, we’ve identified some of the best colored pencils to use, too.

Best Drawing Pen

Anyone looking to draw with precision will want to stock up on Sakura Pigma Micron pens. Whether sketching comics or drawing architecture, these acid-free archival pens are a great option. They come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to draw thin or thick lines and have real staying power, so your sketches will last the test of time.

Photo: Pixabay

Drawing Ideas That Anyone Can Try

Still Life Drawing Ideas You Can Find at Home

You don't have to go far to find inspiration for what to draw. Just look around your house to see what to sketch. Every object is an opportunity for drawing. If you're feeling ambitious, try combining them into a still life.

• The interior of your living room
• A houseplant
• Kitchen utensils, like a whisk or slotted spoon
• A necklace, ring, or another piece of jewelry—try combining them in a still life
• House keys attached to a keychain
• An interesting knick-knack (or knick-knacks) off your shelf
• An interesting doorknob or door knocker
• Crumpled fabric or a pile of laundry
• An object in a glass dish
• Your dinner that night…
• … before you've prepared it (the ingredients)
• Collection of your favorite things
• A still life featuring old technology
• Your favorite condiment from your kitchen—be sure to draw the label
• Things that make you feel cozy
• Your most interesting pair of shoes
• The items on your coffee table
• The view from your window

Ocean Waves, Trees, and More: Creativity Inspired by Nature

Nature has long provided artists with inspiration for drawing. Trees and the sandy beach are both beautiful to look at and are also fun to draw. Plenty of cute animals are also out in the world, from a squirrel at the park to an octopus at the aquarium. As you improve your drawing, try revisiting these subjects to see how different they now look.

• Trees outside your window
• A fresh bouquet of flowers (try colored pencils with this one)
• A myriad of mushrooms
• A landscape scene from your favorite vacation
• Head to a park and draw what you see
• Your favorite tree
• A seashell or collection of seashells
• Visit an aquarium or look at a fish tank and draw what you see

Have a Lot of Fun Drawing People With These Ideas

People can be a daunting subject, but humans are exciting models to explore. From self-portraits to sketching the body, you'll never tire of these interesting and challenging ideas that revolve around people.

• Your self-portrait
• A famous person you admire
• Your feet (or someone else's feet)
• Your hands (or someone else's hands)
• A closeup of your eye
• Sketch someone on public transit
• A portrait of your significant other
• Someone who looks worried and is biting their lip
• What you're wearing today
• The back of someone's head
• Curly hair, from gentle waves to ringlets

Aren't feeling confident about drawing people? Check out these online drawing classes to sharpen your skills.

• Portrait Drawing for Beginners
• Realistic Portrait Drawing Made Easy

More Great Drawing Ideas

• A furry friend (working from a photograph is probably best)
• The exterior of your favorite building
• A cute baby animal
• Fresh fruit that's been cut in half (citrus fruit works well)
• A cup of coffee and pastry from a local cafe
• Your favorite wild animal
• A spider in a spiderweb
• Play with perspective by looking straight up at a skyscraper or at a bridge
• Make a copy of your favorite painting or statue (bonus points if it's in a museum)
• Recreate scientific renderings of bugs or birds (such as John James Audubon)
• What you see from your car's rearview mirror
• Frog on a lily pad
• The view from a bridge—either from or underneath it
• The inner workings of a mechanical object (like a watch)
• A ballerina on their toes
• Draw your to-do list
• Find a receipt and draw one item that is on it
• Sketch the same subject in at least five different ways
• Document your day, each hour, as a comic
• Aerial view of your favorite place

Photo: Syda_Productions/DepositPhotos

Creative Drawing Ideas Inspired by Holidays

Get into the spirit when you sketch. Holidays have their own imagery that you can source when trying to think of something to draw.

Halloween Drawing Ideas

• A bat flying in the sky
• Your idea of a haunted house
• A massive spider web (you decide how big)
• Pumpkins with scary faces
• A group of witches brewing a boiling cauldron
• A spooky ghost that could live in your town
• A glamorous vampire and their vampire hunter nemesis
• Zombies walking through the city
• An old graveyard that is coming alive

Thanksgiving Drawing Ideas

• A cornucopia of different fall foods (like pumpkins and corn)
• Your favorite Thanksgiving dinner dish
• Colorful fall leaves falling from the trees
• A portrait of a turkey
• Something that you're thankful for

Christmas Drawing Ideas

• A Christmas tree decorated by you
• A portrait of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus
• All of Santa's reindeer playing in the snow
• The biggest snowman that you can imagine
• Santa's sleigh with Christmas lights
• Your family as gingerbread people
• A snow globe containing a beautiful winter scene
• Your Christmas stocking (filled with goodies)
• A yard filled with candy canes

Photo: Javier Gonzalez

Drawing Ideas Inspired by the Imagination

Imagine Your World With a Dragon and a Rainbow

Draw the world that you want to see. If it's cloudy out, imagine a sunny day with a vibrant rainbow. Want a protective pet? Sketch what a friendly dragon would look like. With these ideas, the sky is the limit to what's possible on the page.

• Design the exterior of your dream house
• Now, the interior of your dream home
• Build your own castle
• What's at the end of the rainbow?
• Imagine life underwater
• Picture a home in outer space…
• … and the ship that will take you there…
• … and the creatures you'll meet
• A neighborhood of treehouses
• Superheroes in real life
• Your world in LEGOs
• M.C. Escher-style interior
• Imagine a city in outer space
• Imagine an album cover for a fictitious band (or real band)
• Make up your own flower—for an added challenge, make it a whole bouquet
• Make up a music band and draw their album cover
• Draw a new album cover for an existing musician
• Combine multiple animals into one creature

Cool Drawing Ideas Inspired by Fantasy

Fantasy is all about imagining things. We often think about it in terms of grand worlds like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, but at its core, fantasy is about picturing things that don't exist today.

• Imagine a wolf made of branches
• Combine two subjects that don't go together into one scene
• Draw a new fish tank for a fish
• Draw a still life in the Cubist style
• Everything in the world is topsy-turvey (up is down, down is up)
• Animal dressed like a human
• Give an object a face
• Mashup of two characters in pop culture
• A mad tea party
• A forklift lifting spaghetti and meatballs
• It's raining… (not water)
• Randomly select three words and draw what they mean together
• An animal holding a balloon
• A llama that's about to tap dance
• A mythical creature inspired by a unicorn
• Your favorite fairy-tale character

Patterns and Other Easy Things to Draw

You don't have to draw dragons to exercise your imagination. If you like design, try creating your own patterns or filling a sheet of paper with stylized flowers. These ideas will get you started.

• Cover a sheet of paper with an array of flowers
• Fill a silhouette portrait with geometric designs
• Make your own pattern
• Many mandalas in different shapes and patterns
• Reimagine a famous pattern like paisley
• Illustrate a vivid dream you or someone else has had
• Render your favorite memory
• An unlikely pair of friends
• A drawing of a drawing
• Swap the scale of two subjects
• Illustrate the phrase “it's a small world”
• Illustrate the phrase “your head in the clouds”
• Illustrate part of your favorite song
• Illustrate the title of your favorite book
• Illustrate an idiom in a literal way
• Your favorite video game character
• A cityscape in the lenses of sunglasses

For even more drawing prompts, pick up your copy of 642 Things to Draw!

Learn How to Execute Your Drawing Ideas Step by Step

Photo: rawpixel

While there are seemingly endless cool drawing ideas floating around, some of the most popular subjects tend to be nature-themed or revolve around the human figure. Get acquainted with how to draw them with some of the step-by-step guides below. You never know—learning to draw them might spark even more drawing ideas!

Drawing Animals

Photo: Art: Sara Barnes | My Modern Met

How to draw a cat in two different ways — Whether you want to sketch countless tiny fur hairs or are looking to design the next Garfield, this guide will introduce you to basic cat anatomy and how to draw them in a realistic or stylized way.

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met

Draw a tiger step by step — Ready to draw a big cat? Learn how to draw a tiger in 10 steps.

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met

Learn how to draw a panda — Pandas are some of the most beloved animals on the planet, and it's easy to understand why. This tutorial will teach you how to draw a panda sitting while holding a shoot of bamboo.

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met

Master drawing a cow lying down in a field — No depiction of a bucolic landscape is complete without a content cow, grazing away on some grass. Learn how to draw a cow with these step-by-step instructions.

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met

Sketch a polar bear step by step — In this tutorial, we will go through the steps of sketching a polar bear walking through the arctic under a full moon.

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met

Draw a sleeping arctic fox in nine steps — With their plush coats and charming personalities, it's no wonder foxes are among the most beloved animals on the internet. Now you can learn to draw one!

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met

Make your own drawing of a sea turtle — Follow this illustrated guide to learn how to draw a sea turtle in pencil and then go over it in ink.

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met

Learn a bat step by step — Bats are often regarded as a symbol of Halloween and all things spooky. Learn how to draw a bat with these step-by-step instructions and illustrations.

Drawing Human Anatomy 

Photo & Art: Sara Barnes | My Modern Met

A “handy” guide to drawing hands — Drawing human anatomy is tricky, and the hands might be the most challenging body part of all. In this guide, we break down the internal structure of the hand and how you can articulate the bones and muscles under the skin. Follow these steps to bring your drawing to life.

Photo & Art: Sara Barnes | My Modern Met

Know your nose with this tutorial — Of all the facial features, the nose is one you might not give a lot of thought to. But don't ignore it—this feature helps define the face. We'll go over the anatomy of the nose and how you can draw it in a realistic way.

Photo & Art: Sara Barnes | My Modern Met

Set your sights on realism — Learning how to draw a realistic eye is all about understanding that it’s not just the pupil that makes it appear lifelike. The shape of the eye, the creases in the lid, and the eyelashes are also important in achieving likeness—and we'll go over all of it.

Photo & Art: Sara Barnes | My Modern Met

Perfect your portraiture in this tutorial — Portrait drawing has long had an important place in art history and remains a popular subject for contemporary artists. If you too are a creative who wants to carry on this tradition, it’s important that you know how to draw a face.

Photo & Art: Sara Barnes | My Modern Met

Learn to draw a skull — It’s a necessary and helpful exercise to learn how to draw a skull—even if you’ve rendered a portrait before. In this tutorial, we’ll look at the proportions of the head as well as an easy step-by-step process to sketching the bones.

Nature-Inspired Subjects

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met

Embrace the fall spirit and draw a pumpkin — Whether they're orange, green, smooth, or bumpy, pumpkins are synonymous with autumn. We've put together this step-by-step drawing tutorial that will help you draw a pumpkin in just a few steps.

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met

Sketch a sunflower in nine steps — Channel Van Gogh's painting when you follow this step-by-step guide.

Photo & Art: Sara Barnes | My Modern Met

Learn how to draw a rose — The rose is an enduring symbol of love. Just as writers have spoken of its beauty, artists draw its delicate petals. But just because the rose is popular doesn't mean it's easy to sketch. Loaded with layers of petals, it can be a challenge. But have no fear—we break a rose drawing down so that it's both approachable and fun.

Interested in other blooms? Here's how to draw a variety of flowers —There are so many types of botanicals in the world that it’s impossible to learn how to draw each one. But once you understand the basic structure of a flower, you can use that knowledge to sketch any botanical you like.

Photo: Rawpixel

If you're itching to sketch all the things, check out the top drawing tutorials on YouTube. These artists will help you learn to draw for free. And if you're looking to empower your creative journey even further, check out our illustration courses on My Modern Met Academy.

Photo: Art: Melissa De Nobrega | My Modern Met Academy

Portrait Drawing for Beginners: Learn How to Draw Anyone You'd Like — Learn to draw facial features, characters, and people. Melissa De Nobrega breaks down one of the most complex subjects into bite-sized lessons where drawing the human face becomes simple and approachable.

Photo: Art: Demi Lang | My Modern Met Academy

Architectural Illustration for Everyone: Draw Buildings in Ink and Colored Pencil — Draw architecture like a pro with this course by Demi Lang. She'll take you step by step through the process of drawing buildings using ink and colored pencil.

Looking for more drawing tips? Subscribe to our Drawing Club newsletter.

This article has been edited and updated.

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Best Drawing Pencils for Professionals and Beginners Who Love to Sketch

Detailed Architectural Drawings Are a Modern-Day Homage to the Art of M.C. Escher

Adults Are Filling Drawings with Calming Patterns Instead of Just Coloring Them In

Artists Are Re-Drawing Their Old Work to Show How Much They’ve Improved

READ: 100+ Drawing Ideas That Will Get You Sketching Right Now

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

June is Pride Month. Now, more than ever, it's important to keep LBGTQIA+ issues at the forefront and let your Pride flag fly.

Pride is about affirming the identities and increasing the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people—those who have been marginalized and told that who they are doesn’t matter. Making art can be therapeutic as well as productive, and there are many creatives who express themselves in doing so. Some sell what they produce on Etsy.

Often, these shops fill in the gaps where products for LGBTQIA+ people are lacking. Little Pickle Memories, for instance, was born after moms Emma and Nat struggled to find a baby book that accurately represented their family. What started as one book is now a range of products that feature all sorts of families, from same-sex couples to single parents.

Scroll down to support LGBTQIA+ makers producing creative products to celebrate during Pride Month and beyond.

Here are Etsy shops that help support LGBTQ+ makers.

Queerly Designs

Photo: Queerly Designs

Based out of Philadelphia, Queerly Designs produces t-shirts and sweatshirts for all aspects of the rainbow. From feminist hoodies to trans Pride t-shirts, there's always a fun, clever design to be found in this popular Etsy store.

Say It Proud

Photo: Say It Proud

Say It Proud is dedicated to creating “positive and encouraging messages centered around LGBTQ+ major milestones and life events.” Their shop contains colorful cards and prints that commemorate gender affirmation surgery, adoption for same-sex parents, Pride, and much more.

GRRRL Spells

Photo: GRRRL Spells

If you’re into horror and the occult, you’ll want to check out GRRRL Spells, a queer and feminist apparel and art brand. Their stock includes pins, patches, prints, shirts, socks, and more—all with a spooky twist.

The Crown Arts

Photo: The Crown Arts

At The Crown Arts, a queer-owned and woman-owned business in New Hampshire, you'll find everything from creative enamel pins to fun stickers and prints.

Wild Fancy Design

Photo: Wild Fancy Design

With its handmade jewelry and decor, Wild Fancy Design is the perfect place to purchase sustainable, ethically-made pieces that show off your Pride. The shop is filled with fun and funky items to up your style game.

Junebug and Darlin

Photo: Junebug and Darlin

Known for their “subversive cross stitch kits for modern makers,” Junebug and Darlin empowers everyone to get sewing. Many of their kits use words and phrases as a way to convey progressive messaging.

Little Pickle Memories

Photo: Little Pickle Memories

Little Pickle Memories started in 2016 after Emma and Nat struggled to find a baby book that reflected their two-mom family. They’ve since expanded their one book into a range of books and products for all types of families.

Johnna Joy Designs

Photo: Johnna Joy Designs

From beautiful statement earrings to creative art prints, Johnna Joy Designs is filled with exceptional finds. Based in Iowa, this queer-owned business also provides custom orders.

Clean Candle Therapy

Photo: Clean Candle Therapy

These soy candles are created using organic essential oils as a way to promote the healing of the mind, body, and spirit. Clean Candle Therapy began when the owner wasn't able to find candles that didn't contain toxic or synthetic substances, and it has blossomed into a thriving business.

In Our Own Words

Photo: In Our Own Words

Etsy shop In Our Own Words was created after the owners couldn’t find greeting cards for LGBTQ+ family and friends that “weren’t crude, inane, sarcastic, or vulgar.” They had also amassed a collection of vintage photographs featuring proud men, women, and children. The sentiments feature these images as cards for a variety of occasions. All the cards are printed using wind power and crafted by local HIV+ men & women.

Fabulously Feminist

Photo: Fabulously Feminist

Callie Garp is the creative mind behind Fabulously Feminist, which focuses on producing art for social and eco-justice. Her illustrations, which have a retro feel, adorn apparel, totes, mugs, stickers, and much more as a way to help you show love for the causes near and dear to your heart.

John Paul Snead Art

Photo: John Paul Snead Art

Illustrator John Paul Snead has a delightful shop filled with original art and accessories that celebrate diversity and Pride. His pastel rainbow art embraces Pride and is available on everything from bags and sweatshirts to glassware and posters.

Sootmegs

Photo: Sootmegs

Sootmegs has created a selection of pins that help say things you might be tired of talking about or things you want to tell people without speaking them. Calling the items “functional badges,” they intend to spread awareness to make hard days easier and the invisible visible.

Studio Drizou

Photo: Studio Drizou

Based in Athens, Studio Drizou creates elegant queer home decor and gifts, including wooden Pride flags that make spectacular wall art. They also have a selection of pronoun pints and queer art.

Pride State

Photo: Pride State

Specializing in apparel for the LGBTQ+ community, the Detroit-based Pride State is filled with cool contemporary designs that celebrate all the colors of the rainbow and their allies.

This article has been edited and updated.

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Photo: Stock Photos from Jacob Lund/Shutterstock
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A sketchbook is the ultimate artist's companion. Like a close friend, you'll spend a lot of time with it and tell it your inner thoughts (through drawing, painting, and writing). Many artists will regularly fill their pads with a bevy of drawings. Some are so polished that their books feel like mobile art galleries. But, gorgeous spreads aren’t the point of keeping a sketchbook. These books are private places to record your doodles, ideations, and observations without the pressure of sharing them with the world. If you want to, that’s great—but first a foremost, a sketchbook should be a place just for you.

So, how do you go about picking the perfect sketchbook for you? Well, there are a few things you'll have to consider…

Photo: Stock Photos from Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Selecting the right sketchbook is a personal choice.

There are a few big considerations you need to take when buying a sketch pad.

1. The size that you like to work in. If you draw a lot, you’ll notice that there’s a scale at which you naturally sketch. Maybe it’s smaller than a quarter or you prefer to take up the entire page. Or, perhaps it’s somewhere in the middle. Take stock of this when selecting a sketchbook. If you like to draw big, make sure you pick something that can handle large art. With miniature drawings, you can opt for something much smaller in size.

2. Where will you be using this sketchbook? Another aspect to determine is where you intend to draw. For sketching at home, the size won’t matter as much—your book doesn’t have to travel. But if you intend to draw on the road, it’d be wise to select a scale that will fit comfortably in a backpack.

3. What media will you use? It’s important to decide what media you’ll use in your sketchbook because it will determine the type of paper that can best handle your art. For pencil and colored pencil, your doodles will be fine on thin 20-pound paper. Tools like watercolor paint, gouache paint, or markers are best used on thicker paper that can handle a lot of media and heavy saturation of materials.

Check out our comprehensive guide for an overview of the types of paper used for art.

Our Picks for the Best Sketchbooks

There are a lot of sketchbooks on the market that come in a variety of bindings and covers. The popular spiral-bound books allow you to lay them completely flat as you draw. Another binding style is called perfect bound, which makes your sketchbook look like a conventional book you'd find on a library shelf. In terms of cover choices, you can opt for inexpensive soft-cover sketch pads or splurge on a hardcover book that offers more durability.

Before you start to doodle, check out our list of best sketchbooks, below.

Sennelier 6″ x 4″ Urban Sketchbook

Sennelier | $20.24

Artists that love to draw on location will love this sketchbook by Sennelier. It features an accordian-fold design that offers eight panels per side for creatives to add their drawings and notes.

Pentalic 9″ x 6″ Nature Sketch Book

Pentalic | $14.69

Open the beautiful foil-stamped cover of this sketchbook by Pentalic and you'll find heavyweight, 211 gsm paper with a medium tooth, rough vellum surface that is ideal for both dry and wet media. In addition, a portion of every sale benefits the American Wildlife Foundation.

Hahnemühle 12″ x 8 1/2″ Tan Sketchbook

Hahnemühle | $23.24

The smooth, tan-toned paper of The Cappuccino Book by Hahnemühle provides an ideal surface for work with India ink, fountain pens, acrylic markers, and other water-based pens.

Alibabette Paris 8.25″ x 5.7″ Journal 

Alibabette Paris Journals | $17.77

Sometimes sketchbooks themselves are works of art. Alibabette Paris Journals feature colorful covers and 240 blank pages of high-quality, 100 gsm ivory drawing paper. This exquisite Bodoni-style stitching allows the book to lie open completely flat as you draw, write, or collage.

Blackwing Palomino 8 1/2″ x 5″ Notebook

Blackwing | $25

If you're a fan of the popular Blackwing Palomino pencils, then maybe it's time to complete the set with a matching journal! The Palomino Notebook is available with blank or lined pages and features a durable, water-resistant cover and dual-sewn binding that allows the book to lie flat.

Shizen Faux Leather 8″ x 6″ Journal

Shizen Designs | $15.50

Take a break from the blank canvas with the inspiring colorful sketchbooks by Shizen Designs. These whimsical journals are bound in a soft faux leather cover and hold 180 pages of 80 gsm paper. Available colors include red, yellow, orange, black, and white.

Global Art 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ Hand Book Artist Journal

Global Art | $13.11

These Global Art Hand Book Journals feature 128 heavyweight pages of 130 gsm and durable hardcovers wrapped in colorful book cloth. These hefty sketchbooks are available in a variety of sizes to suit your different creative projects.

Strathmore Series 400 9″ x 12″ Sketchbook

Strathmore | $9.36

This is the quintessential sketchpad, if you like to draw with dry media. Spiral bound with a soft cover, the 60-pound sheets of paper are perforated to allow you to tear out and frame later. With 100 sheets of paper at a low cost, this is one of the best sketchbooks for keeping in your studio and drawing on every day.

Moleskine 11-3/4” x 8-1/4” Hardcover Sketchbook

Moleskin | $25.48

Moleskine is known for high-quality bound sketchbooks that artists love to use. This book features premium off-white paper that’s 111 lbs and suitable for all types of media. Additionally, Moleskine is great for traveling. It has interior pockets for your artwork and is secured with elastic closure band.

Leda 7″ x 10″ Softbound Sketchbook

Leda Art Supply | $24

The Leda brand has created a premium art journal that boasts 160 cream-colored pages. The smooth, thick paper is meant to handle pens, pencils, pastels, and more. Like Moleskine, it comes with an accordion back pocket and an elastic band to keep the pages together. There is a caveat, however. You'll want to look elsewhere if you're considering painting. “Leda isn't meant for heavy wet media,” the company notes. “Some users experiment with a light watercolor wash.” If you do this, the pages might warp.

Travelogue Drawing Book, Pocket Portrait 5-1/2 x 3-1/2, Cadmium Green Artist Journal

Speedball | $10.99

Speedball is known for its fantastic dip pens, so it's only fitting that their series of sketchbooks would be of the same quality. The Traveloque Drawing books include 128 pages of high-quality 130 gsm paper that is suitable for a variety of dry media, including pen and ink, charcoal, and markers.

Leuchtturm1917 A4 Sketchbook

Leuchtturm1917 | $32.50

All Leuchtturm1917 sketchbooks feature a durable hardcover and 96 pages of high-quality 150 gsm paper. In addition, they are thread-bound in such a way that they can lay flat while the user is sketching.

Fabriano 8 1/4″ x 11 3/4″ Hardcover Black Sketchbook

Fabriano | $18.44

The name Fabriano is synonymous with high-quality creative products. The Hardcover Black Sketchbook features 40 sheets of 190 gsm black paper which is ideal for work in pastel, colored pencil, acrylic paint, and collage.

Once you’ve filled up your favorite sketchbook, don’t throw it away! Look at it later to inspire you in ways you didn’t expect.

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: 13 of the Best Sketchbooks That Artists of All Abilities Love to Draw In

Photo: Stock Photos from Oilly.Ar/Shutterstock
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Do you remember coloring with markers as a kid? Maybe you had an awesome collection of vibrant Crayolas that you’d use when drawing? While we often associate markers with childhood, they still come in handy today—especially if you’re an artist who loves sketching or consider yourself an adult coloring book enthusiast.

There are many great reasons to try art markers. One is because of how easy they are to use and their portability. Whether you’re staying in your studio or drawing on location, it’s effortless to grab a handful of the hues that you’ll need and put them in your bag. And speaking of colors, many artist marker sets come in packs of 12, 18, or even 60 pens, so you’ve got a variety of hues at your disposal. For pigments that you don’t have, many—like Copic markers—allow you to blend like you would colored pencils.

These versatile art supplies can be used to create realistic portraits, decorate crafts, design greeting cards, produce vibrant coloring pages, and much more. That's why any creative will want to make sure that they have a good set of markers on hand. The nice part is that markers not only come in all shapes and sizes but also budgets. We've included a wide range of prices in our recommendations, so whether you are on a tight budget or want to splurge, you'll find something to meet your needs.

To help you find the perfect set for your next art project, we've picked out some of the best high-quality art markers available. Whether you're shopping for aspiring manga artists or an experienced illustrator, our selection has great options for beginner and professional artists alike. These kits come with utensils in an array of vibrant colors and without a strong odor that will inspire you to bring drawings to life.

Scroll down to learn about the types of art markers and to shop for the best art marker sets.

Looking for more drawing supplies? We've got you covered in our guide to the best colored pencils and best drawing pencils.

Photo: Stock Photos from Napoleonka/Shutterstock

Types of Artist Markers

Two of the most popular types of artist markers are pens that are alcohol-based or water-based. Each type has its own characteristics that are essentially the opposite of one another.

Alcohol-based art makers comprise a combination of pigment and alcohol. They are known to dry quickly and are permanent—meaning that if you apply water to them, they won’t smudge. Using alcohol markers gives you the ability to layer color and even create cool ombre effects. There is a downside to alcohol-based markers; however, they sometimes have an odor. If they have a strong smell, it’s best to use them in a well-ventilated area. They also tend to bleed through paper, making them not the best choice for coloring books.

Water-based markers contain water (or a combination of water and glycerin), as their name suggests. They are often not permanent and will bleed if water touches them. However, they are odorless, which makes them great for kids—just make sure you let them dry fully.

How to Select a Marker Tip

When selecting markers, you'll see that there are different tips available. What you select depends on the type of project you are looking to create. Here are some of the most common tips that you will find, with a short explanation of what they are used for. If you aren't sure what you need or think that you'd use multiple tips, look for dual-tipped marker sets. They provide two different-shaped tips on the same marker for greater flexibility.

Fine tip markers are useful for any project where you want to create crisp, precise lines. As the name suggests, they are perfect for creating fine details. These markers aren't the best choice if you want to fill in large areas of color, but can also be used in specific places to create highlights and contrast.

Chisel tip markers give artists more options since they can be used to create details or fill in color depending on the way the tip is used. Calligraphers and anyone producing hand-lettering projects commonly use them.

Brush tip markers are another versatile type of marker designed to help you explore your creativity. The tip acts like a paintbrush and can produce a wide variety of lines depending on the pressure you apply. Increased pressure causes the tip to fan out and fill in large areas, while light pressure will produce a crisp, thin line. Skilled artists will use these properties to produce a single stroke of varying widths, allowing for endless creative possibilities.

Bullet tip markers aren't necessarily great for coloring but work well when creating an art journal or anything that involves writing.

Best Art Markers

Copic 12-Piece Sketch Basic Set

Copic | $70.20

Copic brand is one of the most popular artist markers out there. An alcohol-based ink, the colors are non-toxic and are refillable once you’ve used all of the pigment. They are more expensive than other brands, but people who use them understand why they are so pricey. “They are INCREDIBLE,” one reviewer writes. “Coloring with them is a similar process to watercolor, where it's all about layering and blending. The markers go on smooth and wonderful and they are able to blend with similar colors beautifully.”

Copic 6-Piece Skin Tones Sketch Set

Copic | $34.70

This set is the same great Copic-brand markers but tailored to skin-tone colored hues. It's perfect for drawing portraits!

Staedtler Double-Ended Fiber-Tip Pen Set of 36

Staedtler | $14.27

Staedtler's double-ended pens are like two markers in one. Each utensil features a fine nib on one side and a broad nib on the other, so you have more creative flexibility in your coloring.

Uni-posca 16-Piece Paint Marker Pens

Uni-posca | $41.62

In the world of art markers, Uni-posca (aka Posca) has been gaining traction in creative circles. They are water-based paint markers that are lightfast and waterproof—but they don’t bleed if water is applied once they've dried. Their opaque felt tip can even write on a variety of surfaces, including metal and plastic; reviewers on Amazon say they’ve decorated things like their Gameboys and surfboards.

Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pens Set of 12

Sakura | $15.64

These brush pens by Sakura are perfect for illustrators. They feature flexible nibs that allow the user to create fine, medium, and bold strokes depending on how much pressure they apply to the pen. Plus, these utensils are completely odorless.

Winsor & Newton Promarker Brush Markers Set of 6

Winsor & Newton | $16.80

This set by Winsor & Newton features six alcohol-based markers that are ideal for rendering and shading. As dual-nibbed pens, they feature a fine nib on one side and a brush tip on the other.

Ohuhu 36 Colors Dual Tips Markers

Ohuhu | $12.99

Ohuhu has created a set of dual-ended markers that feature a broad tip on one end and a fine-liner on the other. This makes it easy to move from precise highlighting and underlining to drawing with thin lines. These pens will go the distance, too. This particular set allows you to color in at least 984 feet worth of drawings.

Prismacolor 12-Count Double-Ended Art Markers

Prismacolor | $29.99

Prismacolor remains one of the top brands for artist supplies. This highly-regarded set is a great deal for the quantity as well as the quality of markers; the alcohol-based, dual-tipped pens come in 12 rainbow hues that beginners or professionals alike will be happy with. “You can tell these are artist quality,” one reviewer shares. “I have already been able to achieve things in this medium that I previously didn’t know was possible. For example, it was relatively easy for me to figure out how to colour without streaking, something I found impossible with other markers and therefore didn’t know was an option.”

Tanmit 40 Dual-Tipped Brush Pens / Art Markers

Tanmit | $9.97

Another set of double-ended markers, Tanmit brand gives you an incredible amount of colors for a reasonable price. Both tips are on the narrower side—one is a brush style while the other is a pen—so they are ideal for sketching or filling in your art journal.

Feela 100-Count Watercolor Dual Brush Tip and Highlighters

Feela | $25.99

Looking for a ton of colors? Feela has it with their watercolor pens. Designed for both broad strokes and fine-detailed work, the water-based ink blends smoothly and won’t bleed through your paper (unless you go over the same spot multiple times). If you’re an adult coloring-book enthusiast, this could be the set for you. The consensus among reviewers is that this set is great for casual coloring.

Faber-Castell 12 Pitt Artist Brush Pens

Faber-Castell | $41.50

Faber-Castell is another brand synonymous with artist-quality supplies. Their PITT Artist Pens combine a synthetic brush nib with traditional India ink. The results are “deep and true color” pens that are fade-resistant and waterproof.

Caran d'Ache Fibralo Marker Set of 30

Caran d'Ache | $60.75

Sketching, drawing, coloring—the Fibralo Markers by Swiss art company Caran d'Ache can do it all. Each marker contains water-soluble ink that is vegetable-based, non-allergenic, and won't bleed through paper. Plus, even if you forget to put the cap back on, these durable pens retain their vibrancy for up to seven days.

Tombow Dual Brush Pens Set of 54 

Tombow | $132.99

Tombow markers are among the most popular double-tipped pens out there. The hard nylon tip allows you to draw fine lines and lettering, whereas the fiber brush tip can fill large spaces with the odorless water-based ink.

Chartpak Landscape Marker Set of 25

Chartpak | $111.69

Instead of a dual-tipped marker, Chartpak has designed a single nib that allows three distinct line weights with just a shift of the wrist! These markers go from a fine point to medium weight and even broad strokes.

Windsor & Newton ProMarkers Student Designer Wallet Set of 24

Winsor & Newton | $64.71

If you're looking for markers to use in design, comic art, or illustration, Winsor & Newton's ProMarkers are the way to go. These dependable tools provide even application of permanent, alcohol-based ink and are available in a wide variety of sets and colors.

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: 15 Best Art Marker Sets for Coloring Enthusiasts and Professional Creatives

Photo: Mehmet Cetin / Shutterstock
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Colored pencils are often associated with childhood, but with the adult coloring book craze, it's clear that grown-ups like to use them, too. These tools, however, can do much more than color inside lines. Artists regularly use colored pencils in their drawings because they offer a range of possibilities—especially in their hues. While many professional sets include a bevy of beautiful colors, you can layer them to create even more dimension in your work.

While colored pencils may seem like something you use when you're a child, they're actually a versatile art supply that any creative should have on hand. They allow you to layer color, create texture, and produce vibrant images that pop off the page. You can use wax-based pencils, oil-based pencils, or even watercolor pencils to vary your artwork.

Determining the best colored pencils can be a challenge. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference, but to get you started on the right track, we’ve identified some of the best pencils to try. These brands are available to purchase online, so it’s easy to test out a few different pencils without breaking the bank. It's important to find your favorites; by taking the time to hone your tools, you'll make producing your art more enjoyable. Make sure you try out your pencils using these essential colored pencil techniques. They'll provide a good gauge as to whether you'll like drawing with them long-term.

Looking for graphite drawing pencils? We've got you covered in our guide to the best drawing pencils.

How can you tell the quality of colored pencils?

One of the most crucial aspects is, of course, the color. Professional or Artist grade pencils are generally of higher quality than materials labeled as Student grade. In terms of colored pencils, this means they’ll deliver richer hues that offer a more vibrant color once you put them to paper. They also offer exceptional lightfastness, meaning your work won't fade over time. Avoid dull or pale tones, as they’re lower quality with less pigment in the lead.

Another important characteristic is how well the pencil glides over the paper. The best-colored pencils will seem to move effortlessly as you drag them across a surface. This is thanks to their ingredients. If you’re looking for top-of-the-line pencils, go for something that’s oil-based as opposed to wax-based. Hard wax, especially, can be brittle, which makes it harder to blend colors.

Best Colored Pencils

Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Pencils (set of 72)

Prismacolor | $74.99

Prismacolor Premier is considered by many to be ideal for beginners, as well as the best colored pencils for coloring books. They're a low price per pencil (only about $1 per pencil when you buy this set of 150!) and are made of soft wax; they blend well with a buttery application. One thing to be aware of is that, due to their soft nature, it can be more difficult to keep a sharp point, and they are prone to breakage. But, if you want to ease into colored pencils,  try out this set.

Blick Studio Artists' Colored Pencils (set of 48)

Blick | $37.50

One of America's biggest art supply stores has developed its own in-house colored pencils following guidance by artists from the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA). As such, Blick Studio Artists' Colored Pencils are a mix of professional quality at an affordable price. Highly pigmented and fade-resistant, the line has 91 colors that are sold individually or in sets.

Tombow Colored Pencil Set (Set of 36)

Tombow | $41.59

Another set that’s great for beginners and casual coloring book fans is Tombow. This 36-color set of pencils features 3mm cores inside cedar casings for even sharpening and break-resistance. The colored pencils also come inside of a metal case for easy portability.

ARTEZA Professional Wax-Based Core Pencils (set of 48)

ARTEZA | $18.50

Geared towards artists, ARTEZA‘s set of soft, wax-based core pencils boasts professional quality at a budget-conscious price. The set of 48 pencils focuses on brilliant colors that will make your artwork pop. These aspects make them a hit. “These pencils look very classy,” a reviewer shares, “and like a much higher-end product than the price would suggest.”

Fantasia Colored Pencils (set of 48)

Fantasia | $38.81

For beginners, Fantasia is a great way to get into colored pencils without investing too heavily. Their extra-thick, blendable cores make them perfect for layering and blending. “I got these for my 8-year-old son so could have his own ‘good set' of pencils in a tin like mom,” one reviewer commented. “I tried them out and actually like these nearly as much as my Prisma's and more than some of the other much more expensive pencils I have tried.”

Koh-I-Noor Polycolor Pencils (set of 24)

Koh-I-Noor | $34.48

Koh-I-Noor's Polycolor premium oil-based drawing pencils are ideal for both coloring and drawing. They can be layered and blended to create a variety of different hues.

Cretacolor Mega Colored Pencils (set of 24)

Cretacolor | $42.53

These extra-thick colored pencils have a 6.4 mm core that allows for broad strokes. Their waxy formulation makes them perfect for blending and layering, and as they're designed for all skill levels, beginners and professionals will enjoy their rich pigmentation. Cretacolor Mega Colored Pencils come in 36 colors and are available in a range of sets.

Derwent Colorsoft Pencils (set of 24)

Derwent | $41.63

If you’re looking to move beyond the beginner sets, try Derwent pencils. Created with artists in mind, they have a more muted palette—including beautiful terracottas and cadmium. It’s recommended that you use these for work where there’s a lot of shading and blending, as they’re less adept at depicting fine, sharp details. Derwent also prides itself on producing pencils that are 100% lightfast, meaning that your work will last in time.

Caran D'ache Luminance Colored Pencil (set of 20)

Caran D'ache | $69.19

The Caran D'ache colored pencils are known for their ability to blend. Many who start with the Prismacolor Premier enjoy the Caran D'ache because you can easily and beautifully burnish the hues. This is great news if you enjoy realistic drawing because it will help develop three-dimensional form. Want a set that's a little smaller (and less expensive)? Try Caran D'ache's “soft and unbreakable” core featuring 12 colored pencils in a tin container.

Uni-Posca Colored Pencils (Set of 36)

Uni-Posca | $44.76

This set of 36 oil-based colored pencils by Uni-Posca is ideal for drawings and mixed-media work. Each pencil is fade-resistant, highly opaque, and blendable.

LYRA Rembrandt Polycolor Art Pencils (set of 72)

Lyra | $74.25

With its price, the oil-based Lyra Rembrandts are probably in your “splurge” category, but this particular set is great for serious artists who love to draw. In addition to paper, you can also use these on synthetic materials, wood, and textiles.

Faber-Castell Polychromos Color Pencils (set of 120)

Faber-Castell | $154.56

The oil-based Faber-Castell Polychromos colors are lauded for their rich pigments that easily go on the paper, and you don’t have to press as hard to achieve brilliant saturated tones. “My favorite quality of these pencils besides how they lay down beautiful rich color is they are named actual pigment names,” one reviewer writes, “So if you have ever painted, you'll be familiar with these colors.”

Holbein Artists' Colored Pencils (Set of 150)

Holbein | $568

Holbein creates superbly pigmented, premium-quality pencils, and this set of 150 is a dream for every colored pencil-enthusiast. It features three rows of utensils in a rainbow of different hues. Although the price point is high, the quality and lush application of color will make it worth your while. Holbein is known for its exceptional color range and is a high-quality product with exceptional lightfastness.

Something to Keep in Mind as You Shop For Colored Pencils

If you hesitate to spend money on this type of artistic tool, remember that they’re meant to last. “Colored pencils are different from the paints and markers we use because we typically have them a lot longer,” Cheryl Trowbridge of Teach Kids Art advises. “They don’t dry out like markers do, and they don’t get used up as fast as markers and paint do.”

Photo: Colored Pencil Portraits

How to Make the Most of Your Favorite Colored Pencils

Once you have your colored pencils—and found a brand you love—hone your skills with online classes! There are many courses on how to use them. Why not try one of the following?

• Drawing with Colored Pencils: Basic Blending Tips & Techniques
• Painting with Colored Pencils: A Beginner's Guide
• How to draw Realistic Hair with Colored Pencils
• Colored-Pencils Portraits : How to Master Them
• Colored Pencil Drawing Technique: Blending with Solvent
• Architectural Illustration for Everyone: Draw Buildings in Ink and Colored Pencil

Looking for a cool colored pencils project?

Artist Demi Lang has a comprehensive course on architectural illustration on My Modern Met Academy. Her online class is called Architectural Illustration for Everyone: Draw Buildings in Ink and Colored Pencil. It will take you step by step through her process of sketching structures with pencil and then colored pencils; and when complete, you will have created your own charming architectural illustration.

Get started with her course here!

This article has been updated and edited.

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READ: 13 Best Colored Pencil Sets for Coloring Book Enthusiasts and Professional Artists

Parents can be a challenge to shop for, and moms are no expectation. What do you get for the woman who has given you everything? It’s said that experiences bring greater joy than things, which is the perfect excuse to get your mom started with online learning. Through My Modern Met Academy, our e-learning platform, you can give your mom the gift of knowledge through drawing, painting, crafts, and photography. And just in time for Mother’s Day (in the U.S.), we’re having a sale. From now through May 13, 2024, at 7:59 pm EDT, save 15% on all of our creative classes when you use the code iloveyoumom15 at checkout.

So, what will you get for mom? If your favorite lady loves flowers, we’ve got a fun class for her to try called Beyond Bouquets: Turning Pressed Flowers Into One-of-a-Kind Art. Taught by instructor Anna Zakirova, the class teaches students how to press a variety of flowers and turn them into one-of-a-kind works of botanical art. This includes the iconic rose and approaches to pressing daisies.

For something completely different—but still great for beginners—gift your mom a hopeful hand-lettering course. Titled Write Out Your Future: Hand Letter an Inspiring Phrase, instructor Danison Fronda demonstrates the basics of hand lettering and how to cultivate your own writing style. The final project is lettering the phrase, “I am still learning.” It’s a great reminder that we’re never too old to try something new.

Scroll down for more classes available on My Modern Met Academy. Once you find a course that you like, don’t delay as this sale will only last through Mother’s Day. Remember to use the code iloveyoumom15 to save 15%. It will then be in your course library where you can watch it as often as you like.

*Discount excludes gift certificates and bundles. This discount is not cumulable.

My Modern Met Academy is having a Mother's Day sale. Save 15% on all online classes when you use the code iloveyoumom15. Here are some of the classes available to take:

Beyond Bouquets: Turning Pressed Flowers Into One-of-a-Kind Art

Enroll in Beyond Bouquets: Turning Pressed Flowers Into One-of-a-Kind Art.

Dappled Light: Learn Abstract Painting with Acrylics

Enroll in Dappled Light: Learn Abstract Painting with Acrylics.

Write Out Your Future: Hand Letter an Inspiring Phrase

Enroll in Write Out Your Future: Hand Letter an Inspiring Phrase.

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It goes without saying that our moms are special people, 365 days a year. On Mother’s Day, however, it gives us all the excuse to celebrate the women who shaped who we are and shower them with gifts that convey our never-ending gratitude. We’ve already selected some of our favorite creative products to buy for Mother’s Day, as well as easy DIY projects for the occasion. But if you’re someone who loves to browse, we’ve got some perfect places to look at—and many of them have special promotions just for Mother’s Day!

Sites like Etsy are great places to find beautiful and quirky gifts. Etsy, in particular, has a ton of possibilities, and they’ve put together an extensive collection of shops for you to peruse. From jewelry to original art to ceramics, you can find it all for mom.

Check out some of our favorite online shops for Mother's Day gifts.

Etsy

Etsy is a massive online marketplace that offers bespoke gifts, hard-to-find vintage items, and so much more. They rarely offer site-wide discounts, but sellers will set their own sales. To make finding the perfect easier, the editors at Etsy have created a bevy of recommendations that mom is sure to love. From handmade mugs to self-care items, these picks will help you get started:

Best Mom Ever Ceramic Mug

Sweet Water Decor | $24.39

Shower Steamer Gift Set

Lizush | $36.48+

Gemstone Necklace

Jill Makes | $54.90

My Modern Met Store

My Modern Met Store prides itself on offering the best creative goods from makers around the world. We offer a host of great gifts for moms—embroidery kits, artsy accessories, and home decor, that will make your mother feel appreciated on her special day.

Vintage Bird Scarf

Shovava | $62+

Three-Wick Succulent and Cacti Terrarium Candle

Zoet Candles | $49.95

Flower Pattern Gold Weekender

LOQI | $44.95

My Modern Met Academy

Does your mom have an artsy side? Another great gift idea can be an online class in one of her favorite subjects. My Modern Met Academy offers a variety of courses in drawing, painting, and crafting, each of which is taught by a qualified instructor. By purchasing a gift certificate, you can give your mom the freedom to select from a number of creative courses.

Mixed Media Thread Painting: Learn to Embroidery Your Travel Memories

My Modern Met Academy | $45.95

Learn how to embroider your travel memories using thread painting and watercolor paint.

Animal Portraits in Colored Inks: Tell a Visual Story That Conveys Emotion

My Modern Met Academy | $34.95

Explore ways to add emotion and personality to your artwork by using colored inks. In bite-sized lessons, this expressive illustration course will guide you through creating your own animal portrait from start to finish.

Drawing 101: Learn the Building Blocks of Sketching

My Modern Met Academy | $45.95

Learn the fundamentals of drawing and gain the confidence to sketch any subject you like.

Blick Art Materials

If you know a mom who loves to get creative, whether it be with watercolors or working up drawings in a sketchbook, America's leading online art supplier has great deals. Blick Art Materials often has incredible deals on watercolors, pastels, sketchbooks, and much more. A new paint set, for example, makes a great gift to inspire your mom's next project.

Professional Watercolor Pan Set

Winsor & Newton | $79.74

Travel Brushes, Set of 3

Le Voyageur | $62.15

Speedball Textbook Project Kit

Speedball | $21.51

Uncommon Goods

Uncommon Goods has something for every type of mom with their massive selection of products. They have gifts for foodies, style mavens, DIY enthusiasts, and more. Many of their items can be personalized, too.

Glass Bird House

Erica and Steven Moore | $69

Self-Care Gift Set

Lizzy Siman-Tov | $44

Mindfulness Card Set

Uncommon Goods | $16.95

Glossier

Help your mom pamper herself with skincare products and makeup from Glossier. Created by the beauty editors of Into the Gloss, these products come in beautiful, modern packaging and are designed to be uncomplicated and intuitive.

Do-Everything Lip Balm

Balm Dotcom | $14

Conditioning Face Wash and Oil-Serum Hybrid Set

Milky Jelly Cleanser + Futuredew | $45

The Complete Body Hero Collection

Oil Wash + Exfoliating Bar + Perfecting Lotion + Oil Mist | $90

CrateJoy

Subscription boxes are the gift that keeps on giving. But with so many, where do you start? CrateJoy has an incredible number of boxes to choose from for every interest.

TheraBox: Self-Care Subscription Box

CrateJoy | $34.99+ per month

My Garden Box

CrateJoy | $56.25+ per month

Free Your Tea

CrateJoy | $43+ per month

Gourmet Gift Baskets

Want to give your mom a gourmet treat? Pick out the perfect gift basket from this company, which has been in operation for over 20 years. Whether your mom has a sweet tooth or is a wine connoisseur, you're sure to find something that she'll love.

Best Mom Ever Tea Time Basket

Gourmet Gift Baskets | $109.99

Mother's Day Chocolate Gift Basket

Gourmet Gift Baskets | $74.99

Classic Red Wine Gift Basket

Gourmet Gift Baskets | $89.99

Casetify

Even if your mom isn't tech-savvy, chances are she has a smartphone or tablet. Dress her tech with one of the artist-created designs available on Casetify. The online shop sells pretty phone cases, tablet cases, Airpod holders, Apple Watchbands, and more.

Botanical Phone Case

Casetify | $82

Black Stars Apple Watch Band

Casetify | $52

Modern Faux Rose Gold iPad Case

Casetify | $74

Society6

From shower curtains to pillows to framed prints—Society6 has it all! Treat your mom to artistic gifts that match her aesthetic.

Leopard Vase Rug

Megan Galante | $67.20+

William Morris Floral Blackout Curtains

Alexandra_Arts | $91.20+

Abstract Cutting Board

lalunetricotee Art Paintings | $34.20+

This article has been edited and updated.

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This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Mother’s Day in the United States is rapidly approaching—it'll be here on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Though we don’t need a holiday to tell our moms how much they mean to us, this special celebration is a nice way to express our appreciation for everything they do. And, the internet is chock-full of items that would make for unique gifts for mom (this includes grandma and any other mother figures, too!). To help you in your quest for the perfect present, we’ve gathered a bevy of Mother's Day gift ideas from makers around the world that are sure to make a splash this year.

These gifts cover a range of interests for every type of mom. Some are interesting pieces that can serve as decoration in the home, while others make for a great DIY gift that will inspire your mom to start making crafts again. For instance, if your mom loves fresh flowers, we’ve found an ingenious way to display beautiful blooms in the home, which will ensure it's the best Mother's Day she's ever had.

Of course, jewelry always makes a great gift, and we're also including some creative pieces on the list. From a mixed birthstone necklace that celebrates the bond between mother and child to a minimalist necklace that lets your mom wear her title proudly, there's something for everyone.

Other items will help ensure that your mother gets some much-needed self-care. Whether soaking in a tub and taking in the scent of a lavender bath bomb or warming her toes in the comfort of fuzzy ballerina slippers, she'll appreciate you looking out for her.

In addition, some of the best Mother's Day gift ideas will bring a smile to your mom's face. We like bird-shaped bottle stoppers for wine enthusiasts and llama tea infusers for moms who appreciate a playful touch to their kitchen. And the perfect gift for those who love science? Rachel Ignotofsky has written and illustrated a colorful book on 50 pioneering women in the field. Running short on time? These products also work as great last-minute gifts.

Scroll down to our selection of the best Mother's Day gifts.

Need some unique Mother’s Day gift ideas for the wonderful moms in your life?

Mother's Love Mug

Colleen Huth | $30

Greenhouse Pop-Up Card

Liif | $9.99

Smartphone Holder

Artori Design | $15.95

Minimalist “Mama” Necklace

CaitlynMinimalist | $25.90

Blue Jay Embroidery Kit

Kiriki Press | $22

Handmade Bud Vase

display beautiful blooms | $22

“You're a Cool Mom” Candle

MoncioniFragranceLab | $13.72+

Custom Family Portrait

Discovering You | $53.68+

Travel Painting Kit

Viviva Colors | $45

Flower Pattern Weekender Bag

LOQI | $44.95

Personalized Recipe Cutting Board

Uncommon Goods | $100

Custom Flower Bouquet Picture Frame

Crowhurst Custom | $27.33+

Outdoor Wine Glass Table

Michael and Ania Shepler | $62+

Hand-Painted Silk Scarf

AncientGreekScarves | $149.66

Custom Mixed Birthstone Necklace

Catherine Weitzman | $75

Clear Quartz Air Plant Holder

Rocknair | $46.36

The Bread Baker's Notebook

Uncommon Goods | $21

Black Cat Yarn Bowl

KennyClayCo | $46.36

Como Tea Llama Infuser

Fred & Friends | $11.99

Plant Lady Sweatshirt

Roden Designs TX | $17.07+

Daisy Necklace

Mariaela | $24.96

Lavender Bath Bomb

theblacksheepsoapco | $7.93

Wicked Witch Bookmark

MyBookmark | $23.99

Empowering Book About 50 Female Pioneers Who Changed the World

Rachel Ignotofsky | $15.19

Ballerina Herbal Warming Slippers

Uncommon Goods | $48

Three-Wick Succulent and Cacti Terrarium Candle

Zoet Candles | $49.95

Vintage Camper Bird House

One Man One Garage | $7+

Spring Embossed Rolling Pin

Mood for Wood | $20.13

Frida Kahlo Tote Bag

Desirée Feldmann | $30+

Pocket RGB Wisdom

Hardie Grant | $9.99

Cat Skeleton Candle

54Celcius | $39

Splatypus Jar Scraper

OTOTO | $14.95

Flower Wall Clock

Decoy Lab | $107.36

Bird Bottle Stopper

Masterskaya 17:17 | $109

Moms Love Coffee! 2 Tablespoon Heart Scoop

Beehive Handmade | $59.78

Because I Said So Enamel Pin

Carolyn Draws | $9.36

Things are great, but buying experiences can offer a lasting impact on your mom. So, here are five other ideas for Mother’s Day gifts that come in the form of creative online classes.

Online Art Classes

Crochet Crash Course: Learn the basics of crochet and create a fun fringey bag in the process.

Hand Lettering for Beginners: Get acquainted with brush lettering and color blending for unique, beautiful writing.

Creative iPhoneography Tips & Tricks: Make the most of your phone's camera to create incredible images.

Acrylic Painting Masterclass: Dive into contemporary landscape painting using acrylics with artist Luiza Niechoda. Along the way, learn to stretch your own canvas and create a hue matrix that will last for years to come.

Contemporary Cake Designs: Create your own show-stopper cake with easy-to-follow instructions on professional-level stenciling, painting, doodling, and more.

Need even more options? Check out the My Modern Met Store‘s custom selection of gifts for mom.

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READ: 37 Creative Mother’s Day Gifts for the Greatest Woman in Your Life