2025 Art Supply Gift Guide
Iāve officially been running HALMAIL on Substack for 1 year. I told myself to just experiment and not put pressure on it to be anything in particular. Iāve seen it slowly take shape into something thatās like: Weekly-ish (often autobiographical) comics and handwritten missives where I share my observations on parenthood and lifeās ups and downs, while raving about art supplies.
So I guess thatās good information to have. Iām going to continue experimenting and letting it take shape. Itās nice that itās free. I donāt feel like I owe anybody anything, Iām simply grateful youāre here, and I offer you my art as a gift. I hope it makes your everyday life better in some way. I hope you try new pens and pencils and make your own art, and I hope that makes your life better, too.
This year, even more so than last year, Iām thinking about an āart supplyā in a wide-ranging way. An art supply can be something you literally use to make art, like a pen, or something like a book that inspires you to make art.
Kuretake Zig Ai Liner Brush Pen
I was re-ordering recently and noticed on the page for the Kuretake Ai Liner it said ānot for use on your eyes.ā Apparently it was designed after eye liner brushes! Which now that I think about it makes total sense. Iām obsessed with this pen. A very fine, delicate look from a really sturdy brush pen. It looks and feels like youāre using an actual brush and ink. Itās very calligraphic and graceful. Itās waterproof!
Itās fun to draw cats, rain, foliage, anything wispy with the Ai Liner. Vary your pressure and go from an incredibly fine line to a thick brushy one. I feel fancy when I draw with it, but also childlike, in a nice way. Itās pretty and has gold decoration on it and would probably be an delightful gift for anyone who enjoys a cool pen. Iām sad to report theyāre out of stock on JetPens (trying not to freak out about it getting discontinued) so we have to resort to Amazon for now ĀÆ\_(ć)_/ĀÆ
William Whale pencil case from Donna Wilson
UK-based Donna Wilson makes lovely, magical illustrated products like stuffed animals, knitwear, and cute goodies like this pencil case. Fill William Whale with some thoughtfully pre-sharpened colored pencils from Blackwing, throw in an artistic license and youāve got yourself an absolute home run.
A fun bumper sticker
My husband Jack is, among other things, a true artist in the medium of bumper sticker. He really has a way with them! His bumper stickers are carried in cute lil shops across the country. A few weeks ago we spotted HELL AINāT REAL in a museum bookshop in Columbus. He just released a new batch on Buy Olympia!
A blank board book
I stumbled across this interesting (possibly christian??) school supply store called Miller Pads & Paper when I was panicking about marbled construction paper being discontinued. They had it and I ordered like twenty pads of it which now cram my shelves.
Anyway, while I was perusing their site, I discovered they sell blank books, including board books! I immediately ordered one and made Billy Bunny, which is, you guessed it, about a Bunny named Billy. I love a blank book! So official. Order a couple and turn it into a fun bonding activity: letās make board books! Itās nice that they cost like two dollars so you can just go crazy and not be too precious about it. Consider combining with a gift of COPIC markers which I can confirm work well on the board book surface.
My picture book, Eggasaurus
Did you know I illustrated an actual picture book?? Itās called Eggasaurus and it came out in 2022. Itās about baby dinosaurs and is silly and heartwarming and was a blast to draw. Some people have told me their kids demand to read it again and again at bedtime š„¹ Especially now that Iām a parent myself, itās a true honor!
A beret
I have always found a beret to be validating of my identity as an artist. Even 12 years into my career, I wrestle with impostor syndrome constantly. But artist = beret, and I feel like an artist when I wear one. A cute artist!
I had a yellow beret for a long time and now I have a white one. Theyāre usually made of wool, so theyāre warm. Itās easy to feel a bit silly buying a beret for yourself, so itās a nice thing to be gifted. Maybe thereās somewhere that sells really fancy berets but this one from Kohlās looks great and comes in nice colors. I like the green one.
Another validating and useful accessory? An apron.
A giant paper roll
Option 1: Give this to the artist in your life who might enjoy the encouragement to draw bigger & take up more space with their art.
Option 2: Bring a big roll of paper to your holiday gathering. Tape the paper down over the dining table and dump some crayons and markers out on it. Let the whole family doodle to their heartās content for a day or two. Enjoy having something to do with your hands. Enjoy how kids and adults can participate equally. Enjoy seeing the handwriting and drawing style of your loved ones who donāt usually draw. Take some photos of stuff you want to remember and when youāre done, bunch it up and toss it in the trash!
A graphic novel / illustrated book
Graphic novels and illustrated books make great gifts! They tend to be more pricey, so itās an exciting and indulgent gift to receive. Also, I think there are a lot of readers who havenāt gotten into graphic books YET but would love them if they were exposed to them by, say, being gifted the right one by you. Here are 15 graphic novels that might make good gifts:
For the creative - What It Is by Lynda Barry
For the dog lover - Fetch by Nicole Georges
For the animal lover - Sad Animal Facts by
For the new or expectant parent - How to Baby by
For the Beatles fan - Fab4 Mania by Carol Tyler
For the sweet kid/ tween - Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisely
For the teen/ young adult - Am I There Yet? By
For the punk - King Cat Classix by John Porcellino
For the Bigfoot truther - In Me Own Words by Graham Roumieu
For the true crime fan - Murder Book by
For your parent or adult kid - What To Do When Iām Gone by me and my mom
For anyone you want to get to know better - A Proust Questionnaire by Joanna Neborsky
For the word nerd - The Elements of Style illustrated by Maira Kalman
For anyone who loves a good memoir - Ducks by Kate Beaton
For the romantic - Drawn Together by Olivia de Recat
I hope you give art and art-related things this season, and shop small, for peteās sake.
Thanks for being here,
ā¤ļø Hal
Hereās last yearās gift guide if you want to check it out.
Here is where you can buy beautiful tee shirts that support Palestine relief efforts & other important causes.
My prints, cards, etc. are sold at BuyOlympia.











these are great. i would love to see what kids/board books you and your babies love too!
The paper roll is brilliant! Ordering for our family holiday party. Thanks for the idea!