In this guide I'm including items for all needs and budgets.
Without a doubt, the number one gift for this year for either people starting on manga, or interested in going all digital with their artwork is:
- Wacom Bamboo Splash Tablet: launched in 2011, this is the most affordable retail version of the Wacom tablet you will ever find, and yet it's probably the best model ever launched. This modest version of 1024 levels of sensitivity is the most practical. No wonder it's soaring in sales at a price of around $66. You get all the functionalities and versatility you need to complete tasks and projects, that would normally take days, in a matter of hours in your screen. Eat your heart out, naysayers that stated that the tablet was not good quality because of the price!!
- Royal & Langnickel Manga Satchel Artist Pack: this drawer's bag has everything you need to store and protect your artwork, your pencils, nibs, markers, colors, portfolio. IT.HAS.POCKETS.FOR.EVERY.SINGLE.THING. You won't regret buying it with all the goodies that it includes: pen markers, a draft notebook, erasers, mechanical pencils, all ready to work. It is made of a solid fabric that makes it durable for everyday use.
- Prismacolor Premier Manga Colored Pencil Set, 23 Colored Manga Pencils: pretty much understated, Prismacolor caters to manga drawers with this great quality and price pencil set that includes verithin and soft core pencils to bring out the most dimension and liveliness of your artwork for professional results.
- Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils, 36 Colored Pencils: this is the complete set of verithin pencils if you're looking for a especific effect, for very detailed and realistic artwork.
- Copic Markers MLB2 Multiliner Inking Pen, Set B-2: this set has lasted me for a year now. The quality is outstanding and well-worth the price. From 0.03 to to 1.0 and Small and Medium Brush, this will not fail you.
- Wacom Bamboo Create Pen and Touch Tablet: if you have a good budget, you can choose to buy this model of the Bamboo at $174.99. This CTH-670 model is marketed in Australia and Asia as Wacom Bamboo Manga. The only difference with Bamboo Splash is that it has twice the drawing surface, and the multi-touch input, in which you can scroll, zoom, rotate and swipe your artwork without using your keyboard.
- Speedball Calligraphy No-1/2 Artists Project Set: this set of traditional pen nibs for calligraphy includes the Maru Pen (often known as Tama or Saji Pen) and the Kabura pen for manga inking. These nibs are perfectly durable. Even if you don't use a G-Pen, these nibs give you the full range of flowing thin and thick lines you need for your artwork.
- Sakura 6-Piece Pigma Micron Clam Ink Pen Set, Black: the only difference with COPIC is that this brand is much more affordable if you are on a tight budget.
