Drawing Supply list and recommended brands
These are the drawing supplies I recommend for my classes or if you’re just planning on starting out with drawing in general. You can always get by with just a pencil, eraser, and paper, but if you’re interested in shading, expanding your set to the list below can really broaden your horizons. I spend way more time than I would ever like to on finding the most eco-conscious, vegan, cruelty-free, and affordable art supplies that I can, so check out the recommendations and suggestions below if you’re a conscientious shopper too.
I try to give a variety of sufficient-quality products at a range of prices. How much you spend on them is totally up to you, but just keep in mind that art supplies tend to be better when you spend more on them. If you want more options, this link gives great advice on finding more vegan supplies.
Graphite
Shading must-haves:
Drawing pencils AKA sketch pencils (I like to have 2H, B, 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B)
Eraser
Kneadable Eraser
Blending stumps or tortillons
Drawing paper (easiest in a sketchbook)
Optional, but highly recommended:
Vine charcoal—see charcoal section below
Compressed Charcoal—see charcoal section below
Coloring media I use and teach:
Colored pencils
Alcohol Markers
Soft Pastels
Recommendations:
Drawing/Sketch Pencils:
The cores of these pencils have different densities, allowing you to get lighter or darker values easily. These make shading so much easier!
My favorite: Faber Castell Graphite Sketch Set—This set comes with an eraser and sharpener as well
Erasers:
My favorite Kneaded Eraser: Artist's Loft Kneaded Eraser —These erasers are not good for erasing, but excellent for shading and adding details.
My favorite Eraser: Pentel Hi-Polymer Eraser (pack of 3)—These erasers are amazing. They can erase almost anything.
Blending Stumps and Tortillons:
I don’t have a favorite; I think any will do, but here’s a link to a pack with a good variety of sizes:
Drawing paper:
My favorite: Strathmore® 400 Series Recycled Sketch Paper Pad—I have still yet to find a good sketchbook that has completely recycled white paper.
Charcoal
Charcoal must-haves:
Vine charcoal
Compressed Charcoal: soft and hard at least)
Kneadable Eraser—I recommend keeping a specific kneaded eraser for charcoal, as it gets gunked up quickly)
Blending stumps or tortillons—You may want separate ones of these for charcoal as well, but it’s not as necessary as the kneaded eraser.
Charcoal paper
Optional, but highly recommended:
Charcoal pencils
Recommendations:
Vine Charcoal:
My favorite: Winsor & Newton™ Artists' Vine Charcoal, Medium—I mostly use vine for my undersketch as it is easy to erase, so I don’t use hard sticks.
Compressed Charcoal:
My favorite: Compressed Charcoal Sticks by Artist's Loft—This kit has all you need for compressed charcoal with a soft, medium, and hard. It also has a “white charcoal.” I use compressed charcoal for shading and modeling.
Charcoal Pencils:
Charcoal Paper:
More info to come!
