Tools of the Trade
Pencils, Erasers, and Paper
Starting your art journey is exciting—but let’s be honest, it can also be a little overwhelming. With so many art supplies out there, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of sketchbooks, brushes, and fancy pencils. But here’s the good news: you don’t need loads of tools to start drawing. You could produce a perfectly lovely little piece using just a mechanical pencil, a child’s eraser and a post-it note (see picture inserted). But here are some other suggestions that can help enhance those drawings:
1. Pencils: The Backbone of Every Drawing
Pencils are your staple tools in sketching. You’ll use them for everything from doodling on the couch to creating full-on masterpieces. But did you know there are different kinds of pencils for different effects? Pencils come in a range of “hardness” levels, from soft to hard. As a beginner in drawing, it’s helpful to have a few different types to play with. See image above ⤴️
H Pencils: Hard pencils (like 2H or 4H) make light, fine marks. These are great for the fine details or when you don’t want to get too dark with your lines. You might use these for initial sketches, or when you want precision.
B Pencils (Soft): Soft pencils (like 2B, 4B, or 6B) allow more graphite to be transferred to the paper and so are perfect for shading, darker lines, and creating contrast. These are your go-to pencils for adding depth and drama to your sketches.
2. Erasers: More Than Just Fixing Mistakes
Erasers can also help you control the light and dark of your drawings, add highlights, and refine details. Actually, an eraser can be used as a drawing tool!
- Classic Rubber Eraser: This is the one that’s faithfully stuck to the end of your pencil, or found in the back of a drawer, once purchased in the aquarium gift shop. It’s great for removing pencil marks, but it’s not always the best for precision.
- Kneaded Eraser: This squishy, gum-like eraser is one of the most versatile tools in your kit. You can mold it into different shapes for precise erasing, and it’s perfect for lifting off tiny bits of graphite to create light spots or highlights. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to squish. Not great for removing large areas of pencil line, however.
- Precision Tip Erasers: If you’re working on fine details and need super-accurate erasing, a precision-tip eraser is your new best friend. It’s like having an eraser on a pen—ideal for getting rid of tiny smudges or cleaning up sharp lines.
3. Paper: The Canvas for Your Creations
- Cartridge drawing paper is the go to for pencil drawings. Regular printer paper will work fine, but it is thinner and generally brighter. Cartridge paper is easy to draw on, holds your pencil lines well, and gives you a clean finish.
- Sketchbooks: A good sketchbook is an artist’s best friend. Look for one with sturdy, acid-free pages that won’t tear when you erase or get too smudgy. A 90gsm-120gsm weight is great for pencil drawings. The beauty of a sketchbook is that it’s all about practice, so don’t be afraid to fill those pages with messy doodles and trial runs.
- Newsprint: Newsprint paper is very smooth and nice to work on, however it is thin and can tear easily. It is generally an off-white colour, which can be a nice change to working on pure white. Artists will often use newsprint for practising as it is cheap and they may want to work on several drawings in quick succession.
When you’re starting out as an artist, keeping it simple is key. With just a few basic tools you can begin developing your skills. As you practice, you’ll get a feel for what works best for you, and from there, you can build upon your collection of supplies. The most important thing? Just have fun!
Happy drawing, and may your pencils always be sharp and your erasers always clean!
Recommendations:
Erasers – Caran D’ Ache triangular eraser for large and fine details. £2.40 Jacksons Art Supplies; Battery operated fine detail eraser. £6.99 Amazon.co.uk
Pencils – Brands like Faber-Castell and Prismacolor make affordable, high-quality sets that won’t break the bank. A basic set with pencils like 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B should be more than enough to get you started.
Paper – Look for a paper weight of around 90-200gsm (grams per square meter) for everyday sketching. Brands like Strathmore 400 Series or Canson XL make great sketching paper that doesn’t break the bank.
Suppliers:
UK
- https://www.jacksonsart.com
- Ken Bromley Art Supplies https://www.artsupplies.co.uk/
- https://www.seawhites.co.uk
US