Drawing/Sketching Materials
Wondering what materials you need to start your journey of art? Keep reading to find out more!
Well...Isn't that the million dollar question? What materials to I need, to start drawing? How much do I need to spend? Do I really need an artist easel? Do I buy student grade materials or artist grade materials?? Let me try and put your mind at ease.
If you are an absolute beginner, or if you are picking it back up after a long gap, I suggest starting with pencils. You really don't need too many varieties. Just a F/H, 2B, 3B, 4B and a kneaded eraser. Really, that is all you need to start your journey.
If you want to make life easier, you just buy a pre-made set from any art store of your choice. Which ever brand you use, I suggest sticking to one, and only use that to maintain consistency in your work. You can buy this pencil set from Michaels for about 12$.
One highly overlooked factor, especially when it comes to drawing with graphite is the type of paper you work on. Look for proper drawing books and pads that either say drawing or sketching. At this point, we have to talk about 'tooth' of the paper, which refers to how grainy or how smooth the paper feels to touch. Smooth paper (less tooth) helps to create better blending and allows for hyper realistic sketches, while paper with stronger tooth makes for interesting textures. The type of paper you need is largely determined by what is the final effect you desire.
Both Canson and Strathmore offer great choices of sketchbooks. No, I am not sponsored by anyone. This is entirely from personal use and experience.
Canson:
Strathmore:
I would suggest absolute beginners to first start with pencil, because it offers the most control, much less messier and you can start sketching with under 25$.
Now, as they say it, Charcoal is a more 'forgiving' medium than pencil. What it means is that charcoal is easy to erase, easier to move around and can be easily corrected without causing much changes to the already placed marks, especially if you are using vine charcoal.
Vine or willow charcoal is usually very soft, makes nice smooth marks and can almost completely be erased with one wipe of a cloth or chamois. Hence, it is also used to 'erase and draw' again and again, along with charcoal pencils, to produce rich layer and add very interesting effects and textures to one's drawing. Most people love charcoal for the range of values it offers! You can extremely dark in the values without causing the glare effect created by graphite or causing indents on your paper.
Below are my suggestions for the bare minimum materials to start sketching with charcoal:
Vine Charcoal:
You can start with a pack of 12 sticks for less than 7$.
Charcoal Pencils:
You can start with the set of 5 pencils, that includes a white pencil.
Blending Stump:
Drawing Pad:
A 9x12 size pad should be ideal to start.
Kneaded Eraser:
I reckon the Jumbo gets you the best bang for your buck.
Painting Materials
Basic Supplies for Acrylics
Paint Tubes:
This set contains 6 colors, which are more than enough to get you started. You will able to mix most of your colors with just these 6 colors.
You can also find all these colors from Winsor and Newton.
Paint Brushes:
Canvas:
or
Easel:
An easel might not be absolutely necessary, but will prove helpful in the long run, especially to avoid distortions and more importantly backaches in the long run.
Since acrylics are water based, you just need a small pail or a coffee can to hold the water.
Basic Supplies for Oils
Paints:
You can also get the same set of colors individually from Winsor and Newton if that turns out to be cheaper. Please, what ever you do, go not get the artist loft brand. They are TERRIBLE and prove to be useless.
Another excellent option is the sennelier oil paints that come in a set of 5 as a test pack. This is often sold out because it is such an amazing deal!
Paint Brushes:
Canvas:
or
Medium:
Linseed Oil:
The 4oz should be enough to start with.
Thinner/Brush Cleaner:
Gamsol
Since oil paints cannot be used with water...for obvious reasons, you will use mineral spirits, turpentine, turpenoid or other paint thinners. Of the lot Gamsol is the most widely used and studio friendly. Use with caution as it is flammable and the fumes are harmful if not used in a well ventilated area.
Easel:
An easel might not be absolutely necessary, but will prove helpful in the long run, especially to avoid distortions and more importantly backaches in the long run.
Comments