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Drawing Lessons Materials

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Each student should experience as wide a range of materials to draw with as possible.  However, try to keep the overall cost of materials as low as possible.  Therefore, in addition to the required list below, feel free to use additional materials, inks, brushes, pens, different types of paper, just about anything to make a mark with or on.

 

Papers & Pads

18 x 24 Strathmore Sketch or Drawing Pad, or the equivalent: This paper has a medium surface with a bit of tooth and is suitable for pencil, graphite, Conte crayon, pen and ink, and brush drawings.

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18 x 24 News Print Pad: This paper is inexpensive, has a smooth surface, and is suitable for charcoal and Conte crayon.  This paper is excellent for power drawings, 2-minute, and quick gesture drawings.

18 x 24 Charcoal Paper Pad: This paper has a rough surface excellent for charcoal, pastel, and chalk drawings.  It comes in a variety of colors as well as white.
 
9 x 12 Sketchbook or Larger: If serious about drawing, this is an essential part of the process; have a sketchbook available at all times.  Practicing exercise sets, sketching ideas, and what is around whenever there is a free minute.
 
Note: It is more economical to buy drawing paper in bulk rather than a pad or single sheet; however, it must it can only be purchased in larger quantities.

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Pencils, Pens, and Crayons

Drawing Pencils: 6H, 2H, HB, 2B, 6B; drawing pencils are manufactured in eighteen degrees ranging from 9H the hardest to 8B the softest.
 
Graphite Sticks: 1/4" 2B and 6B, 1/2" 2B and 6B. Graphite comes in pencil and stick form.  The stick form used on its side can create wonderful broad tones and, when used on edge, can create delicate fine lines.
 
Conté Crayons: sanguine, black 2B, and white 2B. Conté crayons are hard pastels that are smooth and rich in pigment.  Sticks are 2-1/2" long × 1/4" square.  They can be purchased individually or in packages of 2 or 12.
 
Charcoal: Compressed charcoal sticks, 2 medium, and 2 extra soft; willow charcoal sticks, 3 medium.  (Vine charcoal is dark gray while willow charcoal is black.)

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Erasers

Shading Stumps: #1 and #3.  These stumps are made of tightly spiral-wound, soft gray paper.  Use them for smoothing and blending large areas of pastel or charcoal.
 
Tortillons: Small (3/16"), medium (1/4"), large (5/16"). Tortillons are for smoothing and blending pastel and charcoal and detailed stumping.  They are spiral-wound with one end pointed.
 
Chamois Cloth: Approximately 5" x 7".  Good for blending and changing the tone of large areas of charcoal or crayon.
 

Shading and Blending Tools

Shading Stumps: #1 and #3. These stumps are made of tightly spiral-wound, soft gray paper. Use them for smoothing and blending large areas of pastel or charcoal.

Tortillons: Small (3/16"), medium (1/4"), large (5/16"). Tortillons are used for smoothing and blending pastel and charcoal, and detailed stumping. They are spiral-wound with one pointed end.

 

Chamois Cloth: Approximately 5" x 7". Good for blending and changing the tone of large areas of charcoal or crayon.

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Sharpening and Point Shaping Tools

Sandpaper Block: Sandpaper is the simple way to keep a point on difficult-to-sharpen drawing pencils, charcoal, pastels, or crayons and to create various types of points not possible with a pencil sharpener.
 
Single-edge Razor Blades: Can be used to sharpen and shape pencils, crayons, Etc.
Pencil Sharpener: Small hand sharpener.

Brown Paper Bag: Used for pencil and graphite dust from sanding and shaping.
 

Miscellaneous Materials

Workable Matte Fixative: Workable fixative is easy to work with, dries in seconds, and does not wrinkle, smudge, or smear.  This fixative gives lasting protection to pencil, charcoal, and chalk yet erases easily.
18" Ruler
Artist Masking Tape
Sketch Boards for 18 x 24 Pad: The pad is secured by a heavy clip and a rubber band at the bottom for easy transport.  The board is made of 1/8" thick Masonite and is very lightweight.

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Suggested Art Material Supplies

 

Blick Art Materials 
www.dickblick.com

Utrecht 
www.utrechtart.com

Jerry's Artarama
 Jerrysartarama.com

Daniel Smith 
DanielSmith.com