(In Progress. Last edited 09.19.2019)
Graphite Pencils
When I’m in a pinch, even a normal yellow school pencil will do. However, it is nice to have a range of pencils with different hardness/softness of graphite lead. Drawing pencils tend to have a larger graphite core as opposed to normal pencils. The “H” rating stands for hardness—a higher number means harder graphite. Harder graphite is great for technical drawing or in cases where it is important to have a really clean line. The “B” rating is for blackness and these are generally softer pencils—a higher number means a softer and blacker graphite lead. These are great for shading. I recommend getting a few in each HB range to try. In the long run, you may find that you favor certain ones.
Graphite sticks and woodless pencils are also really nice to have. They allow you to experiment with different edges and edge-shapes.
This is a great link about the HB scale, https://pencils.com/pages/hb-graphite-grading-scale
Water Soluble Pencils/Graphite/Pigment Sticks & Watercolors
- Coming soon!
Multiliner Markers
After penciling my sketches, I clean them up a little and ink them—old school all the way. I leave a lot of my initial penciling and marks because the lines are dynamic and expressive. I am not a “super clean up” artist (which is required for animation styles such as Disney and Japanese manga). As a kinesthetic learner, I prefer traditional media to get my ideas down.
For outlining, it is important that that the markers write smoothly/consistently and glide across the page effortlessly. You pay a higher price for tips that last longer. The very very fine tips for detail work wear out the fastest. Try keep your hand relaxed as you ink so that you don’t crush the tips into the page. Also I don’t like markers that bleed a lot. You don’t want your outlines to bleed and be fuzzy. It is worth the money to invest in your liner/multiliner markers.
Copic Multiliner SP’s have an aluminum body. They are excellent. They are the refillable and the tips are replaceable. You can buy them from Amazon, Michaels, and other stores. My preferred art supply stores are Dick Blick and Utretcht.
- Copic site, https://copic.jp/en/product/multi_sp/
- Copic homepage, https://copic.jp/en/product/
Sakura Pigma Micron is another good brand of liner markers. They are great to start out with and more budget friendly. You can find these in many stores. They are disposable. The finer tips may clog now and then. You also have to be careful not to smash the superfine tips.
General Markers
Paper
There are different papers for different purposes. Paper choice is especially important for watercolor and pastel painting.
- General sketchcing/drawing. Canson and Strathmore are my go-to’s. If you’re starting out, the student/recycled grade is fine.
- Marker paper. Bienfang, Copic.
Pastels
- Coming soon!