The Best Drawing Supplies

Drawing is an impulse. Since the dawn of humanity, people have been drawing. Everyone draws. Maybe you don’t draw as much as you used to but surely everyone can remember a time when they would draw as children. As adults, some people start to lose interest in drawing for whatever reason. I truly believe that anyone can learn to draw (but more on that another time) and sometimes the tools matter. There’s nothing quite like making that first mark on a sheet of blank paper. Read on to see my recommended supplies for anyone who wants to get back into drawing.

Drawing Pencils

You probably have a few serviceable pencils lying around the house somewhere. You know, it has a “#2” on the side and a pink eraser attached. Or maybe a mechanical pencil with a few broken pieces of graphite in it? Well, those pencils are fine but you should grab a set with a range of graphite to really explore the medium and see what the humble pencil can do. Graphite comes in different levels of hardness or softness (B or H, respectively) and it determines how dark (i.e. how much graphite is left on the surface) each mark is. There are many adequate brands out there but here are my top three recommendations.

1. STAEDTLER premium quality drawing pencils, set of 12

2. Prismacolor Graphite Drawing Pencils with Erasers & Sharpeners, 18-Piece Set

3. Palomino Blackwing Pencils - 12 Count, the Cadillac of graphite. Do you need it? Probably not. Are they still cool? Absolutely, yes.

4. And don’t forget, the Blackwing Long Point Sharpener

Charcoal

My students tend to struggle with charcoal on the first day. They have spent most of their lives drawing with graphite, a medium that is clean, precise, and light. Charcoal, on the other hand, tends to be a little messy and hard to control but don’t let this discourage you. With a little practice, you can learn to make deep, rich, dark drawings that offer a level of contrast that graphite struggles to reach. There are a few types of charcoal that you should be aware of. Vine or willow charcoal is very light and forgiving. It makes a soft mark and comes in a variety of sizes. I recommend vine charcoal for starting a drawing because it will allow you to fix most mistakes. Charcoal pencils have a stick of charcoal encased in wood and are usually more comfortable for people familiar with graphite. The difference is that you won’t be able to erase the mark as well. My personal favorite type of charcoal is condensed charcoal. You might also see “Conté” charcoal occasionally and they’re very similar. I like the little blocks of charcoal because you can get a broad range of marks that allow for quick, expressive drawings.

1. Vine charcoal, box of 12

2. General Charcoal pencils, set of 12

3. Compressed charcoal or Conté charcoal

Pen and Ink

There could be an entire page dedicated to recommended pens and ink (and likely will be eventually) because there are so many options. Besides the various brands, there are many different styles of pens, nibs, handles, types of ink, etc. It can be a little overwhelming so I’m going to focus on a few entry-level suggestions. First, a set of Micron pens by Sakura Pigma that have a few different widths and tips. This will allow you to get a range of effects and learn what type of pen is best for you or for a specific task. Next, you can’t overlook the tried and true ink and brush combination. Artists have been using this for centuries and it really allows you to get a nice, loose wash of ink and control a range of values. And how could we forget the super popular calligraphy pens? Modern calligraphy is distinct from the classic styles of previous decades and hand-lettering is an excellent art form for anyone to learn. You could still use a traditional calligraphy set or try something a little more versatile and new.

1. Sakura Pigma Micron Ink Pen Set, black, set of 6

2. Ink and brush or the Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen

3. Tombow Beginner Lettering Set

4. Or just go all-in with a Calligraphy Starter Kit