Essential Drawing Supplies for Beginners

Follow

*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, so that I can keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. Thank you!

​

Ready to prioritize your drawing practice and finally develop the skills to create artwork you’re truly proud of? Wondering what supplies are actually needed for deeper progress? 


The truth is, you don’t need much beyond paper, a pencil, and an eraser to start developing essential artistic skills like your observation and hand-eye coordination.

That said, you’ll eventually hit a wall with what you can achieve and may start to feel frustrated. Your paper might get easily damaged and tolerate only minimal layering.

Not to mention, regular printing paper yellows and deteriorates over time, putting your work at risk of being lost.


In the following video, I go over the essential supplies I recommend investing in as a beginner and share must-know tips to help you avoid unnecessary spending.

I also highlight some of my favorite brands of sketchbooks, pencils, and erasers; explain drawing pencil grades; and answer common questions like how to sharpen drawing pencils, clean blending stumps, and more!

​

If you enjoyed this video and found it helpful, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I share a new video every week.*Subscribe HERE*

​

​
​
1. Paper and Sketchbooks

My recommendation for anyone looking to improve their drawing skills is to invest in a sketchbook (or two).

As I explain in this video, sketchbooks are invaluable tools for artists—they provide a space to study, explore without pressure, and prepare for larger, more polished pieces.

Bristol board is an excellent choice for those aiming to achieve high levels of realism. Its super-smooth surface allows for seamless blending, making it ideal for finalized, time-consuming drawings.

However, I recommend reserving this type of paper for finished works and focusing on building foundational skills in your sketchbooks, especially if your goal is to improve your freehand drawing.



Here are the main characteristics I look at when deciding what sketchbook to buy to improve my drawing skills:

a) Paper Thickness/Weight:

• Choose sketchbooks with at least 60 lbs (89 gsm) paper. Thicker options like 90 lbs (147 gsm) are better for more robust use.
• Heavier paper prevents damage from erasing and allows for more layering of graphite, as well as darker lines and mark-making without tearing.

b) Paper Texture/Tooth:

• Smooth paper (often labeled as "fine tooth" or "light grain") works well for smoother shading techniques. 
• Paper that is a bit more textured may no allow for smoother shading techniques, but provides good grip for looser/sketchier styles, and expressive gestural lines and mark-making. ​

c) Acid-Free Paper:

• Always opt for sketchbooks with paper that is acid-free to avoid yellowing and ensure longevity.​

d )Size:

• Larger sketchbooks (9" x 12") are ideal for practicing full-arm movements, improving hand-eye coordination, and creating dynamic sketches. Remember that, when your goal is to improve your pencil control and line quality, learning to draw "from the shoulder" is key. 
• Smaller sketchbooks are great for portability but might limit arm movement.​

​​

Strathmore Drawing Sketchbook 9x12" Side Bound

Strathmore Bristol Paper 9x12" 20 Sheets Smooth Surface

Canson Cream Colored Drawing Sketchbook 9x12" Side Bound

​

2. Pencils and Drawing Pencil Grades

Pencils are the backbone of drawing, and understanding pencil grades is essential.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of mechanical pencils for drawing, mainly because I don’t find them as versatile as traditional pencils.


With traditional pencils, you can adjust the way you hold them throughout the drawing process to create thinner, more precise lines or thicker, softer ones as needed.


I explain about different ways to hold a pencil for drawing in this video here and many of my favorite just don't work with mechanical pencils. 


Understanding Pencil Grades

Drawing pencil grades indicate the hardness or softness of the graphite in their core, which affects the darkness of the marks and shading you create. 

• H (Hard): These pencils have harder graphite, producing lighter and more precise lines. The higher the number before "H" (e.g., 2H, 4H), the harder the pencil, making it ideal for fine details and preliminary sketches.
• HB: This pencil is right in the middle, balancing hardness and softness. It’s great for initial sketches and general-purpose drawing.
• B (Bold or Black): These pencils have softer graphite, creating darker and smoother marks. The higher the number before "B" (e.g., 2B, 6B), the softer the pencil, making them perfect for shading and rich textures.
• F (Fine Point): Similar to HB but slightly harder, F pencils hold a fine point well for detailed work.​

Using a range of pencil grades allows artists to achieve various effects, from light, easily erasable outlines to deep shadows that create striking contrast.

Having a variety of pencil grades enables you to develop a wide range of values in your drawing without needing to press down hard on your paper.

Visual showing graphite from 8H to 8B pencils.

​Recommended Pencil Sets:

• Faber-Castell 9000 Series and Derwent Graphic Line are excellent choices.
• A basic set with HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B is sufficient to start.

​

Tips for Using Pencils:

• Experiment with different grades to feel the variation in texture and darkness.
• Perform a smudge test to understand how softer pencils transfer graphite more readily than harder ones.
• Watch video above to see me demonstrate these exercises. 

​

Derwent Graphic Drawing Pencil Set with 6

Faber-Castell 9000 Series Drawing Pencil Set with 6

​

3. Erasers

Erasers are your best friends and are as much a drawing tool as pencils, helping with corrections, and even creating textures and highlights.

I don't really like harder vinyl erasers because they can damage your paper. 


There are different types of erasers that serve different functions. Here are the ones I must have in my studio:

a) Gum Erasers
Gum erasers are soft and often crumble as you erase, which might seem inconvenient, but this characteristic makes them gentle on paper. They’re ideal for correcting larger areas of graphite without causing damage.

b) Rubber Erasers
Rubber erasers are firmer and more durable, making them great for general-purpose use. They can handle heavier erasing jobs, but because they are less gentle, they may damage softer paper if used with too much pressure.

I still look for rubber erasers that are softer.

c) Kneaded Erasers
Kneaded erasers are malleable, resembling soft putty, and can be shaped to erase small, precise areas. They’re perfect for lifting graphite gently and lightening darker areas.

Unlike other erasers, they don’t leave crumbs and are reusable until they become too saturated with graphite.

d) Mono Zero Eraser
The Mono Zero eraser is a precision tool designed for fine details. Its small, pen-like tip allows for erasing specific areas without disturbing the surrounding work. It’s especially useful for adding highlights or cleaning up edges in detailed drawings.

​It allows for more control, precision and cleaner lifting, than kneaded erasers.
​​

General's Factis Gum Erasers

General's Factis Extra Soft Dust Free Rubber Erasers

Tombow Mono Zero Eraser Round Tip

​

Mr. Pen Kneadable Erasers 18 Pack

​
​
4. Sharpeners 

For beginners, a basic metallic sharpener is what I'd recommend. They work well for round and hexagon shaped-pencils. 

There is also the option of sharpening your pencils with an X-ACTO knife and a sanding board, which I explain how to do in the video above. However, I wouldn't recommend this for absolute beginners. 

• Choose high-quality sharpeners to maintain a fine point without breaking the graphite. Handheld metal sharpeners are reliable.​​ Don't buy plastic sharpeners as they easily break with the pressure. ​​

​

Metallic Twin Hole Sharpener

5. Blending Stumps
​
I mention in the video above that I don't always use blending stumps when I'm working on a drawing because my style is "sketchier" and I often bring in alternative shading techniques, like the ones I show in this video here. 

This said, whenever I am going for more of a realistic finish, blending stumps are a great tool because they'll allow for smoother shading and gradients. 

Sometimes I do my blending with a kitchen paper towel or kleenex, too!

• These tightly rolled paper tools help smooth out shading, creating seamless transitions.
• To clean blending stumps, use sandpaper to remove graphite buildup, extending their usability.
• Use them lightly and pay attention to how much graphite is collecting at the tip as you're working.

​

Derwent Blending Stumps Pack with 3 Different Sizes

​

Tips for Getting Started

• Start Simple: Even basic tools like regular paper, a pencil, and an eraser are enough for initial practice.
• 
  
• Practice Regularly: Focus on building foundational skills like observation, hand-eye coordination, and proportional accuracy.

• Focus on developing solid preliminary sketches before jumping on to detail and shading: No amount of detail and shading will fix a faulty foundation, so practice your block-ins and developing good shapes and proportions through sketching anything and everything.

​

With these tools in hand, you're ready to embark on your artistic journey.

Remember, drawing is a skill that grows with consistent practice and exploration. Happy sketching!

​

---