Artist Wishlist 2024- Essential Supplies for Traditional Pencil Drawing

Alright, fellow artists! Let's talk about the lifeblood of every pencil drawing: our supplies! Over the years, I've experimented with tons of brands, but there are a few must have essentials that keep my studio stocked for creating Whackadoo pieces you love to look at of mine, and things that you will love to use to create with. Professionals and hobbyists alike.

Lets start with the obvious....

 

Pencils: When it comes to pencils, there's a reason why Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are my forever faves. Sure, there are cheaper brands out there, but the quality difference is night and day. Prismacolors boast these thick,creamy cores that just lay down smooth, rich color with every stroke. Need to crank up the contrast? They've got a wider range of values than most other brands, letting you go from whisper-light highlights to deep, dramatic darks. Plus, they sharpen to a crazy fine point, which is perfect for those intricate details.

The graphite sticks work the same way, I use them to color large areas at a time since the entire stick is pretty much the entire pencil tip.  

(The links above go to the Dick Blick Art Supply page with the item I recommend the most. They are the best for professional art supplies in my opinion.)

 

If you want to go with a different brand make sure you have my must-have Pencil line-up:

  • HB: My go-to for sketching and laying down the groundwork.You can use these to draw a skeleton for a watercolor painting, a colored pencil drawings, taking notes- etc. Basically a a normal pencil.
PRO TIP- get a mechanical version of this if you want to focus on line work.
  • 2H & 4H: These bad boys are my secret weapon for creating those super faint lines and subtle details that make a drawing look polished.
  • B & 2B: Perfect for adding those darker tones and building up rich shadows.
  • 4B & 6B: When I need to crank up the drama, these bad boys are best for laying down deep blacks with minimal effort.
PRO TIP- use different pencils to achieve at least 7 distinct values and value transitions. You will make art that looks WAY more precise and refined.

Sharpen Up: Keeping your pencils sharp is key for precision work. My trusty weapon of choice? X-ACTO proX. Its quiet, it does not over sharpen,  it does not break pencil points

PRO TIP- perfect for when trying to sharpen soft core pencils like , its easy to clean and is large enough  It's got separate settings for both regular and colored pencils. This is REALLY important for when trying to create color pencil drawings, or mixed media drawings. Otherwise you go through pencils super fast and good colored pencils can get very expensive. 

(Links above go to my amazon affiliate link page for this item.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eraser Power: For those inevitable mistakes (hey, it happens to the best of us!), I gotta have two trusty erasers in my arsenal. First up, the Prismacolor Kneaded Eraser. This magical putty-like eraser picks up graphite smudges like a champ,perfect for creating highlights and cleaning up stray marks. Then, for those more general erasing needs, I always have a trusty Plastic Eraser on hand. 

 

 

Blending Buddies: Many times I use toilet paper because it is soft, But if you need to do it in small areas to assist with details to create those smooth tonal transitions that make a drawing look like a photograph, I gotta have my blending tools at the ready. My favorite? Blending Tortillons. These paper stumps come in a variety of sizes,letting me blend large areas or get into those tiny crevices for ultra-realistic detail.

 

 

Paper Perfection: Last but not least, the paper you choose makes a world of difference. When it comes to pencil drawings, there are two main types to consider: hot press  (I like  the brand Arches- think pen and ink for calligraphy, or drawings with fine lines) and cold press (think charcoal or watercolor paintings) . Hot press paper is very smooth, which is ideal for creating those super-realistic, detailed drawings. This is all of the normal drawing pads, and Bristol papers. Cold press paper has a bit more texture, which can be helpful for adding light and shadow effects because it hold the medium your using in time little "pockets" So this is better for charcoal and paints that might benefit with having more of whatever medium you working with on the page. Having a tooth also "grabs" more whe applying your mediums to the page. This is awesome for conte/charcoal, and paints. 

 

My personal preference for drawing? Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Pad

. Here's why:

  • Ultra-Smooth Surface: This paper is smooth, perfect for laying down those perfect value transitions, and even pencil strokes. I like because there is no bleed and skipping from my Micron Pens when I do my scribble and word art.
  • Tooth Perfection: While it's smooth, it has just a hint of tooth, which helps the graphite adhere to the paper and prevents smudging.
  • Acid-Free: This means your artwork will last for generations without yellowing or deteriorating.
  • Weighty Wonder: Strathmore Bristol paper is also thick enough to prevent warping and buckling as you draw.
Pro Tip- Want to go big? It also comes in rolls! I use these all the time for my giant drawings!

    Sure, there are other hot press papers out there, but Strathmore ticks all the boxes for me. They also have a 500 series. This is even better but the ones I mentioned above are good enough to get most projects done and have look amazing.  It's simply the perfect platform to showcase the detail and richness of Prismacolor pencils. Colored or not.

     

    Bonus Tip: Invest in a good drawing board to keep your paper flat and prevent unwanted textures from the surface your paper might be on top of.

    So there you have it, folks! My essential art supplies for creating professional-quality pencil drawings. Remember, the key is to find high-quality tools that you love using. For me, Prismacolor pencils and Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper are the dream team. Now get out there, sharpen your pencils, and get creating!