What you should buy as an artist

Most stuff doesn't matter. I was in an art store the other day picking up some supplies and I realized that to someone just getting started the sheer amount of options is intimidating. Of the 200 types of pencils, which should you buy? Do you really need 8 different types of oddly named pencil lead? (H, HB, 2B, etc)

Nope. Since I injured my foot and it's hard to draw lying on my back with my foot elevated, I'm going to give you a shopping list. And help you NOT spend money.

What to buy for drawing

Paper

If you are new and doing exercises the answer is simple: Whatever's cheap and at least reasonably sturdy. There are a ton of brands - those don't matter. The exact brands will vary depending on the store and even what country you are in. Usually the cheap stuff is some newsprint paper. If you push down hard on your pencil (stop that) you may want something heavier. Pick a medium weight paper, the cheapest around. Later you'll pick up preferences for things. For now - fuck it.

Here's some stupid cheap paper

Here's some higher quality paper that's still cheap

Yes, those are affiliate codes, so I"ll get like... a penny. Think of it as an extra upvote. I'll be upfront - I've not used the top brand but I've used the second. It's paper though - don't overthink it. Hell, take copy paper that's been discarded cause of a screwed up print from work. Save the environment and save money.

Pencils

Here I have an opinion. I believe a good mechanical pencil is worth the money. Usually a good mechanical pencil isn't expensive. Here's what makes a pencil good, IMO:

1. Doesn't jam
2. Easy to refill
3. Has an eraser that lasts a long time and is GOOD
4. Is refillable, both for the eraser and the lead.

Here's one of my favorites, the Tombow Monograph

No, it's not super cheap. ($6) But the point is you only buy one and then you can refill it forever. Also the red looks cool. But they come in a bunch of colors. Plus the super long erase means you don't have those brutal moments where you are desperately trying to erase stuff and it just gets torn or messed up cause your eraser is out. At least I do that. Urgh.

Lead

I strongly recommend using .05 sized lead and pencils (.03 breaks too much, .07 is too big for crisp small lines). Use either B or 2B lead and learn to use a light touch. This will save you from all the futzing about with different pencils and leads and such. The more complicated things are, the less likely you are to practice. Just get a nice soft lead for great darks and learn to REALLY ease up for light thin lines. That's good practice for technique anyway.

Pens

Frankly, you probably don't need pens at all unless that's something you want to pursue stylistically. Normally I take pencil drawing and scan them and throw them in photoshop if I want something polished. But if you want old school graphic art with the huge shadows and stuff - real film noir - there are a few I've used and liked.

The Pigma Micron

These aren't too expensive and do a solid job. I'm not much of a pen guy like I said but these are the ones I usually use and never had complaints. They aren't crazy expensive either. Just don't use ballpoint - they tend to put "grooves" in the paper and especially for filling in large areas. If you are doing my tutorial series, dont but these yet. Just stick with pencil shading for now. Save money, come back later.

Markers

Get some of these: Prismacolor markers. I'm not much of a marker person, just like I'm not a pen person. That said - these are pretty much the standard because they work and their colors are strong and they generally last a good while. Normally, I do colors in photoshop. But photoshop doesn't work well on say.... the bus home.

Do be aware: They can bleed through. If you use these you need heavier paper than what I linked before. Something like this.

Other stuff

French Curve

The moment you feel you are getting to the intermediate stage, you WANT to buy this or something like it. I have one in my backpack and carry it with my sketchbook. It's the tool that will take your drawing from "nice sketch" to "professionally finished drawing. Which curve set you buy doesn't matter really - I linked to the cheapest one I saw on amazon. I bought mine years ago and have no idea what brand it is. Seriously - it's curved plastic (don't overthink this either). If you find that your curve isn't doing what you need, get a different set. This is really about what/how you draw instead of some magic gear.

Wacom Tablet

I've linked to the cheapest one they make. It's plenty good to get started if you want to go down the digital art road. And it comes with some basic software. I'd actually recommend HOLDING OFF. $65 isn't a lot of money (and a lot less than the $300 I shelled out for my first wacom years ago) but it's still more than all these other supplies COMBINED. If you really want to go this route, consider getting the nicer/bigger one. I own one of these smaller ones ($100 range) and really.. I think i'd have preferred to keep saving and buy the expensive one. But I draw a LOT.

Stuff NOT to buy

If you wander into an art store here are some things that might catch your eye but I think are basically useless.

Wooden dummy guy

You'll note the LACK of an affiliate link. If you buy this, I don't want a penny. It's not that these things are bad, it's that they do a terrible job of making you think about balance and the way muscles are all connected. Drawings based of these things tend to look weird and robotic.

More importantly - GOOGLE IMAGE SEARCH. Whatever you are looking to draw, guaranteed there is a reference photo somewhere in the ballpark. Not only will this help you with anatomy, balance, clothing, and perspective way better than the dummy ever could - it's FREE.

Don't be a dummy - don't buy the dummy.

The easel things

Unless you are a painter or something, don't buy the foldy-easel things. They are expensive and a pain. I threw my last one away. You think you'll use it, but you probably won't. There ARE exceptions, I'm not saying no one ever should buy these.

But if you are reading this, that person probably isn't you. If it is you, then you already bought one and love it.

Get drawing

Once I'm not limping around and able to sit more comfortably I'll be spitting out more art. Or maybe even if I can't sit comfortably. I'll sort it out.

In the meantime, post art! Tag me! I'll look :D

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