Drawing Techniques and Tools

Drawing Pencils

• Derwent pencils are a consistently reliable brand
• Softer (B) pencils create darker marks and lose sharpness quickly
• Harder (H) pencils create lighter marks and maintain a sharp point longer
• Most artists use 3-4 pencils regularly from a wider range
• Recommended grades include 2H, H, HB, and 2B
• HB pencils are equivalent to a standard #2 pencil
• Adjusting pencil pressure creates variations in line thickness and darkness

Sketchbooks

• Sketchbooks are for practicing and experimenting with drawing
• Consistent practice improves drawing skills
• Sketchbook size isn't as crucial as regular use
• Hardcover sketchbooks are more durable for frequent use and travel

Drawing Surfaces

• Paper quality affects artwork appearance
• Heavier textured paper is better for pastels and charcoal
• Smoother surfaces are ideal for pen and ink or graphite drawings
• Bristol paper has both smooth and textured surfaces, and is sturdy cardstock
• Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel paper is good for pastels, usable with other media
• Stipple paper has a heavy tooth, suitable for smooth graphite gradients
• Acid-free paper prevents artwork deterioration

Erasers

• Erasers remove mistakes and create lines/shapes
• Vinyl/plastic erasers are strong, friction-based
• Rubber erasers are common, but can smudge
• Art gum erasers crumble, good for delicate details
• Kneaded erasers lift material with minimal smudging

Pencil Sharpeners

• Handheld sharpeners offer more control
• Electric sharpeners can damage pencils, especially colored pencils
• Mechanical pencils need a specialized sharpener
• Metal sharpeners are better than plastic, and sharpen more effectively

Charcoal

• Charcoal is burned organic material for smooth tone transitions
• Vine charcoal is soft, easy to erase, good for preliminary sketches
• Compressed charcoal is darker, harder to erase, better for finishing
• White charcoal lightens areas and creates highlights

Pen and Ink

• Pen and ink drawing emphasizes line's role in form and texture
• Technical drawing pens are disposable with varied line widths
• Dip pens require ink bottles, offering more control
• Staedtler technical drawing pens are a good alternative to Micron pens, with longer lasting nibs
• Carbon black ink is a dark ink for pen and ink drawings

Blending Stumps

• Blending stumps are compressed paper for blending graphite, charcoal, etc
• They improve blending control over using fingers
• Blending stumps are not always necessary; pressure can smooth transitions

Colored Pencils

• Colored pencils come in oil-based, wax-based, watercolor, and pastel types
• Most are wax-based; easier to layer and build up color
• Prismacolor Premier pencils are soft wax-based for a painterly look
• Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils are oil-based, with superior color quality
• Luminance pencils are wax-based, brighter than Prismacolor, but harder to blend

Artwork Storage

• Portfolios protect and hold artwork
• Portfolios should be at least 18 inches by 24 inches for larger pieces
• A portfolio needs durable material with a rigid outer cover