Drawing Materials
…start simple, then explore with enthusiasm…let your materials expand with your confidence
Drawing materials don’t need to feel complicated and you don’t need lots of things straight away. The good news is you only need a few well-chosen tools and a willingness to begin. Whether it’s the gentle control of graphite pencils, the bold richness of charcoal, the subtle layering of coloured pencils, or the fluid effect of water-soluble media and expressive pen work, each material has its own character and something valuable to teach you.
Play with them, explore what each can do with curiosity, and allow your confidence to grow. As your skills develop, so can your materials - each new addition will open the door to fresh marks, deeper tones and new creative possibilities.
Graphite Pencils…our usual starting point
For most beginners, graphite pencils are the perfect place to start. You don’t need a full set, in fact, buying individual pencils is often more cost effective - large sets frequently include grades you may rarely use
A simple starter selection:
HB or 2B - for light sketching and initial outlines
4B or 5B - for mid tones and stronger shadows
7B or 8B - for deep shadows and rich dark areas
Why are there different grades?
Graphite pencils range from hard (H grades) - make lighter, sharper lines…to soft grades (B grades) - create darker, richer marks. The higher the ‘B’ number the softer and darker the pencil.
Using a range of grades allows you to build tone and contrast, which is essential for making objects appear three dimensional.
It can feel intimidating to add very dark marks at 1st, but those dark tones are what create depths, weight, and realism in a drawing.
Charcoal… Bold and expressive
Charcoal is a more dramatic, expressive media and graphite
Types of charcoal:
Charcoal pencils – light medium dark
4B or 5B - for mid tones and stronger shadows
7B or 8B - for deep shadows and rich dark areas
Why are there different grades?
Graphite pencils range from hard (H grades) - make lighter, sharper lines…to soft grades (B grades) - create darker, richer marks. The higher the ‘B’ number the softer and darker the pencil.
Using a range of grades allows you to build tone and contrast, which is essential for making objects appear three dimensional.
It can feel intimidating to add very dark marks at 1st, but those dark tones are what create depths, weight, and realism in a drawing.
Graphite Pencils…our usual starting point
For most beginners, graphite pencils are the perfect place to start. You don’t need a full set, in fact, buying individual pencils is often more cost effective - large sets frequently include grades you may rarely use
A simple starter selection:
HB or 2B - for light sketching and initial outlines
4B or 5B - for mid tones and stronger shadows
7B or 8B - for deep shadows and rich dark areas
Why are there different grades?
Graphite pencils range from hard (H grades) - make lighter, sharper lines…to soft grades (B grades) - create darker, richer marks. The higher the ‘B’ number the softer and darker the pencil.
Using a range of grades allows you to build tone and contrast, which is essential for making objects appear three dimensional.
It can feel intimidating to add very dark marks at 1st, but those dark tones are what create depths, weight, and realism in a drawing.