Learn All About Your Drawing Supplies

Graphite Pencils: Graphite pencils, which are sometimes confused with "lead pencils", are nothing more than a mixture of clay and the mineral graphite. These pencils are usually in the form of a long rod which is encased in wood. Graphite pencils range in grade from very hard to very soft, although the harder grades are not used as often as the softer grades. The softer grade pencils will allow you to be more expressive with your work. You can easily find a high quality graphite pencil set online at a number of different art stores and they are usually quite affordable.

FABER-CASTELL Castell 9000 Graphite Sketch Pencil Set

Superior artist's grade leads. Castell 9000 pencils are made of very finely ground graphite and clay. These smooth, pure graphites are never scratchy. For writing, drawing, and sketching. Coated with water-based varnish. Break resistant due to SV (secure all) bonding. Sharpens easily. Pencil sets packaged in attractive green tin. Also available in , box of 12.

Click here to purchase this graphite pencil set!

Graphite is also available in stick forms that are sold as is or can be inserted into holders or encased in plastic. Graphite sticks are graded in the same fashion as regular pencils and are excellent for covering large areas.

Cretacolor Graphite Leads 7/32 in. diameter

Fine quality pure graphite from Austria. Each sharpened stick is 4 5/7 in. long x 7/32 in. in diameter (12 cm x 5.6 mm). Cretacolor Graphite Leads come in boxes of six of one degree, with 6B being the softest and blackest. Box of 6 leads.


Click here to purchase these Graphite Sticks!

If you prefer to draw in color, then colored pencils may be a good fit for you. Colored pencils are available in a variety of colors and can be purchased in sets as well. They are rather waxy in nature so if you like to work with mediums that can be blended, then this is not the right choice for you. They are best suited for techniques that utilize "optical blending" like "cross-hatching" for instance.

Koh-I-Noor Progresso Woodless Colour Pencils

Put the color on the paper and leave the wood on the tree. These high-density, lacquer-coated Hardtmuth Colour pencils has the smooth feel and excellent lay down properties loved by professional artists. Outlasts standard wood-cased pencils. Create a wide variety of unique effects. Sharpen with a standard sharpener.

Click here to purchase this colored pencil set!

These are a very interesting and a relatively new drawing medium. These are a wonderful alternative to watercolor paints if you prefer to work with pencil, but still want that "Watercolor" look to your work. You lay down your marks as you would with a colored pencil only when you apply water, your marks instantly dissolve creating colorful washes

Prismacolor Watercolor Pencil Sets

Prismacolor watercolor pencils are professional quality, water-soluble, colored pencils. They offer superior lightfastness. Use wet or dry. Pencils do not contain rainforest wood. Matches other Prismacolor pencils. Sets are packaged in tins. Set of 12 contains true blue, Copenhagen blue, dark green, grass green, spring green, sunburst yellow, orange, crimson red, carmine red, black, dark umber, and goldenrod. Set of 24 contains ultramarine, true blue, Copenhagen, dark green, spring green, true green, olive green, spring green, sunburst yellow, orange, crimson red, carmine red, blush pink, violet, black, white, terra cotta, dark umber, lilac, Spanish orange, peacock blue, goldenrod, cool grey 50%, and French grey 20%. Set of 36 contains indigo blue, ultramarine, true blue, Copenhagen, dark green, grass green, true green, olive green, spring green, cream, canary yellow, sunburst yellow, orange, non-photo blue, poppy red, crimson red, carmine red, light peach, blush pink, pink, violet, violet blue, black, white, terra cotta, sienna brown, dark brown, dark umber, lilac, mulberry, Spanish orange, parrot green, peacock blue, goldenrod, cool grey 50%, and French grey 20%.

Click here to buy this pencil set!

Pen and ink has been around for centuries and at one point in time was one of the most common drawing mediums. Drawing in ink is rather challenging and intimidating to artists because of its permanence. Inks are impossible to erase but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Each line you put down adds to the expressive nature of this medium.

There are many different pens available and the only way to know which one you are comfortable with is to test various pens and inks out. You have your Nib style pens which are essentially a holder which accepts various nibs of different sizes and shapes. Then there are technical pens which are available in various sizes. These pens provide the means to create consistent lines no matter the force of pressure. Other pens include felt tip, roller ball, sketching pens, fountain and reed pens.

A lvin Penstix Set

Penstix is more than "just another marker" - with the density of black India drawing ink but not the typical mess. The 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 mm points facilitate technical drawing, sketching, finished art, cartooning, and drawing projects that demand performance and convenience. The plastic fiber nib has been designed to produce sharp, clear work, with a straight edge or free hand, time after time.

Click here to purchase this pen drawing set!

Chalk is one the oldest drawing mediums in existence today. Today chalks are created by mixing limestone, pigments, water and a binding medium. There are a variety of chalks available to today's artists. Conte crayons are a very popular type of chalk. Conte crayons are hard and less prone to breaking. Drawing chalks are also quite popular and are quite similar in appearance and texture to pastels.

Prang 24-Color Poster Pastello Assortment

A fine quality pressed chalk for use on paper, cardboard, and similar surfaces. Strong brilliant colors with firm consistency and excellent blending quality. Ideal for posters, murals, and sketching. Assortment includes one stick each: black, blue, blue green, blue violet, brown, buff, dark blue, dark green, dark red orange, dull peach, green, light blue, light peach, magenta, orange, red, red orange, red violet, turquoise blue, violet, white, yellow, yellow green, yellow orange.

Click here to buy this chalk set!