The holiday season is just around the corner and I wanted to share with you some of my favorite art supplies! This is part one of my absolute go-to products that I have either been using for years or have recently discovered and am absolutely in love with. If you’re trying to figure out what to get the artist in your life or are looking to add to your own arsenal of art supplies, you can’t go wrong with these must-haves.
Derwent Battery-Operated Eraser
I love this eraser by Derwent because it’s versatile and performs well every time. The unit itself
takes 2 AAA battery and has replaceable tips that can be purchased separately as refills.
This eraser can be used for basic erasures and for creating effects in graphite and colored
pencil work.
Non-Photo Blue Pencil
This light colored and easily erasable pencil is one of my absolute favorites for the underdrawings of my colored pencil work. I sometimes find graphite doesn’t always eraser completely or tends to leave a bit of a trace behind which can muddy colors. The non-photo blue disappears relatively well into the drawing even if you haven’t erased it completely. I also like to use in purposefully for shading with my ink illustrations in my sketchbooks. Caran D’ache and Staedtler make great versions of this product.
Strathmore Toned Paper
Strathmore Toned paper has been a fave of mine for a while and now comes in a mixed media variety as well. The Toned Tan is awesome for portraits as the paper color works well as a mid-tone for lighter skin tones. The Toned Gray has the same benefit for black and white portraits and subject matter but also has a cool effect when adding pops of color. The paper is available in pads for the mixed media version and coil bound sketchbooks in various sizes.
Faber-Castell PITT Pens
These Indian Ink-based waterproof pens come in various nibs, colors and are very long lasting. compared to other brands. I have had little to no trouble with the pens drying out or not performing in general, even after having them for years. They are my absolute go-to for inking my mixed media illustration work. Available as singles and in sets, these pens are a great addition to any illustrator’s toolbox.
Pentel Aquash
I’ve been experimenting more recently with water-soluble colored pencils and the Aquash has been a great addition to those experiments. Quick sketchbook explorations are made easy anywhere with this product. The reservoir while not holding a tremendous amount of water seems to go a long way. It comes with a cap on the tip and I have never once had an issue with leakage. They are available in various brush tips as a set or as a single in the medium brush tip.
That’s it for part one of my favorite art supplies. Stay tuned here next week for Part 2!
Do you have a must-have art supply? Share with me in the comments!
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