Choosing Drawing Materials for Beginner Artists

Hello everyone! Today, I would like us to explore together the essential materials required for getting started in drawing. Many artists start simply with a piece of paper and a pencil, and that's perfect for gaining confidence and having fun.

But if you want to go a little further, I will introduce you to a basic equipment kit, which will enable you to progress and is suitable for all techniques and styles.

Learn to draw without breaking the bank

When starting to learn to draw, it is tempting to want to invest in expensive and sophisticated materials, thinking that it will make a difference. As proof, you have no doubt already seen artists creating extraordinary drawings using only a Bic pen.

The quality of creations thus relies much more on practice and patience than on the price or sophistication of the tools. Basic materials can be more than enough to explore, experiment, and learn the fundamental techniques without spending a fortune.

Before buying art supplies, remember that the essential thing is to be comfortable with your tools and prioritize simplicity in order to better focus on mastering strokes and forms. Once you start to feel that you have mastered the basics and develop preferences for certain mediums, you can then invest in more expensive materials. But to start, choose simple yet effective equipment.

The beginner's kit to start drawing successfully

Here are the different tools I recommend for you to start with. You will see, it's very basic, but that's exactly what we're looking for.

Pencil

This is the basic! If you could only have one tool, I would recommend this one. You will see that there are different types of pencils, ranging from 8H to 8B. This actually refers to their hardness level: 8H is very hard, while 8B is very soft.

To begin with, I advise you to choose a pencil between 2H and 2B, according to your preference, as this will allow you to easily erase. There is no need to invest in a whole range; a single pencil will do the job very well.

Eraser

An essential with a pencil! They come in all colors, shapes, and types, but in my opinion, nothing beats a good rectangular white eraser. Personally, I prefer erasers that are a bit softer, but it's a matter of taste. Again, there's no need for sophisticated erasers like pen erasers or electric erasers.

The only small whim I can recommend is the kneaded eraser, which complements the white eraser by enabling you to soften the drawing without completely erasing it.

Pencil sharpener

An essential to keep your pencil well-sharpened. You probably already have one lying around, and it will do just fine. If you really want to buy a new one, I would recommend choosing a pencil sharpener with an integrated reservoir.

It is practical for preventing pencil shavings from spreading on your drawing. There are also more "technical" pencil sharpeners with a crank or even electric ones, but they are not necessary for a beginner's kit.

Paper

I recommend investing in a sketchbook. This will prevent you from having loose sheets everywhere, and in addition, you can easily visualize your progress as the sketchbook fills up. Preferably choose a sketchbook with slightly heavy drawing paper (at least 100 g/m²) to allow for erasing multiple times without damaging the paper.

Black pen

A black pen is not essential, but it can be very useful in your beginner's kit. It will allow you to neaten up some of your drawings and work on inking.

I recommend choosing a pen with a classic tip between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm, which will be suitable for many types of inking. Make sure the ink is waterproof to ensure the durability of your inking and to enable you to add color with wet mediums if you wish.

Colored pencils

It’s the easiest way to add color, as you will probably already have some. They can therefore join your drawing kit and will be very useful for your first colors.

However, keep in mind that if you want to achieve very beautiful results, the quality of the pencils plays an important role, and good colored pencils can be quite expensive. If it's a medium you enjoy, you can buy them individually to gradually enhance your collection.

Watercolor paint

Watercolor can be an interesting alternative to colored pencils. It's an ideal medium for adding color when you're starting out. You can find small palettes at affordable prices, and the major advantage is that by mixing the colors, you will achieve all the desired shades. However, I advise against buying watercolor palettes from discount stores.

Even though they are very cheap, the quality is often mediocre and it could put you off. Very good palettes are available on e-commerce sites for around ten euros, and they will last a long time.

What about ready-made drawing kits?

For those who prefer a turnkey solution, drawing kits often offer a good compromise by bringing together the essentials in a single box. You have probably already seen or owned one. But is it really a good option when starting out? Well, yes and no. Here are some points to help you form an opinion:

Practicality

Everything is provided at once, which saves time and ensures nothing is forgotten. However, needs vary from person to person. It is sometimes more effective to select tools based on one's style and preferences. This can be a good option if you want to gift a drawing kit to someone without knowing what they already have or what they would like.

Diversity of drawing tools

The kits often contain a wide range of tools (pencils of different hardness, markers, brushes), allowing you to try several techniques from the start. However, some kits include elements that a beginner doesn't necessarily need, such as less useful colored pens or overly hard pencils. You could find yourself overwhelmed by all the tools and focus more on learning to use them rather than on drawing itself.

Economical 

Some kits are more affordable than buying each piece of equipment individually. However, to keep their cost low, these kits may contain items of average or low quality, which can limit your learning experience and the durability of the tools, or, in the worst case, deter you from certain techniques due to poor quality.

It's up to you to decide. Some will love having a ready-made kit, while others will prefer to create it themselves. There isn't really a right or wrong choice, but make sure to prioritize a kit with less material but of better quality rather than the opposite.

In conclusion, learning to draw does not require a large budget or a vast collection of materials. With a few well-chosen tools, it is possible to acquire the basics and let your creativity flow, which is exactly what I recommend, so you can focus more on learning to draw rather than the tools themselves. For the more hesitant, a complete kit can simplify the purchase, but it's better to research the content and its quality to avoid disappointment. 

Editor and illustrator: Chloé Pouteau