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My drawing essentials ✍️
15
items Want to take your sketches from good to wow? These supplies are game-changers, and trust me, once you try them, you’ll see your art improve instantly. Ready to get your hands on the best tools for flawless sketches? Let’s go! ✨
Sections
5
✏️ Pencils
🧼 Erasers & Blending
📝 Paper
🎨 Accessories
🎁 Bonus
✏️ Pencils
A good drawing starts with good pencils. I’ve tried many, but these are the ones I keep coming back to!
My go-to set for everyday sketching. The range of hardness levels (from HB to 8B) lets me create both soft shading and crisp lines.
🖊️ Faber-Castell 9000 Graphite Pencils (Set of 12)
If you want rich, deep blacks in your sketches, these are a must. They glide effortlessly and blend beautifully.
🖋️ Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Graphite Pencils
These feel super smooth on paper and don’t smudge as much as some others, making them perfect for detailed work.
✏️ Staedtler Mars Lumograph Graphite Pencils
🧼 Erasers & Blending
When I first started sketching, I didn’t realize how important a good eraser is. These are the ones that actually help without damaging the paper!
If you love adding fine highlights or erasing small areas for extra precision, this is a game-changer.
🧼 Tombow Mono Eraser
If you want smooth gradients without making a mess with your fingers, these are a must. They help blend graphite naturally for softer shading.
💨 Blending Stumps & Tortillons
Super flexible, allowing you to shape it for precise highlights and gentle corrections. Plus, it lasts forever if stored properly!
✨ Faber-Castell - Kneaded Eraser
📝 Paper
I used to sketch on any random paper I could find, but once I switched to better quality paper, my work instantly looked more professional. These are my favorites!
This paper is smooth enough for details but still has a bit of texture for shading. Great for everyday sketches.
📖 Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad
I love this for keeping all my sketches in one place. The paper is thick and doesn’t smudge easily, plus it feels luxurious.
📝 Moleskine Art Sketchbook
If you like experimenting with ink, light watercolor, or markers alongside your pencil sketches, this paper handles it all.
🖼️ Canson XL Mixed Media Paper
🎨 Accessories
These little tools might not seem like a big deal, but trust me - they’ll make sketching so much easier.
Ever had a pencil get too short to hold? This lets you use every last bit of your favorite ones.
✏️ Derwent Pencil Extender
Sharpening your pencils with a blade instead of a regular sharpener gives you a finer, more controlled tip.
🔪 X-Acto Knifes
I used to just throw my pencils in my bag, but this keeps everything organized and protected.
📦 Portable Pencil Case
🎁 Bonus
Once you have the basics down, these extras will elevate your drawings!
Amazing for adding highlights to eyes, hair, and reflective surfaces. It really makes drawings pop!
🎨 White Gel Pen (Sakura Gelly Roll)
When I need precision, like for sketching hair strands or fine architectural lines, this is my go-to.
🖊️ Mechanical Pencil (Pentel GraphGear 1000)
Perfect for proportions and perspective. If you struggle with symmetry, this will save you so much time.
🔲 Grid Ruler