When you draw, the small details make all the difference. The quality of your pencil sharpener and its blade illustrate this perfectly. If you’re a beginner, choose a metal two-hole pencil sharpenerwith replaceable blades. You can choose it with or without a shavings collector according to your preference.
For lovers of beautiful objects, Caran d'Ache's iconic pencil sharpening machineis a hand-operated manual pencil sharpener that allows you to sharpen pencils with diameters of 4 to 10 mm (1/8" to 3/8").
Other pencil sharpening options include a sandpaper block that is mainly used for delicate pencils such as pastel pencils. Utility knives (Stanley knives) are also recommended for more fragile points such as charcoal.
Essential for beginners and professional artists alike, erasers can be relied upon to remove pencil markings but also lighten an area of the drawing or soften lines. There are several types of eraser including the standard rubber eraser and the kneaded eraser (also called putty eraser).Because of their composition, our high quality standard erasers are perfect for removing graphite and colored pencil markings on different types of paper.
All our erasers are guaranteed phthalate-free.
The kneaded or putty eraser is best for lifting up and retaining the charcoal dust without leaving any residue on the paper.
1.5. Blending stumps (tortillons)
Blending stumps, or tortillons, are made of tightly rolled paper twisted into a cyclindrical shape and tapered at the ends like a pencil. This tool allows you to blend, smudge, darken and soften lines, edges and solid patches of color.
To avoid mixing your colors by mistake, we recommend that when using several colors that you use multiple blending stamps, one per color.
Tip: If your blending stump is dirty and worn, you can clean and sharpen the end with a sandpaper block.
1.6. Charcoal
Natural charcoal is a thin stick of carbonized willow wood. Compressed charcoal is charcoal powder that has been compressed and shaped into blocks or sticks. As charcoal is versatile and allows for many creative effects it is a classic tool for drawing and sketching and is used by the greatest artists, all while being useful for beginners who are just starting out.
Use it for deep, intense black areas or for fine delicate lines.
Charcoal is easy to work and blends well. Painters also like to use it when sketching on canvas as it has the advantage of not damaging it, and provides incomparably rich, velvety blacks and grays.
1.7. Fixative
Protect your sketches and drawings from the wear and tear of time with a fixative. Available in spray, the fixative will stabilize your drawings and is necessary if you’re working with charcoal or pastels.
An alternative solution is to use hairspray, as many artists do.
Recommendation: Always privilege quality materials.
Not only will they be more agreeable to use and work with, they will also last longer. Over time and according to your needs, wishes and new techniques, you will be able to complete your basic supplies kit with other accessories.
2. SUPPLIES FOR AN ART CLASS
You’d like to start art classes to learn basic techniques or perfect your skills.
In most cases, a list of supplies is provided when you enroll or at the beginning of the course. Depending on the themes and the techniques studied, certain specific tools might be required.
The list of essential supplies listed above is a perfect starting point, both for self-taught artists and for students following classes. They will allow you to practice at home and to perfect techniques learnt during the course. Supplies and materials may sometimes be provided, though having a set of your own supplies is essential if you want to practice and progress in your own time, at home and out sketching.
3. PENCILS FOR BEGINNERS
3.1. Choosing the right graphite pencils for you
Graphite pencils are graded from hard to soft:
• H pencils (H for hard) are best for fine and clear cut lines. They are perfectly suited for technical drawings (architecture and design) and tracing guide lines for your artwork.
• B pencils (B for black) are soft and are perfect for intensity and shadowing. The softer the graphite, the faster they will get used up as they leave more matter on the paper.
• HB pencils are versatile and medium hard,being right in the center of the scale.
