Are you a beginner artist looking to embark on your drawing journey? Whether you want to develop your skills or simply have a creative outlet, finding the right drawing supplies is crucial. At Cass Art, we understand the importance of quality materials for artists at any level. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the essential drawing supplies every beginner needs to get started.
UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF PENCILS
As an artist or illustrator, one of the most essential tools in your arsenal is the pencil. However, not all pencils are created equal. Different types of pencils offer unique qualities and are designed for specific purposes. At Cass Art, we believe that understanding the different types of pencils can greatly enhance your drawing experience.
WATERCOLOUR PENCILS
Watercolour pencils are typically made with a water-soluble binder, pigments, and a wooden barrel. The core of the pencil consists of water-soluble pigments, allowing you to apply colour like a regular coloured pencil. However, when water is added, the pigments dissolve and behave like traditional watercolours.
With water-soluble watercolours, this term is a bit broader and can include pencils with various water-soluble cores, not limited to just watercolour. An example of this is Derwent Inktense, which went water is added to it behaves like ink as opposed to watercolour.
it is always worth remembering that watersoluble pencils can be used just like regular coloured pencils, dry and straight on to paper without the use of any water, and you likely wouldn't know the difference between a watercolour pencil and a regular coloured pencil. The only difference is as previously mentioned the binder used in a watersoluble pencil can be dissolved in water and is not wax-based. When dry they can be easily blended with non-watersoluble pencils.
Coloured pencils are a fantastic medium for adding vibrant and precise colours to your artwork. They have a pigmented core made of wax or oil, which allows for a range of colours and effects and are available in various grades of intensity, offering different levels of opacity and layering capabilities. Today there are fully lightfast, intensely pigmented colouring pencils designed for professional artists and illustrators. The difference between the various ranges is the differing consistencies and textures of the leads, as well as colour range and set availability.
This makes them a popular choice for both illustrators and fine artists alike. Choose from brands such as Caran D'ache, Derwent and Faber Castell to select from a wide range of colouring pencils.
Graphite pencils are the most common and versatile type of pencil. They come in a range of grades, from hard (H) to soft (B), determining the hardness or softness of the graphite core. For example, an H pencil has a harder lead, which produces lighter and crisper lines, while a B pencil has a softer lead, creating darker and smoother lines.
Some pencil sets include a range from 2H to 6B, providing a wide variety of tonal values. We stock a number of a collection of the worlds best brands from Faber-Castell, Derwent to our very own Cass Art range.
With Graphite pencils, you’ll need a set that can give you a good range of values if you want to produce realistic portraits. Using a single HB pencil is not going to give you that realistic effect. You can use an HB to shade light to medium greys. Go any darker and you’ll see just how inefficient it gets. Also, the harder your lead is, the more difficult it will be to blend (pencils marked with an H are hard, while ones marked with a B are soft).
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A ‘B’ range pencil indicates it has soft lead – the higher the number, the softer and darker the lead.
- The higher numbers in this range have a greater concentration of graphite. Generally, ‘B’ grades are best for shading and smooth coverage of large areas.
- The ‘H’ range makes a more subtle grey mark, the higher the number, the less graphite is included, these are best used for delicate, intricate drawings.
- The ‘F’ grade is used to indicate that the pencil lead is a special formulation that will maintain a fine point.
- The most popular pencil, ‘HB’ is a combination of hard and soft leads which makes it a great all-rounder.
B = Black, F = Fine, HB = H & B Combination, H = Hard
Having an array of pencil grades is essential to achieve a tonal range in your work. Generally, the best way to start drawing is with a hard pencil which will make a light mark that erases easily, allowing you to adjust your drawing frequently at the beginning. Then, as the drawing develops and requires a darker mark for shading or bold details, move on to a softer pencil. Multiple layers of a hard lead will never produce black; therefore, you need a softer pencil to be able to achieve a proper dark mark.
When you’re starting out, any kind of paper will work. The more important thing right now is to use a blank notebook/sketchbook instead of loose sheets of paper. That way you always know where to find your work, and it provides a rewarding way to see how much you’ve improved, along with a visual diary to look back on whatever it was you were going through when you filled the book.
CARTRIGE PAPER
Cass Art's cartridge papers are celebrated for their versatility. Crafted to provide a smooth surface, these papers are well-suited for a variety of mediums, including graphite, ink, and light washes. Artists find these papers particularly beneficial for sketching, illustrations, and preliminary drawings. The reliability of Cass Art's cartridge papers makes them an essential choice for artists who appreciate consistency in their creative process.
Discover quality surfaces sourced from top brands from Winsor & Newton, Moleskine, Arches, Strathmore and our very own Cass Art range, catering to various techniques and preferences.
If your drawing companion is watercolour pencils your paper will need to be able to withstand multiple washes, be non-yellowing, sufficient in weight and consistent in its texture. When faced with a variety of choice of papers, choosing just one can become a little confusing as there are 3 main types - Hot Pressed, Not (Cold) Pressed and Rough.
- Hot Pressed is the smoothest watercolour paper and is great for artists looking to render their subjects in fine detail. This paper is popular with illustrators and designers as it gives a flat finish good for reproduction.
- Cold Pressed paper has a medium textured surface favoured by beginners as it is compatible with a variety of techniques and applications.
- Rough, as suggested by the name, is the most textured watercolour paper. The dents in the paper are great if you want to get the most out of the granulation of your watercolour paints. This heavily textured paper is well suited to those with a loose watercolour painting style.
