Recommended Materials

Here’s a short list of the drawing materials I use, for all those who asked me for recommendations. It’s not an exhaustive list, and it’s very subjective of course. I’m happy to show you what works for me, but in the end everyone will develop their own preferences over time.

I’ve also created a Recommended Resources page, so you always know what kind of courses, books and websites I use to improve my own skills.

There’s nothing like a high-quality Moleskine Art journal for sketches you want to last. They’re pricey, for sure, but you get what you pay for. They also come in pocket-sized, for sketches on the go. For everyday sketching practice I just use a random sketchpad from the Pound Store.
You can learn more about sketchbooks in my related post.

If you’d like to try creative journaling, the Ottergami Hardback is the best I’ve ever used. The dotted paper is thick enough for most pens and markers (not watercolour though). Check if yours arrives in a pretty blue box, cause there are some inferior counterfeit versions out there that just come in a plastic wrapping (you can just return those to Amazon at no charge).

With pencils, I like my professional-looking, matte black Derwent the best. I’ve also used Faber-Castell for years, which are of slightly higher quality, but I don’t find their shiny green exterior as visually pleasing.
You can learn more about pencils in my related post.

A good eraser that doesn’t smudge is surprisingly hard to find. My current favourite is the Faber Castell PVC-free eraser, nice grip and no smudging.
I very rarely use kneadable erasers, simply because stuff gets stuck in them and they get really gross after a while.

I have a table top easel that I use for exercises and very meticulous, lengthy drawings, so I get the perspective right and don’t crane my neck in the process.

I use the Micron pens often in combination with water colour or acrylics. They’re waterproof once dry, so you can draw outlines first and then colour them in with paint, such as for some nice urban sketching on the go. Here’s an example of me using (cheap) acrylics with the Micron pen.

These Crayola pens come in many nice colours and are fabulous for creative journaling or to use on the go. Don’t take the ‘washable’ too serious though, they’re really not.

I’ve been using the Pelikan water colour boxes since I was a toddler. They’re designed for children, but the colours are easy to use, cover well and are perfect for the odd art project that needs some colour, such as creative journaling or making greeting cards.

When I feel like painting and want something a little stronger than water colour, I just buy a cheap acrylic paint set from Amazon or the Pound Store. Nothing fancy but it does the trick for smaller projects.

If you’re planning to paint something that’s going on the wall or needs to stand the test of time, then Windsor & Newton or another professional brand is the way to go.

I haven’t used drawing ink for a while due to lack of time, but I’ve loved using the little Winsor & Newton pots at university. They are not cheap, so you might just start out with a single pot of your favourite shade (mine doesn’t exist anymore, but you could try Sunshine Yellow or Burnt Sienna for a nice old-school look).

As for brushes, I have no specific recommendations. Some of the ones I use I’ve pinched from my mother’s expensive water colour brush set some twenty years ago (they’re still good), others I’ve bought over the years in various art stores. Just make sure you have a set of cheap brushes handy for messier projects, so you don’t ruin your good ones.