Not many people know that several different art supplies are available to artists. They’re surprised that there are many options available, from the types of paper to the pencils and the coloring materials; they’re even surprised to know there are sealants for some artworks to protect them from damage. Artists know the struggle of working using the right combinations to create the best possible output.
If you’re a budding artist, you shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the various selections that you can choose from. You have to become adept at using different art supplies to ensure that you have the best work you can muster. You need to select a material that you’re comfortable working with, try to master various techniques to create the best result, and then move on to another one.
Here are some of the art supplies you need to have handy at all times.
Paper
You’ll need a piece of paper to start your artwork. For beginners, start with a sketchpad. These products offer different paper weights and textures. There are also a few specialty paper products that you can use. For example, there’s copy paper, marbled paper, vellum, and paper stock. Select which one you would like to use and have at it. You’ll discover their characteristics and how well they react to your techniques.
Pencils
You can use different types of pencils. If you’re comfortable using mechanical pencils, you can do so. If you’re more comfortable using graphite pencils, you can use them. Keep in mind that different HB numbers represent the hardness and blackness of the graphite. You can also use charcoal pencils and colored pencils depending on what kind of effect you wish to achieve.
Kneaded erasers
Standard erasers damage paper and leave a residue that can damage the appearance of your work. This is why you need to use kneaded erasers if you commit a mistake during the process. They will keep your artwork intact as they don’t damage the paper, and they lift the graphite easily without any residue.
Ruler
A ruler will help you create grids to help you make a good portrait. Invest in stainless steel or anodized aluminum rulers instead of plastic ones. These rulers are easier to clean, and they typically wouldn’t leave a mark on your paper.
Coloring materials and brushes
There’s a huge variety of coloring materials available for artists. There’s a lot to choose from crayons to color pastels to different types of paint and watercolors. If you wish to use acrylic paints, you should start with red, black, white, yellow, green, and blue. Buy two tubes of white so you can have extra for mixing purposes.
You will also need brushes if you use watercolor or acrylic paints. There are synthetic, and natural bristle brushes that you can choose from. They come in various widths, and they can affect the appearance of your artwork. Natural bristles show the brush strokes, while synthetic bristles leave smooth lines.
Takeaways
Artists need to select and stock up on various art supplies. In addition, you have to become comfortable with what you’re using as it can affect your techniques and output.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://pixabay.com/photos/watercolor-painter-artist-art-62983/
2nd image from https://pixabay.com/photos/painter-paint-artist-brush-tool-1937575/
