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“Drawing is not what one sees but what one can make others see”
Edgar Degas
I’m sharing my essential drawing tools as part of a series of posts explaining how I create some of my artwork. As always, do share your own tools or ask any questions you have related to my drawing methods.
Your Essential Illustration Toolbox: Drawing
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1. Graphite Pencils
I really like the Derwent pencils. If you’re just starting out invest in a tin of Derwent Graphic Soft Graphite Pencils, 9B-H – Set of 12Image may be NSFW.
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for around £8 to £11 pounds
You can then buy them as single pencils at approx £1.25 (eg Derwent 2B Graphic PencilImage may be NSFW.
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) when they run down. My core pencils are B, 2B, 4B, 6B and occasionally 8B for really dark tones.
2. Mechanical Pencils
I love mechanical pencils! I use them for the details such as eyelashes and hair details. Invest in a set of Rotring 801310 Tikky Mechanical Pencil – Set of 3Image may be NSFW.
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approx £10 – then all you need to do is buy replacement leads.
3. Kneadable Putty Rubber
Drawing is as much what you erase as what you draw. Daler-Rowney artist kneadable putty eraser – softImage may be NSFW.
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are approx £1 and are an essential part of an artist drawing toolbox. You can literally knead them into shapes and create different tones by ‘lifting’ the pencil from the paper without damaging or smearing it (which can happen with hard erasers).
4. Mechanical Eraser
A Tombow Mechanical Eraser is my star product for drawing hair. The fine details I can achieve are amazing. Mechanical erasers are also brilliant for creating highlights in eyes and lips. This is my favourite – Gomma Di Precisione Mono Zero RotonImage may be NSFW.
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approx £3.99 and the refills are about £2.50 Tombow 2.3 mm Round Tip MONO Zero Eraser Refill (Pack of 2)
5. Rice paper Drawing Stumps
Smudging lines can be as effective as erasing them! I only discovered these drawing stumps last year and they radically changed the quality of my work. Try Derwent Rice Paper Stumps for Blending and Smudging – Pack of 3Image may be NSFW.
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approx £3.50 or around £1.50 per stump
6. Bristol Board Paper
Bristol Board is my choice of paper for it’s smooth finish. This paper is the priciest part of your illustration toolbox. I don’t like the paper texture to show when I scan my illustrations, so smooth finish Bristol Board is perfect. Plus I feel I can achieve more detail in my drawings with this paper. I use Winsor & Newton Extra Smooth Bristol Board Gummed A4 PadImage may be NSFW.
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which is about £7 for A4 or £14 for an A3 pad, (I often buy A3 and cut the paper in half for smaller drawings.)
7. Washi Tape Sometimes I need to tape my paper to my drawing board to stop the paper unexpectedly slipping. Especially if I’m adding paint to a drawing. I use washi tape which is not only useful because it doesn’t leave a residue and I can reposition the paper easily, it also looks pretty. The Mudder 20 Rolls Colorful Decorative Washi Masking TapeImage may be NSFW.
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is a lovely collection.
8. Coffee & Tea in a Pretty Mug
Essential to keep me going through the day. Invest in a nice mug! My favourite at the moment is the Bombay Duck spotty letter ‘G’ mug approx £14
9. Music/Podcasts/Radio
Good tunes throughout the day is another element I can’t live without. Radio 2, Radio 4, myriad podcasts and an iTunes subscription keep me inspired.
Drawing Toolkit in Pictures
Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
And Finally…
Let me know your creative tools of choice. Podcast recommendations or tunes that inspire you to create. Or if you have any questions about my illustrations and drawing toolbox just leave a question in the comments below.
Have an inspired day
Georgie x
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, it simply means I earn a (very) small amount of revenue from the sale. It doesn’t mean you pay anymore. These are genuine products I use and love. Pricing is approximate at the time of posting. Phew glad we got that out-of-the-way!
The post Your Essential Illustration Toolbox Part 1: Drawing appeared first on Georgie St Clair.