Action is the foundational key to success ~ Pablo Picasso

As you notice my quote on the picture is filled with mistakes. I am trying to learn calligraphy and I have a long way to go. But, our journey continues.  Also, that paper, pencil, and eraser in the upper left is a slightly modified copy of the believed fourth grader's drawing. A remarkable piece that is my inspiration for these posts.

Starting the Journey with Supplies

So, what does it take to start drawing? Surprisingly very little. Art can be just another way of making a diary. As you grow and develop your unique style more and higher quality material will be needed and as I mentioned previously, there are many resources that explain all the different tools. However, learning the fundamentals and gaining experience requires a low investment in supplies. When I entered art school, I was given a list of supplies that I would need. Most were unused until much later.

Most art is started with a HB pencil. Many standard "school supply" pencils are rated HB or #2 and can be used to start, but do not have consistent quality. Art pencils are rated by hardness or softness. Numbers 1,2, 3...9. H's are hard (lighter) while B's are soft (darker). HB is the middle point. I found that starting my training, a HB is the most used and versatile for the beginner. A 2B is not needed in the beginning, but makes darkening lines and basic shading easier. Later, you may want a 2H for lighter lines. A pencil sharpener is a must. Investing in a cheap ruler helps immensely with many things (proportion, lines, perspective etc.). Trying to draw a straight line freehand is difficult, but like most things, it gets easier with practice. For now any paper will work. Later you will discover that the type of paper creates different effects. I recommend a sketch pad about 9 by 12 of medium weight. Most stores carry a selection in the school supplies section. It provides support for your drawing paper and accepts many different mediums (Ink,pencil,charcoal,crayon etc.) most state these facts on the cover.  

Now we have two pencils, a sharpener, paper and ruler. We all make mistakes or create helpful marks as guidelines. A great eraser is needed to negate these from the finished picture. Erasers are erasers right? Wrong, a good plastic eraser, found in art stores and some stores in the school supplies or office section (it will have plastic eraser written on it), is a good all purpose erasure that removes unwanted marks better with less chance of destroying the paper. I prefer the Mars plastic erasure. Of course you can use a basic soft school eraser carefully to start. The eraser on a pencil is a definite no.

My picture shows a strange shape in the left hand corner. What is that, a snail? It is my kneaded rubber eraser,not to be confused with a gum rubber eraser, it will say "kneaded" on the package. The kneaded erasure is very helpful. Ever try to remove a small mistake with a fat eraser and find that half of the material is missing? The pliable kneaded eraser can be formed to any shape to clean small areas or to touch up highlights in your shading. Here is a link that shows a picture of some common erasures and tests them http://www.penciltalk.org/2008/03/erasers-the-pink-pearl-the-staedtler-mars-plastic-and-others

In conclusion, the supplies consist of two pencils, a HB and a 2B. A ruler, pencil sharpener, paper, and two erasers (plastic and kneaded rubber). I drew this picture with the basic supplies mentioned on a standard grade of school supplies paper (except the lettering). Finally, an art book (from the store or library) or search on the Internet will present much information on the different types of art paper (weight, tooth,cold-press, hot-press,etc.) and other supplies (pencils,paints, brushes,etc.). Quality and attributes do differ between products. It is well worth the time to know, especially later, but for now, Let's draw!!!