Three Things To Start Drawing

When starting to draw, the materials you use don’t need to be expensive or complicated. In fact, a small selection of reliable tools is often better than a large collection of supplies. In my classes, I encourage students to focus on a few essentials that allow them to concentrate on observation, line quality, and tonal control rather than constantly switching materials.

2mm Mechanical Pencil(s)
A 2mm mechanical pencil is one of the most versatile drawing tools. It allows for both very fine lines and broader shading simply by adjusting pressure and angle. Unlike standard pencils, it doesn’t need constant sharpening, which helps maintain focus during longer drawing sessions. My absolute favourite grade is 2B, but for a complete drawing it's great to have HB and 2H as well. I found a complete set of mechanical pencils at a brilliant price that includes three holders, leads in all three grades, erasers and even sharpeners. As a bonus, it also includes 0.7 mechanical pencils, which are great for really detailed aspects of your drawings.

*Desktop Pencil Sharpener
If you already have pencils at home and want to try those before buying mechanical clutch pencils, a good desktop pencil sharpener will be your friend, especially one with multiple grades of sharpness. It gives you great control over your marks and allows you to concentrate on what you are drawing rather than sharpening your pencils continuously. This Manual Pencil Sharpener has 5 grades and is therefore suitable for artists, children and writing pencils alike.

Putty (Kneadable) Eraser
A good putty eraser is invaluable for classical drawing. Rather than rubbing graphite away harshly, it gently lifts tone from the page. This makes it ideal for creating highlights, softening edges, and correcting mistakes without damaging the paper surface. I often recommend those made by Faber‑Castell because they are the absolute best on the market and last a very long time.

Precision / Fine Eraser
A precision eraser (sometimes called a detail eraser) is perfect for small corrections and sharp highlights - for example, catching light on an eye or refining the edge of a form. It gives far more control than a standard rubber and is particularly useful once you begin working with more detailed studies. The Tombow precision rubber with an angled tip is my absolute favourite and a stable in my art practice.

These three tools are enough to begin building strong drawing skills. The emphasis should always be on learning to see accurately and control tone, rather than accumulating materials. With just a pencil and two erasers, it’s possible to achieve a surprisingly wide range of effects.

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