Starting your art journey? You’re in the right place!
This guide lists the exact materials I personally use for graphite and coloured pencil drawing. I haven’t tried every brand out there — these are just what I’ve bought, tested, and found useful as an artist.
Each item is linked to a blog post (or will be soon), so you can learn how to use it and whether it’s right for you.
Graphite Drawing – Beginner Picks
These are the materials I started with (and still use!):
- Derwent Graphite Pencils – A basic set of 6 is enough
(You can also try Faber-Castell or Staedtler) - Mono Zero Eraser – Great for tiny highlights
- Blending Stumps – For soft shading ( read more )
- Mechanical Pencil – I use Faber-Castell 0.5mm 2B lead
- Paper – I mostly use Strathmore Bristol Vellum, but Bristol Smooth works well too As a beginner, the Strathmore 300 series is a good start
Later Add-Ons (Optional but Useful)
- Kneaded Eraser – Great for lifting highlights gently
- Electric Eraser – Faster and more precise
- Faber-Castell Pitt Graphite Matt Pencils – Dark tones without shine ( read more)
Coloured Pencil Drawing – Beginner Picks
Here’s what I use for coloured pencil artwork:
- Faber-Castell Polychromos – Oil-based, great for fur and details If you’re a total beginner or on a budget, their student-grade pencils are fine too
- Prismacolor Premier – Wax-based, very soft and blendable, but the tips can break easily
- Caran d’Ache Luminance – Wax-based, smooth and lightfast
- Solvent (I use Zest-It) – Helps blend colours like paint Not recommended for kids
- Paper –
- For fur and texture: Strathmore Bristol Smooth 300 Series
- For portraits: Bristol Vellum (still experimenting to find my favourite)
Later Add-Ons (Optional but Useful)
- White Gel Pen – For adding tiny highlights like in eyes or jewelry
Where I Buy These
Most of the supplies listed here are what I personally buy and use, and I usually order them from:
Sakura Sri Lanka – If you’re in Sri Lanka, they offer a great selection of authentic art materials (including many of the ones mentioned above).
→ Check out their online store: sakura.lk
Final Tip
You don’t need everything at once! Start with a few basics and build your kit as you grow.
When you’re ready, you can explore more tools in my blog — or ask me directly anytime 💬
