What pencil drawing supplies do I need to get started is one of the most often asked questions we receive. While having professional grade drawing pencils, erasers, papers, boards, etc. may be nice to have, you do not need to go expensive and in all honesty, they are not mandatory supplies.

The most important thing is not “what all things are needed for pencil drawing”! The most important thing you should concern yourself with when learning pencil drawing is simply willingness to practice with our list of solid pencil drawing ideas here, good lighting, and basic pencils and paper to begin.

Mastering the essential pencil drawing skills of pencil drawing like mark making, shading, perspective, composition can all be developed with minimal tools and cost.

Learning how to make do with what you have increases resourcefulness, creativity and appreciation for the basics. Once you can make progress in skills and abilities, then it may be worth the cost to upgrade select supplies that suit your specific needs and preferences.

All that being said, you should remember that there’s no need to be intimidated or wait to start learning until you can purchase the tools you think you may need.

Affordable Pencil Drawing Supplies for Beginners

The simplicity of pencil drawing makes it one of the most accessible art forms and you can start with these simple and essential drawing materials for beginners:

Pencil – A standard #2 pencil or cheap wood pencil is sufficient when starting out. Please do not use pens or popular markers such as the decocolor paint markers.
Paper – Any blank printer paper or scratch paper you have available works for practicing. Avoid lined paper.
Blunt Object – An old spoon, back of a paintbrush, or finger can blend pencil rather than a blending stump.
Tissue/Q-tip – Can be used to smudge or lift pencil instead of a kneaded eraser.
Toothpick/Scissors – Lightly sharpen or shape the pencil point if no sharpener is available.

Premium Pencil Drawing Supplies

Below is a list of the premium or more sought after tools and pencil drawing supplies that you can obtain as your skills and confidence builds.

Drawing Pencils – Pencils that range from hard (H) to soft (B) lead to allow for varied line textures and values. Common numbers are HB, 2B, 4B, 6B. You could also try getting a graphite pencil set to complete your supplies.
Erasers – Kneaded erasers can be shaped for controlled lifting. Plastic erasers cleanly remove marks.
Sharpener – Handheld or electric sharpeners to keep pencils fresh and precisely pointed.
Blending Stumps – Stumps or tortillions used to smudge and blend pencil strokes.
Drawing Paper – Vellum, sketching, or Bristol paper provide smooth or textured surfaces for different effects.
Drawing Board – A rigid surface like wood or cardboard to attach paper and draw on comfortably.
Ruler or Straightedge – For measuring proportions and creating straight lines.
Art Clips – Hold drawing paper securely to a board. Prevent paper from shifting while working.
Blender or Chamois – Soft leather used to blend large areas smoothly. Can shape pencil dust into gradients.
Craft Knife – Useful for sharpening blunt pencils or cleaning erasers.
Sandpaper Block – Smooths pencil points that become malformed from extensive sharpening.
Workable Fixative – Lightly sprays a fixative layer to prevent pencil marks from smearing or smudging.
Tortillions – Paper blending stumps available in different tips shapes like points or wedges.
Compressed Charcoal – Charcoal pencils or sticks used for rich blacks and loose sketching.
Art Gum Eraser – Softer, crumbly erasers that gently lift pencil marks without damaging paper.

Again, the above supplies are not needed and you can start simple and move up as you can afford too. Make sure you check out Amazon for the best cost on these basic and more premium pencil drawing supplies.

Pencil Drawing Supplies Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the essential supplies for pencil drawing? Essential pencil drawing supplies include quality graphite pencils (HB to 6B range), drawing paper, erasers (kneaded and vinyl), pencil sharpener, and a drawing board or surface.
2. What’s the difference between HB and 6B pencils? The grading scale indicates the hardness (H) or blackness (B) of pencils. HB is in the middle, offering a balance between light and dark lines, while higher B values create darker lines.
3. What types of paper are suitable for pencil drawing? Choose acid-free and archival quality papers with some tooth (texture). Drawing pads or sketchbooks specifically designed for pencil work are ideal.
4. What’s the purpose of kneaded erasers? Kneaded erasers are pliable and can be shaped for precision erasing and lightening areas. They don’t leave debris and work well for highlights.
5. Can I use regular sharpeners for graphite pencils? Yes, you can use regular sharpeners, but a quality pencil sharpener designed for art pencils will help maintain the pencil’s integrity.
6. Are mechanical pencils suitable for drawing? Mechanical pencils with a range of lead thicknesses can be used, especially for fine details, but traditional wood-cased pencils are more versatile.
7. What’s the best way to prevent smudging while drawing? Use a smudge guard glove or rest your hand on a clean sheet of paper while drawing to prevent smudging the graphite.
8. Can I blend pencil drawings for a smoother look? Yes, blending stumps, tortillons, or even tissue paper can be used to gently blend graphite for smoother shading.
9. Are colored pencils different from graphite pencils? Yes, colored pencils contain pigment cores and are designed for color work, while graphite pencils are primarily for grayscale drawing.
10. How do I protect my pencil drawings from smudging? Spray a fixative (workable or final) over your completed drawing to prevent smudging. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
11. What’s the purpose of a pencil extender? A pencil extender helps you continue using shorter pencils by providing a handle-like extension, reducing waste.
12. Do I need a separate eraser for colored pencils? Yes, colored pencil erasers are often softer to avoid damaging the colored pencil layers.
13. What is a blending stump used for? A blending stump (or tortillon) is a rolled paper tool used for blending and smoothing pencil marks.
14. How do I choose the right hardness for graphite pencils? H pencils (harder) are lighter and suitable for fine lines and details, while B pencils (softer) are darker and work well for shading and broader strokes.
15. Can I erase colored pencil marks? Colored pencil marks can be challenging to erase completely. It’s better to layer colors or adjust tones rather than trying to erase.

Resources for Pencil Drawing Supplies

Free Pencil Drawing Images – Click here