Shopping for art supplies and books is one of the best things about being an artist but it can also be overwhelming if you haven't figured out your favorites yet. Below is a list of sketching supplies that I love and recommend. You can click on any item listed to go to a link on Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but the price from Amazon remains the same for you.
Drawing paper. I love the 9 x 12 Stillman & Birn, Alpha Series book with wire binding. The paper is lovely and the wire binding sturdy. Don't get smaller than the 9 x 12 size as this is a great size to really draw freely. I do all my practice drawing in this sketchbook. For more finished drawings, I use Arches Blocks Hot Press 9 x 12.
If you plan on combining drawing and watercolor work in your sketchbook, I recommend instead the Stillman & Birn Zeta Series (heavyweight hot press paper) (8.25" x 11.75”). The paper does much better with watercolor than the Alpha series sketchbook listed above.
Optional: you might enjoy drawing on toned paper too, such as grey or tan paper.
It's good to have a variety of drawing pencils (6B, 4B, HB2, 2H for example... I recommend 4 to 6 pencils of varying B and H levels).
My favorite pencils are the Faber Castell 9000 Design Pencil FC119064 Pack of 12 or the Tombow 51523 MONO Drawing Pencil Set, Assorted Degrees, 12-Pack. Professional Quality Graphite Pencil Set with Eraser and Sharpener.
These sets don't come with the drawing stumps and sand paper sharpener so you would have to buy those separately.
I love the Lyra Graphite Stick 9B for adding graphite to the back of drawings done on trace paper to be able to quickly transfer drawings.
If you want to explore drawing on toned paper, you should buy a red conte pencil and a white conte pencil.
A pencil sharpener (I recommend the electric AFMAT Long Point Pencil Sharpener, Artist Electric Pencil Sharpener or the manual Kum, Two Hole Automatic Long Point Pencil Sharpener)
A ruler (preferably clear)
Fixative Spray (to keep the drawing from smearing)
A little bag to keep all your pens, pencil, erasers and ruler in. I love these little beauties because you can open them and stand up the bag like a cup to hold everything upright while you draw.
Optional: An easel so you can draw at an angle.Although quite large, I love the SoHo Urban Artist Adjustable Drawing Board Adjustable Drawing Board (measures 19.75 x 29.5 inches). At this large size it allows me to have both my reference photo and drawing paper side by side for sight size drawing.
This Jullian Art Drawing Board is slightly smaller at 20 x 25 and also lovely.
And that's a list of my favorites. Enjoy!
When you click the link for a product, you get the same low price you normally would pay on Amazon and Amazon pays me a small percentage for recommending the product.