Tools and Materials
ALL THE TOOLS I USE
Paper...
The paper I love to use the most is Strathmore 300 series Bristol Vellum (Tape) size 19 x 24 inches 270g/m2 I have also used the Strathmore 300 series Bristol Smooth (Tape) before too, but do prefer the Vellum as it holds the graphite better.
Here is my affiliate link if you wish to purchase these papers here...
Rulers...
I use a 1 metre long plastic ruler and a standard ruler both with mm, cm and inch measurements, these are for drawing my grids onto reference material and paper.
Pencils...
I only use a mechanical pencil 0.3mm by Pentel now using both B and 2B leads.
I never have to sharpen them and the point is very thin for creating fine details, which I like, especially good for those with a lighter touch.
I feel I don't need every shade of pencil under the sun to create my drawings, these shades work wonders for me and I include a little graphite powder and a charcoal pencil to do the rest.
Graphite Powder...
I have recently started playing about more with Graphite Powder early 2017 and although messy (which being an Artist is mostly about) it does save time and creates those darker shades and tones to my work, especially backgrounds and skin textures.
This graphite powder is Brevillion's Gretacolor brand, and its the only brand of powder I have tried so far.
Charcoal Pencil and Sharpener...
The best charcoal pencil that I have ever used so far would be the Conte a Paris 3B pierre noire, (I swear by it) it blends well and allows me to create those deep matt black areas on my drawings and I sharpen it with Faber Castells trio pencil sharpener.
Erasers...
Three of my most trusted Erasers are the kneaded Faber Castel eraser, this is excellent for lightening any area with a very pliable texture to shape however you choose.
The other two are the Tombow mono zero eraser pens, one small circular tip and the other a flat rectangular tip both are great for general rubbing out but also fantastic to create those fine white hair lines and white areas.
Blending Tools Part 1...
Here we have some everyday household blending tools, cotton buds for smaller areas and cotton pads, plus tissue paper for larger areas.
You can also use cloth but whatever helps blend the Graphite best with.
Blending Tools Part 2...
The most asked question regarding my blending tools are "what are those black ones?"
So when I started realistic drawing back in 2013 I visited my local art shop looking for some tools to blend with, mainly a tool that blends my conte a paris 3B charcoal pencil with.
I found these Colour Shaper Royal Sovereign blending tools in both a 6 Taper Point Soft (larger one) and a 0 Taper Point Firm (the smaller one) and my goodness they blend the conte charcoal pencil beautifully. Below are a large and small Tortillion a very popular and effective blending tool for both small and larger areas when using graphite pencil.
Fixative...
Iv'e never used a Fixative Spray before up until November 2017 and I'm still testing it out, but I've heard it does help protect pencil and charcoal drawings, leaving a Matt finish.
This one is the Conte a Paris Fixative Spray.
Working In The Dark...
One of the best and affordable investments made in the year of 2016 was buying the UnoLamp with Clamp from Amazon, It has 4 touch sensitive light settings and gives off a white light not a yellow. It also does not heat up like some art lamps and the added bonus is it has an adjustable clamp to fit all easels and art desks.
