Drawing Exercises

What is the best and most affordable sketching/drawing paper and pencils for a beginner?

I just started drawing a few days ago. It's a brand new hobby for me, and I am definitely in the early learning stages. I will need a lot of practice, so I want to know about finding the best and most practical paper and pencils for my sketches. Where paper is concerned, I need to be able to do a lot of revisions without sacrificing the integrity of the texture. Also, what about erasers? I am a completely novice, and have never had an art class in my life.

Public Comments

1. go to this web site www.dickblick.com I get all my materials there and they have all prices. They have very low prices for any kind of art supply you need. You have to search wisely. Don't go crazy and you'll find great deals.
2. get yourself some three foot wide brown butcher paper on a roll its not expensive if its a Short roll. use any thing that you want to draw with experimenting with lots of different things... draw big and expressive until you can control even a large swiping line then eventually scale down in your drawings until you at the small size paper and by then you will have tried tons of things to draw with and that will help you pick both paper and drawing instrument of your choice because it will best fit you style of drawing which on one will be able to determine except you. Draw one hour everyday at the same time draw anything that you want. Draw 2 or 3 hours a day if you want to learn to sell them. good drawing and paper hunting.
3. can only suggest get a good sketch pad, 8x11, or larger, 12x18, http://artistcraftsman.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=ACS&Category_Code=DPADS get a good set of soft pencils 2b, 4b, 6b, http://www.in2art.com/product_popup.php?prodID=370 as for erasing, use white eraser, suggest not worry about too much undoing, http://www.shoplet.com/office/db/g13948.html just go with the flow of things, smooth out edges, and just have fun practicing, http://www.rebekahlynn.com/free/tutorial/shading_tutorial.html ..
4. kneaded erasers are a must, they are easiest on the paper. i dont know where you live, in england go to waterstones and buy an inexpensive drawing or sketch book to start and some good grade pencils, soft ones. in the united states you can get paper and pencils at walmart in some areas, and at hobby lobby and Michaels arts and crafts, just start with modest priced stuff and work your way up.
5. Personally I use Strathmore pads. But there are a few good brands out there. And get artist pencils, not ones that you get by the stationary. They come in different grades. They go from H for the harder pencils to B for the softer ones. HB is right in the middle . It is about the equal of a number two pencil. Personally I like the softer ones. And if you're concerned about wearing out the paper, stick with the B's. If you go too high, like a 6b you may build up a shine so be careful. Then it gets really thick and it's hard to erase.You can really do a lot with HB's to 2b's. Needed erasers are good because they can be used to blot excess graphite off the paper. or you can take a piece and rub the drawing to erase more.Then you can roll it up into itself,and it'll absorb the graphite. When I want a good clean erase I use a 'pink pearl' but I use it sparingly. Also remember not to draw too heavily. In other words don't press too hard too soon. That will just give you lots of dark marks to erase. As you get more into your drawing you can press harder But try to keep reminding yourself to keep it light when you start. You can get these supplies at arts and crafts stores. I believe even stores like Walmart have a section where they sell some drawing supplies..just be careful of the pads though. Go for a name like Canson, or Strathmore, and get artist's pencils.(HB etc)
6. To begin, you'r going to go threw alot of frustration in the early stages. When you start theres a wide chasium between what you'r trying to draw and what you actually make. Remeber that ever single artist starts out this way, talent isn't a factor. I'd suggest that you don't even buy erasers at this stage, they'll hurt you more than help. Why, becuase this is the time that everyone makes mistakes, and being able to see them will help you slowly to correct them. If you erase them your eye won't remeber what the problems or good points were. Yes, its annoying to see your mistakes, but thats becuase your mind is processing how to fix it, and an eraser isn't the best answer. Get yourself a large newprint pad at least 18-24 and a masonite clipboard for it, you can get them at any art/craft store. Its cheap and you won't feeel bad skecthing on it. Bucther paper works to, but roll is to heay to carry around with you. A sketch book is also a must, right now a spiral bond 11x14, I perfer Canson myself but as long as its not too pricy. Carcoals are you the weapon of choice in beginging classes, they're messy, what I found was oil based charoal pencils are alot easier to work with than regular charcoal. Faber Castle and CertaColor make some, use them for your sketchbook. Blocks and sticks are easier for the newsprint and large areas. I'd suggest cattle markers, sounds dumb but all they are really are sticks of oil paint and theyr big and cheap. peal of the skin on one end and go to town. To finish, this can be an expensive hobby, try to find a mid-range to sample things from. Don't buy sets of pencils or charcoals yet, go a item at a time so you can find out what you like and not get stuck with something you don't. Classes are invauleable to getting better in later stages, but most of the basic principals are found in books. They're alot of good books out there, I'd recomend a figure drawing good to start out with. What helped me most was sitting outside and drawing trees everyday. Hope this helps.