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# All of the Drawing Supplies You Will Ever Need as a Beginner

By [Alexis Cassandra Art (@alexiscass)](https://listium.com/@alexiscass)

807 views · 4 likes · 2 followers  
Published 20 May 2022 · Updated 20 May 2022

Category: visual art & design / art & craft supplies

This is a list with all my favorite drawing supplies for beginners. If you want to get started with drawing but don't know what to buy, this list should help you decide what the most important items are.

Remember, you don't need to buy all of these supplies right away. Rather see which supplies might solve any issues you run into in your journey of learning to draw (for example, one issue may be that you are constantly smudging messy media like graphite or charcoal on your hand, and the answer to that may be to buy a big pad of wax paper to protect your paper/hand with).

Start out with the essentials and then branch out from there!

For further reviews or to see these products in action, check out my \[Youtube Channel\](https://www.youtube.com/c/AlexisCassandraArt) , \[Patreon\](https://www.patreon.com/alexiscassandraart) , and \[Skillshare\](https://www.skillshare.com/r/profile/Alexis-Cassandra-Art/3421478?gr_tch_ref=on&gr_trp=on) !

## Items

### 1. [Faber Castell 9000 Graphite Pencils](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/2/faber-castell-9000-graphite-pencils)

Item ID: `2`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/dloi64it4qw3ns63wbia.jpg)
- Category: Graphite Pencil
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Essential
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=240&end=260](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=240&end=260)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: Once you find a set that you like, you don't really need to have a ton of different pencil sets. I recommend this graphite set. You are able to get very fine details. Keep in mind, the 8B is not the darkest and higher values are not offered. Faber-Castell has since released a matte version of these pencils if you don't like graphite shine and if you would like a set including darker values.
- Price: $6.99
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3sHc65b](https://amzn.to/3sHc65b)

### 2. [Staedtler Mars Lumograph Graphite Pencils](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/3/staedtler-mars-lumograph-graphite-pencils)

Item ID: `3`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/vlw4gkxentgebcgyzoey.jpg)
- Category: Graphite Pencil
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Essential
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=326&end=277](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=326&end=277)
- Quality: ★★★★☆
- Comments: These have a slightly different feel to them than the Faber Castell 9000 Graphite Set. You are able to get even darker values, which is great. In some countries, these are much easier to find than other graphite sets. Depending on your tastes, you may like one set more than the other which is why this list includes both.
- Price: $12.75
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3yCLLt0](https://amzn.to/3yCLLt0)

### 3. [Pentel White Eraser](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/17/pentel-white-eraser)

Item ID: `17`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/mvnbeqxccnt4o6klxued.jpg)
- Category: Eraser
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Essential
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=865&end=885](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=865&end=885)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: You definitely want to stick with a white eraser, because you don't want any colored residue from a colored eraser coming off on your paper, and it's best to try to find one that doesn't give off a ton of flakes. This eraser is all of that and comes in larger packs so you never run out!
- Price: $8.99
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3PtLG0u](https://amzn.to/3PtLG0u)

### 4. [Canson Mixed Media Sketchbook](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/0/canson-mixed-media-sketchbook)

Item ID: `0`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/tcbgxxzvcsudnprfpvjp.jpg)
- Category: Paper
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Essential
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=59&end=201](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=59&end=201)
- Quality: ★★★★☆
- Comments: If you're newer to drawing and art, I assume that you might be reaching for a sketchbook more often, than just buying individual sheets or pads of paper or drawing paper, which might be more expensive. This way, you can keep all your art in one place. Most important: You don't need to buy this particular sketchbook, it is just an example. Pay attention to the quality of the paper when buying a sketchbook and avoid thin paper. Otherwise, the material will transfer to the back of the paper and it will be damaged pretty easily. The size is up to you, if you're thinking to draw at home, your sketchbook can be big, but if you plan traveling with it, the size must be portable and more practical.
- Price: $13.14
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3FXwGUn](https://amzn.to/3FXwGUn)

### 5. [Kneaded Eraser](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/18/kneaded-eraser)

Item ID: `18`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/xoisnoc2xameo2zhe8b4.jpg)
- Category: Eraser
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Helpful
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=886&end=901](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=886&end=901)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: It's great for picking up excess graphite, lightly erasing and molding to whatever shape that you want. Any kneaded eraser should do.
- Price: $6.79
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3yKt06W](https://amzn.to/3yKt06W)

### 6. [Tombow Mono Zero Eraser (Round and Square)](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/19/tombow-mono-zero-eraser-round-and-square)

Item ID: `19`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/mjrwcr4ygwtaaqxgk9ox.jpg)
- Category: Eraser
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Helpful
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=902&end=958](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=902&end=958)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: These look and function like a mechanical pencil, except they are erasers. They are great for erasing smaller areas that would be hard to get into with a regular size eraser. You can buy the round or square version. The best part is that they're refillable.
- Price: $14.90
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3a7CdvU](https://amzn.to/3a7CdvU)

### 7. [General's Charcoal Pencils](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/12/generals-charcoal-pencils)

Item ID: `12`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/vadqapfqsedzrsoby3bd.jpg)
- Category: Charcoal pencil
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Helpful
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=774&end=797](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=774&end=797)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: Charcoal is a cheap medium that will add a lot to your drawings and they are easy to find. Keep in mind, they are matte and not reflective like graphite. Charcoal drawings will also be a lot faster and messier than using regular graphite. General's is easy to find and a reliable brand, but be careful when buying the hard or extra hard pencils as they tend to be scratchy.
- Price: $4.72
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3lmFaep](https://amzn.to/3lmFaep)

### 8. [Cretacolor Nero Charcoal Pencils](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/13/cretacolor-nero-charcoal-pencils)

Item ID: `13`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/bfh80sdv7laeh5e6xpjo.jpg)
- Category: Charcoal pencil
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Helpful
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=774&end=797](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=774&end=797)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: These are oil-based, therefore different than regular charcoal. There is way less smudging and it is much easier to get fine details. These are a great compliment to your existing graphite or charcoal set.
- Price: $8.28
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3wraOMI](https://amzn.to/3wraOMI)

### 9. [Pentel 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/4/pentel-05mm-mechanical-pencil)

Item ID: `4`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/w3vzr3fkzb7ir6jf0ivs.jpg)
- Category: Graphite Pencil
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Helpful
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=278&end=303](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=278&end=303)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: For sketching and outlines I often just like to use a basic mechanical pencil, because you don't have to worry about sharpening and you can get all those tiny details. However, I am leaving the link to this particular mechanical pencil because it is really high quality and nice to grip as you are using it.
- Price: $7.99
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3NnP0sb](https://amzn.to/3NnP0sb)

### 10. [Blending Stump + Tortillion](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/20/blending-stump--tortillion)

Item ID: `20`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/pyfkndxroh3ni3h1tu16.jpg)
- Category: Shading
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Helpful
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=959&end=985](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=959&end=985)
- Quality: ★★★★☆
- Comments: These are great for shading but they get messy very quickly. Tortillion is a small version of the blending stump and is great for finer details. These are great to have, but can also be made at home using paper if you would prefer that.
- Price: $5.99
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3yF4W5v](https://amzn.to/3yF4W5v)

### 11. [Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Single Pencil - Colour 199 Black](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/7/faber-castell-polychromos-artists-single-pencil-colour-199-black)

Item ID: `7`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/jgk1ow9evxhi2tgj85rr.jpg)
- Category: Colored pencil
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Helpful
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=584&end=627](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=584&end=627)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: The black Polychromos is dark but also firm so you can use it for small details. You can even use this for a graphite drawing if you want to get dark values without using a medium like charcoal.
- Price: $6.19
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3yKugqG](https://amzn.to/3yKugqG)

### 12. [TGAAL Multisharpener](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/11/tgaal-multisharpener)

Item ID: `11`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/ooox7m309naedlgxtkke.jpg)
- Category: Pencil sharpener
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Helpful
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=705&end=773](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=705&end=773)
- Quality: ★★★★☆
- Comments: It's a rotational sharpener, where you can adjust and choose which length of a point you want. This way, you don't waste pencil while sharpening. You can't use all pencils with this, like Derwent and Caran d'ache, because they are too big. They work well for Polychromos and Prismacolors.
- Price: $6.91
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3FWi5bH](https://amzn.to/3FWi5bH)

### 13. [Caran D'ache Luminance Colored Pencil, White](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/9/caran-dache-luminance-colored-pencil-white)

Item ID: `9`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/s0dnbreiokwhz53exrpd.jpg)
- Category: Colored pencil
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Helpful
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=628&end=636](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=628&end=636)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: The Polychromos white is translucent while this one is a more opaque option that works well for blending and adding highlights.
- Price: $9.96
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/37S3mSG](https://amzn.to/37S3mSG)

### 14. [Westcott 8ths 12-Inch Beveled Transparent Ruler (B-60)](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/21/westcott-8ths-12-inch-beveled-transparent-ruler-b-60)

Item ID: `21`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/ntw8zlxz2vgs62lumysw.jpg)
- Category: Ruler
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Not necessary
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=986&end=1027](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=986&end=1027)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: You can use it to trim down paper into different sizes or if you sketch and you'd like to measure out distances, it's great to have a clear ruler like this. Of course, you can also use it as a straight edge.
- Price: $4.73
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3NjvxJh](https://amzn.to/3NjvxJh)

### 15. [Faber-Castel 24 Piece Polychromous Colored Pencil Set](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/6/faber-castel-24-piece-polychromous-colored-pencil-set)

Item ID: `6`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/f7qn3hc1ggvezydzdod9.jpg)
- Category: Colored pencil
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Not necessary
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=406&end=583](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=406&end=583)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: I started off with a 24 set and built it up from there and I ended up liking these pencils more. These pencils are oil based, so they have a hard core. They stay so sharp and you can add in all those tiny little details, so they're great to work with and especially helpful for hair, fur, or small details.
- Price: $32.50
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3wnMw7R](https://amzn.to/3wnMw7R)

### 16. [Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/5/prismacolor-premier-colored-pencils)

Item ID: `5`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/rtl5ns1pedsefsv7vvin.jpg)
- Category: Colored pencil
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Not necessary
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=304&end=405](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=304&end=405)
- Quality: ★★★★☆
- Comments: I started with 72 colors and it was a little overwhelming for me, because I was new to color mediums. The prismacolors are soft and waxy, so you have to sharpen them more frequently, if you're going for a high level of detail. I particularly, don't use these too much anymore but am including them because they are so many artists' favorites. This is why it's important to try pencils open stock, if possible, before you buy a whole set. If that's not possible, I would start out with a smaller set, because they're not as expensive.
- Price: $75.99
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3PmDkbj](https://amzn.to/3PmDkbj)

### 17. [Uni-Ball UM 153 Signo Broad Point Gel Pen - White](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/16/uni-ball-um-153-signo-broad-point-gel-pen-white)

Item ID: `16`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/wtzvtamzrlvuvbnnh2w7.jpg)
- Category: Fineliner
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Not necessary
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=830&end=864](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=830&end=864)
- Quality: ★★★★☆
- Comments: This works to add highlights to your work. Keep in mind, the highlights will be especially bright. They work well for things like highlights in the eye, or if you are drawing metal, rubber, or something else that is shiny.
- Price: $6.19
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3NbueMy](https://amzn.to/3NbueMy)

### 18. [Gamblin Gamsol Odourless Mineral Spirits](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/10/gamblin-gamsol-odourless-mineral-spirits)

Item ID: `10`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/iufnqbovbadrd0ra9vsh.jpg)
- Category: Solvent
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Not necessary
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=637&end=704](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=637&end=704)
- Quality: ★★★★☆
- Comments: Use this to blend your colored pencils. This is fairly easy to use, it doesn't cause you to have a headache or your eyes to burn too much. Of course, with any solvent you're going to need to ventilate, but this one is not terrible. Take breaks while you are using. This bottle will last you a while.
- Price: $27.95
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3Lh4q04](https://amzn.to/3Lh4q04)

### 19. [Sakura Pigma 30067 Micron Blister Card Ink Pen Set](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/15/sakura-pigma-30067-micron-blister-card-ink-pen-set)

Item ID: `15`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/nob0epfnismcudk3ehl7.jpg)
- Category: Fineliner
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Not necessary
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=798&end=829](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=798&end=829)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: These are great and recommended for lining. You can fineline to make a drawing more stylistic.
- Price: $14.29
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3LAW43L](https://amzn.to/3LAW43L)

### 20. [Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/14/faber-castell-pitt-artist-pen)

Item ID: `14`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/stlgfwdb7vwj99w8wpug.jpg)
- Category: Fineliner
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Not necessary
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=798&end=829](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=798&end=829)
- Quality: ★★★★☆
- Comments: This is Faber Castell's version of a fineliner. You can fineline to make a drawing more stylistic.
- Price: $12.50
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3PtpRyc](https://amzn.to/3PtpRyc)

### 21. [Tracing paper](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/22/tracing-paper)

Item ID: `22`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/nw05cyfxohx833zbw8tx.jpg)
- Category: Paper
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Not necessary
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=1028&end=1080](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=1028&end=1080)
- Quality: ★★★★★
- Comments: You can use it to protect your hand while drawing or protect your paper from your hand, your oils and things like that. It's safe to put it on the top of the paper because since it's waxy, it's not going to pick up your charcoal or graphite and it's not going to smudge your drawings.
- Price: $7.22
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3MpUjHK](https://amzn.to/3MpUjHK)

### 22. [Strathmore 350-9 300 Series Sketch Pad](https://listium.com/@alexiscass/69415/all-of-the-drawing-supplies-you-will-ever-need-as-a-beginner/1/strathmore-350-9-300-series-sketch-pad)

Item ID: `1`

- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/gotei9tvppe2czfqger4.jpg)
- Category: Paper
- Necessity  (Essential, Helpful, Not necessary): Not necessary
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=202&end=235](https://youtu.be/5GX0FVexWOM&start=202&end=235)
- Quality: ★★★☆☆
- Comments: It's just something you can use to create swatches, make tests or practice some technique before applying to a drawing that you're doing. It's really useful to just have some excess paper and a little notepad, especially when swatching new products or trying something new. You can also use printer paper or any other thin sketch paper!
- Price: $12.19
- Link to buy: [https://amzn.to/3wmkt8x](https://amzn.to/3wmkt8x)