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Canvas
A direct recommendation for choosing a canvas is that it should be dense and not transparent. The size of the grain will not greatly affect the quality of the work, so choose according to your taste. Keep in mind the quality of the stretcher frame on which the canvas will be stretched. For larger sizes, the stretcher frame should have auxiliary slats that will hold the outer frame so that the canvas does not bend under the tension of the canvas over time.
Don’t start with large canvases right away, because working with scale requires more time and skill. It is better to start with canvases ranging in size from A4 to A3. Working with paints often takes more time than working with graphite, so you need to approach creating art with wet materials consciously. In order not to burn out during long and painstaking work with the canvas, it is better to start with a smaller format.
Brushes
When discussing the quality of brushes, it is important to remember that at the beginning of your creative journey, you should focus on their versatility. Therefore, in order for your hand to become faster and for the feeling during work to be comfortable, you should pay attention to soft synthetics. The bristles should be elastic and stay together in the ferrule (the metal base where the bristles are fixed). Be sure to pay attention to the fact that individual bristles should not pull out of the general bunch.
Do not buy stiff synthetic brushes, as they will do more harm than good to a beginner. It is important to feel the pressure of the brush and the quality of the stroke, which is much easier to do with soft bristles. Do not use very wide brushes or only liners. Choose a pair of flat and round medium-sized brushes (5-10) and enjoy your work.
Paper
Choose high-quality thick paper for working with graphite and watercolors. It will provide good adhesion with a pencil and will not get wet when working with watercolors.
The paper should not be too transparent and should not be susceptible to mechanical damage from minimal handling.
Do not use office paper for drawing, as it is intended for printing. Its quality is not suitable for working with graphite, as it will reflect too much on the surface of the paper. Also, if you need to correct the tone or remove inaccuracies in the drawing, the eraser may damage the surface of the paper or leave marks. This is categorically unsuitable
for artistic work.
Graphite
It’s much easier with pencils. Pay attention to brands such as KOH-I-NOR and MARCO, which offer a wide selection of affordable pencils. They are high-quality and proven by time and experience. If you are interested in the luxury segment, pay attention to FABER CASTLE and ROTRING, which have long established themselves in the world of professional art.
Do not buy very cheap pencils, as the quality of the lead may be poor. It can mechanically damage the paper and be of uneven consistency, which will also affect the quality of tone transfer. The pencil should leave a light, even tone and change its saturation only as a result of your deliberate increase in pressure. Also, remember the quality of pencil sharpening for specific tasks.
Paints
Pay attention to well-known brands that have long established themselves. For each paint, these may be separate brands, so it is better to purchase their products first. Start with a smaller volume so that you understand how high-quality material works. Either way, when you reach the point of professional earnings, you will be working with high-quality paints.
Don’t start your journey with low-quality paints, as they will not work well: the consistency may be uneven, and the saturation may not match the stated example. In the worst cases, the material may flake off. This will affect the learning process and, unfortunately, the acquisition of skills. Therefore, it is better to choose a high-quality product, but in miniature.
Erasers
Choose simple soft white erasers such as KOH-I-NOR (with an elephant) or BUROMAX. This is the best option for artwork because this type of eraser has a high-quality rubber density. It does not cause mechanical damage to the paper, easily removes excess ink, and leaves no marks when used. It will last longer than other similar products.
Do not use colored erasers or erasers made of very hard rubber. They are designed for drawing or office use. They are not recommended for artistic work, as they can easily smudge or damage the surface of the paper. Since we strive for aesthetic perfection in our drawings, it is also worth paying attention to the quality of correction materials.