My 5 Essential Tools for Sketching

Posted: January 12, 2024 | Author: Shari Blaukopf | Filed under: Uncategorized |16 Comments

Aspiring sketchers often ask me about which art supplies to buy. I generally say, buy the best you can afford but don’t let tools be a barrier. Doing is more important than having. I can point to accomplished sketchers who use nothing but a ballpoint (“biro,” if you live in England)! In fact, I’ve done my share of sketches with a ballpoint as well.

When I began sketching, I didn’t invest a ton of money in materials. I bought a small 3” x 5” sketchbook and found an old travel palette in the back of a drawer. Only gradually did I begin buying better materials. First, my sketchbooks got bigger, and then I invested in a good travel brush.

The takeaway from all this? Sable brushes will not make you a better sketcher. Time and practice will.

So where to begin with your starter kit? Below are my recommendations for 5 essential tools you can pack into a small bag and take wherever you go.

Each photo shows the tool I use, alongside a budget-friendly option. I’ve provided links where possible (just click on the names), but I encourage you to support your local art store. I love to drop into art stores in Montreal and wherever I travel, because I get to feel the paper stock and try out the pens and brushes. 

Pen

What I use: Platinum Carbon Desk Pen with Platinum Carbon Ink Cartridges (bottom)

Budget-friendly option: Pitt Artist Pen, size XS or S (top)

If you’ve ever joined an urban sketching event (and if you can, you really should), you’ll see many sketchers clutching a favourite ink pen. It’s hard to resist an expensive fountain pen. They feel so luxurious in the hand!

But my favourite isn’t a splurge at all. I love my Platinum Carbon Desk Pen (extra-fine) because it has an extra-fine flexible nib that instantly responds to pressure by creating a thicker line, producing lovely curls and swirls every time I draw. If you do get one of these, I also recommend permanent Platinum Carbon ink cartridges vs. a bottle of ink and a converter. Cartridges are less prone to disasters, especially when traveling. And just be warned, the free cartridge that comes with this pen contains water-soluble ink, so it will run if you try painting over it.

My budget-friendly option? A Pitt Artist pen, with an XS or S nib. The nib is durable, the ink waterproof, and the pens last quite a long time. Pitt also makes brush pens, which are handy for creating solid black areas on a page.

Pencil

What I use: Muji Resin Mechanical Pencil (top)

Budget-friendly option: Office store mechanical pencil (bottom)

Sometimes I draw directly with an ink pen, but if the perspective is challenging, I might start with some light pencil lines until I get it right.

Years ago, I bought a mechanical pencil with a 0.5 2B lead at the MOMA design store in New York City, and have been using it ever since. It’s made by MUJI, a Japanese chain of shops with outlets in some North American cities. There’s nothing particularly special about it. It just feels good in my hand. Plus, I don’t have to carry a sharpener. (If you’ve taken my online courses, you might have seen me using it.)

But you don’t need a Muji. You’ll find lots of great mechanical pencils at any office supply store. The photo above shows a Zebra DelGuard pencil — also great to draw with!

Brush

What I use: Rosemary R2 Travel Brush (bottom)

Budget-friendly option: Pentel Water Brush (top)

If you’ve seen my newsletter (The Wheelbarrow), where I recently posted photos of my studio, you know I own a wheelbarrow-full of brushes. They get a real workout when I paint large studio watercolours. But for everyday sketching on the go, my kit is much smaller.

A natural hair travel brush, like the Rosemary brush in the photo, is my preference. A #8 brush holds more water and comes to a finer point, so it’s good for both big washes and fine details. If you ever splurge on a good quality travel brush, I’d recommend Rosemary, Escoda or Da Vinci brushes. Just make sure you don’t bend back the hairs when replacing their caps!

And my budget suggestion? A Pentel water brush. Simply fill the reservoir with water, and there’s no need to carry a bottle. It’s great for smaller sketches, and for travel. I use this in airports and (along with water-soluble pencils or pens) in places where wet media isn’t permitted, such as museums.

Sketchbook

What I use: Hahnemuhle 100% Cotton Sketchbook (right)

Budget-friendly option: Speedball Travel Watercolor Journal (left)

Good sketchbook paper is important, so here’s where I don’t skimp. Even my budget-friendly option isn’t all that cheap. But I have been using the Speedball book for years and I can attest to its quality.

Since I use lots of juicy washes in my sketches, I want a paper that doesn’t warp, that maintains colour vibrancy, and that has a bit of texture. Since both options contain acid-free cold-press paper, you’ll get similar performance from both. The difference? The Hahnemuhle book is 100% cotton, whereas the Speedball is probably cellulose paper. (But don’t quote me on that!)

Both options have durable hard covers, come in many sizes, and have strong bindings so you can paint across both pages. And despite their cold-press finish, both papers are smooth enough for my fine line ink pens.

Palette

What I use: FOME Palette I fill myself with tube colours (right)

Budget-friendly option: Cotman Prefilled pan palette (left)

If you’re just starting out, the best choice is a prefilled palette with 8 or 12 pan colours. You’ll find lots options out there, made by reputable manufacturers such as Daniel Smith, Cotman Watercolour (Winsor & Newton’s student-grade brand), Schminke and Sennelier. They all contain good quality pigments, perfect for sketching.

Of course, if you want to invest a little more in an empty palette you fill yourself, you can find many types, and then choose your tube colours. I currently use a FOME palette from Italy.

As for choosing which colours to buy when filling your palette, I’ve just launched My Essential Watercolour Palette, which I think could help. Also this January, my Big Bloomin’ Sale discounts every course by 30%.

Happy sketching!

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