What You Really Need to Start
If you’re brand-new to drawing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the supplies out there...pencils, sketchbooks, charcoal, erasers, blending tools, and more. But the truth is: you don’t need a huge haul to start. In fact, with just a few well-chosen items, you can get sketching, shading, and building your skills in no time.
Here are some essentials and great starter products to get you on your way!
The Essentials - What to grab first
- SKETCHBOOK OR DRAWING PAPER
A good sketchbook is your “creative playground.” Choose one with decent paper thickness so your lines don’t smudge easily, and the paper holds up with erasing, shading, etc.
JACKSONS FAVOURITE DRAWING TOOLS:
- GRAPHITE PENCILS (VARIED GRADES)
You want a range of pencil “hardness/softness” — from harder (“H”) pencils for lighter, fine lines to softer (“B”) pencils for darker shading and depth. Common starter grades: 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B.
SHOP GRAPHITE PENCILS:
- ERASERS
Every artist makes mistakes, so a good eraser is essential. A kneaded eraser (soft and mouldable) lets you lift graphite to create highlights or subtle corrections. A standard vinyl/plastic eraser is also useful for erasing heavier marks.
Nothing works better for correcting pencil, colored pencil, pastel or charcoal than Faber-Castell Kneaded Erasers.
They are easily kneadable and will not leave any residue or mess behind.
WHY WE LOVE THEM:
PVC-free, self cleaning, kneadable eraser for lightening artwork. Great with charcoal & soft pastel work.
- PENCIL SHARPENER
A dull pencil won’t give crisp lines. A reliable sharpener ensures your pencils stay ready for fine detail work or shading.
The Blackwing Two Step Pencil Sharpener creates a long point using a two-step sharpening process, first sharpening the wood and then precision sharpening the graphite core. It features a matte rubberized finish for added grip, and the same German steel blades you’ve come to expect.
- CHARCOAL OR ALTERNATE DRAWING MEDIA (Optional)
Graphite pencils are perfect to start, but once you feel comfortable, experimenting with charcoal or other media (e.g. sepia, conté pencil) adds variety. Many beginner lists include charcoal pencils or sticks, pastel pencils, or toned paper as optional extras.
Recommended Starter Products from Jacksons
Step out of your comfort zone and challenge your creativity by experimenting with textures, colours, and tools.
WE LOVE:
- Rhodia Touch Collection Soft Cover Sketchbook — A basic sketchbook to get started drawing anywhere. Essential first step.
- Faber castell Graphite Pencil Tin set of 11 — A great range of pencil grades in one tin, giving you everything from fine line to deep shading. Perfect for experimenting and learning shading techniques.
- Sinoart Easy Grip Round Soft Eraser — A soft eraser that helps correct mistakes and lighten marks - a must for clean sketches.
- Faber-Castell Charcoal Sketch Set — If you want to experiment beyond graphite, charcoal adds dramatic contrast and richness to your drawings.
Pro Tips for Beginners
- Start simple: Use graphite pencils and a sketchbook to build confidence. Once you’re comfortable, introduce charcoal or blending tools.
- Practice shading and gradients with different soft/hard pencils - this helps you learn how pressure, pencil grade, and line work affect the final drawing.
- Use your eraser not just to fix mistakes - a kneaded eraser can be shaped to lift graphite and create highlights (a useful skill in shading, portraits, and still life).
- Don’t rush to get “all the supplies” - master the basics first. A small, well-used set is better than a huge set you never learn to use well.
