• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Basic art supplies (drawing)?

S

slackerinabox

Lifer
My wife wanted a drawing table for Christmas (went to school for art, has a corporate job and wants to get back to drawing as a hobby), and I'd like to stock it if possible.

Assuming that whatever I get still won't be enough (and she'll probably enjoy going to the art store herself), let's cap this intro bundle at $50 - mostly so she can start playing with her new toy Christmas night.

For a person who likes to draw cartoony stuff, what would be a good, basic kit?
 
Really just a good pad and good pencils unless she inks, in which case get some Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph Pens. My set has lasted over 20 years.
 
freedomsbeat212 said:
My wife wanted a drawing table for Christmas (went to school for art, has a corporate job and wants to get back to drawing as a hobby), and I'd like to stock it if possible.

Assuming that whatever I get still won't be enough (and she'll probably enjoy going to the art store herself), let's cap this intro bundle at $50 - mostly so she can start playing with her new toy Christmas night.

For a person who likes to draw cartoony stuff, what would be a good, basic kit?
Click to expand...

Colored Pencils - This is a set of 120. They make sets with less, but as you can see these pencils are expensive, as are all art supplies.

A basic drawing kit will be a 18"x24" or larger sketch pad, a drawing pad of equal size, some "soft" drawing pencils, a pencil sharpener, and a rubber eraser.

Colored pencils, markers, paints, markers and Rapidograph pens (and ink!), are all very expensive, as are French curves, triangles, T-squares, rulers, and other basic items.
 
SphinxnihpS said:
Colored Pencils - This is a set of 120. They make sets with less, but as you can see these pencils are expensive, as are all art supplies.

A basic drawing kit will be a 18"x24" or larger sketch pad, a drawing pad of equal size, some "soft" drawing pencils, a pencil sharpener, and a rubber eraser.

Colored pencils, markers, paints, markers and Rapidograph pens (and ink!), are all very expensive, as are French curves, triangles, T-squares, rulers, and other basic items.
Click to expand...

Thanks - much appreciated. Dumb question- since the pens were recommended by both of you guys I think i'll eek it out of my budget. But are the pens MUCH more expensive retail? I'm thinking a $100 gift certificate to an art store would be more fun for her.

The sketchpad and pencils (non colored - yikes, $90+!) are ordered, but I didn't get a sharpener - would a generic electric sharpener work? I remember seeing art pencils with larger diameters, or was that eyeliner? I obviously have no idea what I'm talking about 🙂
 
freedomsbeat212 said:
Thanks - much appreciated. Dumb question- since the pens were recommended by both of you guys I think i'll eek it out of my budget. But are the pens MUCH more expensive retail? I'm thinking a $100 gift certificate to an art store would be more fun for her.

The sketchpad and pencils (non colored - yikes, $90+!) are ordered, but I didn't get a sharpener - would a generic electric sharpener work? I remember seeing art pencils with larger diameters, or was that eyeliner? I obviously have no idea what I'm talking about 🙂
Click to expand...

I DO NOT recommend them. They serve a very specialized purpose, are quite fussy (all ink pens are fussy), a pain to keep clean, and are very expensive. They are really suited to technical drawing where precise line width is necessary.

A regular sharpener will work for most art pencils.
 
Last edited:
SphinxnihpS said:
I DO NOT recommend them. They serve a very specialized purpose, are quite fussy (all ink pens are fussy), a pain to keep clean, and are very expensive. They are really suited to technical drawing where precise line width is necessary.
Click to expand...

Fair enough - I'll let her make that decision then.

As far as pencil sharpeners go - would our standard office sharpener work, or do you need specialty art pencil sharpeners?
 
IMO, you need a GOOD quality sharpener for art pencils.

When I was taking architecture classes, the "normal" sharpener in the classroom ate up pencils. The "lead" in them is very soft and breaks easily. I have a 1980's Boston electric sharpener that I threw in my backpack for sharpening my colored pencils. A good quality hand sharpener is also a good idea.
 
aircooled said:
9x12 sketch pad

Design Ebony 12 pack

Repidiograph pen set

The pens take you over budget, but god damn they are awesome to draw with.
Click to expand...

those are all great items for an artist. and ya, those pens are a dream to draw with. i ended up putting mine away and buying the ultra fine point colored sharpie packs. 18 bucks for 30 colors that last pretty well. but if you want a starter kit, you could always go with a premade kit, like this one http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=fa0809&channelid=

the pencils are nice, easy to sharpen and last a while. all while still remaining cheap. if she gets to the point where she wants to get serious and hang stuff on the wall, she can upgrade if she wants. in the end, she could frame one drawn with these pencils and no one would know she used pencils from an art kit. the sketch pads are all over, get one with a decent texture to it, it holds the graphite well.

edit:

for the complete list of kits at micheals http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayproductlist?categoryid=75507&pageNumber=1 there are other craft stores you could shop to get the same things tho, i end up at michaels because its close to my house.
 
We used Prismacolor in art class in high school. They are awesome, but very very expensive.

I would just go to your local Hobby Lobby, Dick Blick, Michaels Crafts, etc store and get whatever is average priced.
 
hello my name is Simon, and i like to do my drawrings
Click to expand...

I LOLED at my desk.

my wife uses prismacolor everything. From watercolor pencils, to regular colored pencils, to markers and pens. That shit ain't cheap. We did find a spankin new 120 count set in a pawn shop for $25 one day. Holy shit did we buy that. New they cost $130 or so.
 
thanks guys - will add a small set of prismacolors, just to get her started. They're expensive, but a 24 piece set isn't going to break the bank.

Thanks for the Michael's suggestion! I didn't even know they sold good art supplies, I just thought of it as the store that sells things that I don't buy, like bedazzler refills 🙂
 
Just wanted to recommend bristol board or a stiffer paper than what you would find in a basic drawing pad. The stiffer paper won't warp or wrinkle like some cheaper papers when applying lots of pressure with pencils.
 
freedomsbeat212 said:
thanks guys - will add a small set of prismacolors, just to get her started. They're expensive, but a 24 piece set isn't going to break the bank.

Thanks for the Michael's suggestion! I didn't even know they sold good art supplies, I just thought of it as the store that sells things that I don't buy, like bedazzler refills 🙂
Click to expand...

haha! 😀

if you go into the stores they also sell smaller packs of pencils, pens and erasers and such. along with all sizes of sketch pads.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top