Some people would say that an artist is only as good as the tools he/she uses.... an artists kit is like a world in and of it's self..... they are built.....created even....
I thought I'd let people get a peek inside of mine....
I've had this tackle box since I was 9 years old (my Uncle Donzer gave me this ). I used this all through out my art school years.... I've pretty much carried this around for a long time.... I treat it like my own personal treasure chest..... It holds a lot of the tools I use to draw in my sketchbooks, sketchpads, making my screens and print blocks.....
Graphite Sticks: I love these better than regular pencils because you get a gesture a lot quicker...and being able to shade a lot faster..... and you don't have to sharpen them.... you just change the angle that you're holding it....
Charcoal Sticks: Charcoal is not my favorite to use.... it has a chalky texture that makes me prefer graphite, but it's a cheaper alternative to using graphite and instead of using mineral spirits to blend and "paint" with... You can use a chamois cloth to blend or you can use water....
Tortillon: Paper blenders that you can use with charcoal, graphite and pastels to create subtle tones.
Blending Stumps: These are a lot more sturdy than totillon blenders..... I like using these more with graphite because I can put more pressure on them.....
Erasers: I have so many types..... typical pink erasers that you can use to erase, add highlights etc.... kneaded erasers... you can mold these in to whatever shape you need for highlighting... I prefer this with graphite.....Plastic erasers... I use these mostly for clean up or correction as I go.... Gum Erasers... I use these at the very end of drawings to clean up all of the residue that I don't want....
Sharpeners: I go through a lot of these.... because I lose them more often than not.....The large one has 2 types of sharpeners: wide and narrow..... the bullet shaped one is the one I generally carry around in my bag because it doesn't take up much space..... and the smallest one is a classic sharpener that you can get with any starter set.... I only use this one at home because there is no container to catch the shavings....
Prismacolor Color Pencils: These are soft core pencils that I use for sketching..... These are light and muted colors that I can layer and correct without letting me use an eraser.... I have perfectionist issues so when I don't allow myself to have an eraser.... I can just correct with layering darker colors as I go...
Fine Point Sharpie Pens: I use these for outlining or if I want to practice with pen and ink drawing....
Rapidograph Pens: These are what I use for technical drawings, pen and ink renderings and more... they come with different size tips.... these are super expensive... but you can get different color inks to put in the reservoir.... but they are high maintenance.... you have to make sure you clean them or the ink will dry and clog the tips.....
Pigma Micron Pens: these are versatile pens.... use them for illustration, hand lettering, and more.... they come in colors and plain black packs.... with different size tips.... these are a cheaper alternative to the rapidograph pens....
Pastel Pencils: These I use if I want to add color to a monochromatic drawing....
Charcoal Pencils: These come in different grades from the softest to the hardest.... I prefer these to the sticks because I don't actually have to touch the charcoal itself..... if I'm going to work in charcoal I prefer these....
Water-Soluble Graphite Sticks and Pencils: I love these for sketching because you can use a brush and water to blend.... creating a monochromatic water color....
Graphite Pencils in H and B: graphite pencils come in grades from you harder H pencils that you can use for technical drawing, line work and detailing to the softer B pencils that you can use for layering, shading and blending.... I have both.... although I prefer the B pencils
Basic Carving tools: I use these when I create my wood blocks... using them for the detailing.... I need some with the awesome ergonomic handles, but these are good if you're just starting out.... and yes they are super sharp....
Gouges: I use these when I carve my wood blocks... I can take out huge chunks at a time when I use these with a hammer.... I have beautiful scars on my hands from a good slip with these.....these are very sharp....
Linocut tools: These are simple lino cut multi tip tools..... I use these on my lino blocks or moo blocks to carve out....
Ebony Pencils: I use these to get the blackest black and I use these for layouts..... most awesome pencils ever.... I go through these a lot....
Watercolors: This palette was my favorite investment.....you can tell that it's well-loved..... I use these in my sketchbooks and when I do large multimedia drawings...... these with Arches Watercolor papers are Amazeballs.....
Prismacolor Soft Core Pencils and Verithin Pencils: I love Prismacolor color pencils..... these are an investment...... the pigment quality is amazing and the textures that you can get from both of these are ideal for drawings.... these are super versatile.... invest in the blenders and it's another way to "paint"...
Watercolor Pencils: these are not my favorite watercolor pencils, but these are great if you're just starting out these are pretty awesome..... you get all of the familiarity of color pencils, but add water and you can do some awesome line and wash drawings...
Building a kit is not cheap.... I've built mine over time... and these are the tools I keep I like to have around at all times...... Each tool holds different possibilities and endless ones at that....
I do have other kits, but this is my main one....
My Tips for Building a Kit:
1) Start with the basics: Graphite and Charcoal products, Erasers, Blenders, Chamois....
2) As you build your skills.... add on to your kit...: work your way up to different tools....
3) Go back to what you know from childhood..... Endless Possibilities......
Heather
