Realistic Drawing Supplies and Techniques: A Guide

Have you ever watched someone draw, and been amazed by the finesse of every mark that they made on their paper? In a single pencil stroke their line would change from thick to thin, and from dark to light, and every mark was made thoughtfully and purposefully.

This ability to draw accurately, and with a polish that makes the process look smooth and elegant, is what every draftsperson strives for. To achieve this, it's essential for us to become so familiar and comfortable with our drawing materials that they feel like an extension of our arm, instead of drawing tools that we use. (Seriously. It should feel strange when we aren't holding a pencil or drawing tool!)

Learning about your drawing supplies and how to prepare them will make the drawing process much easier and more enjoyable.

In the articles below, I'll introduce you mainly to the drawing supplies that I use personally, in the tutorials on this website and in my programs, and that I generally recommend for successful drawing.

Despite the enormous selection of drawing supplies available to you, you really don't need many!

Really, all you need to draw is a pencil and paper (though an eraser couldn't hurt, too). Let's add a few things to that list, but keep it simple.

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Drawing Supplies for Realistic Drawing

What drawing pencils and paper should you use for realistic drawing?

The right pencils depend on your skill level, the value range and effects you want to create, and personal preference. In the Atelier, students start with graphite pencils for their smoothness and control, before exploring charcoal for its richer dark values.

For smooth, realistic drawing we choose a drawing paper with a smooth texture to the touch — it's infinitely easier to draw smooth values and gradations on a smooth surface! We also make sure that the paper is at least medium-weight, so that we can draw in layers, and erase safely.

For specific drawing pencil and paper recommendations, refer to the in-depth pages below:

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Realistic Drawing Techniques to Start With

Once you have your materials and have set up your drawing space (see this video on 3 Keys to a Successful Drawing Studio Setup — it matters more than you'd think!), there are a few core techniques to learn first.

The fundamentals are: how to hold and control your drawing pencil, how to prepare it for realistic drawing (that is, how to sharpen it), and how to use a kneaded eraser — which you'll reach for just as often as your pencil. Learn all of these in the three video lessons below:

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Toned Paper Drawing Techniques

Drawing on toned or black paper is a powerful way to work — and a favorite of many realistic artists. Instead of building every value up from white paper, you start from a mid-tone or dark surface, adding the light values (with white pencils or chalk), the dark values, or both. It's an especially effective approach for dramatic lighting, glowing highlights, and subjects like glass, metal, and light itself.

The pages below cover how to make your own toned paper, how to work with white pencils, and how to apply these techniques to specific subjects:

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