Sandra's Favorite Drawing Supplies + Sandra's Tips for an Ergonomic Drawing Studio
Scroll down to order the basic drawing supplies Sandra recommends.
Sandra's Favorite BASIC Drawing Supplies
Graphite Pencils
1-Sandra's Favorite Graphite Pencils - 2H-9B
I like these European pencils because this set has a wide range of densities. You can render precise details with the hard leads or shade dark areas quickly.with the soft leads.
2-Drawing Art kneaded Erasers, Large size Grey - 4 Pack
Use this to erase when you need a soft edge next to your erasure mark. This is also good for lifting your values is you just need to make your marks a bit lighter.
This eraser that is extremely kneadable and absorbent and I like keeping it in the plastic box so it keeps the eraser more pliable.
3-Sandra's Favorite Goat Hair Dust Brush
I use these brushes to keep wax pencil crumbs from becoming embedded in my paper. I brush with this constantly, to keep the paper clean. I keep the big one in studio and the smaller one in my "art to go" bag.
4-Multi-Hole Pencil Sharpener
I like a vertical electric sharpener because it's a natural movement to lift from drawing to sharpening.
I chose this one because it's 6 different sized holes accommodate the various sized wood casing on different pencil brands.
Buy Multi-Hole Sharpener here
4-Sandra's Favorite Electric Pencil Sharpener (6"x4")
This single hole sharpener features:
- Extra large easy-to-empty transparent shavings receptacle that prohibits operation if removed
- Heavy-duty motor, helical steel blade, an auto pencil stop for a perfect tip every time.
- It also includes non-skid rubber pads for stable operation.
Optional - If you like to draw on the go, you will need this.
Sandra's Favorite Battery Sharpener
When I travel, I like to take this sharpener with me as I don't need a power outlet to use it.
5-Sandra's Favorite Electric Eraser
This is the only tool that will erase colored pencil without leaving a slurry of wax and damaging the tooth of the paper. Be sure to buy the box of refills, too.
Paper for Graphite Drawing
6-Sandra's Favorite Practice Tablet
Strathmore 400 Series Recycled Drawing Pad, Medium Surface 11"x 14" Wire Bound, 24 Sheets"
Buy this when you are ready to create Performance Drawings that you will frame.
(This is the only paper that Sandra uses for drawing but you can practice in the less expensive tablet listed above.)
Sandra's Favorite Drawing Paper:
-
2-Ply Bristol
-
Plate Surface, acid free
-
11" x 14" Tape Bound
-
15 Sheets per Pad
This is the only paper I ever use for drawing because the surface is so smooth that it's much easier to achieve Realism.
Of course this is more expensive than practice paper, so if you want to save a bit, you can practice on my practice tablet first and then draw your performance drawings on this smooth surface.
NOTE: Your pencils will perform differently on this paper... they glide like butter and it's so easy to blend!
OPTIONAL Drawing Supplies
Precision Tip Pen-Style Eraser with Refill Pack
- Value pack includes the Tombow MONO Zero Eraser, Round and 2 Eraser Refills
Use this to draw precise white lines into the graphite powder.
- Pen-style, precision tip eraser
- Round; 2.3mm Diameter
- Will not damage paper
- Refillable
Woodless Pencil Set - 11 Pieces with Eraser & Sharpener, Water Soluble Graphite too
Render large areas quickly & creating swooping textures such as those in landscapes.
The (blue cased) water soluble graphite pencil is great for loose backgrounds before you put in tighter details with woodless graphite.
Caution - No wood casing so they are fragile. Handle with care; store in this protective tin.
Contains:
- Kneaded eraser
- Pencil Protector
- 5 Woodless Graphite pencils from HB - 6B
- Water soluble graphite pencil
- Pencil extender for when your pencils get short
- Pencil sharpener
Buy woodless pencil set
Graphite Powder
Powdered graphite is the same graphite that pencil leads are made of, only ground into fine powder. You can “paint” it on paper with brushes to make watercolor-like “wash” effects, smooth textures, and cloudy backgrounds. Ir's a good way to cover a large area such as clouds, water, foliage etc.
You can achieve varied effects with these tools (also sold below)
- Shape your kneaded eraser to a point and lift out white streaks.
- Use a palette knife with a sponge to get into tight edges.
- Use brushes to spread the graphite over large areas.
- Use cotton balls or Qtips to push it around.
Caution: If you breathe on it or blow on it, it goes everywhere!
Keep a terry cloth wet washcloth handy to keep your hands clean so you don't smudge it all over your drawing.
Buy graphite powder
Add a pop of color to your black and white renderings:
- CRETACOLOR Graphite Lead Set: 6 color graphite set allows you to add color accents here and there, just like the Old Masters.
- Use 6 OIL BASED colored pencils to add pops of color. Oil pencils create dense, shiny, smudge-proof strokes.
- The last 2 buttons give you two options for toned paper- Choose Tan or Grey or experiment with both.
Chalk Sticks & Woodless Pencils
4 ways to Use Old Masters' Earth Tone Palette
Old Masters used sepia tones for a small accents so it doesn't make sense to buy a whole jar of each color.
Instead:
- Use a piece of sandpaper to shave off a small amount of colored powder from an art stick.
- Or draw with the sticks - they are great for filling in a large area quickly, without even turning them into powder. (A less messy option.)
- Use the sharp edge of a stick to create detail.
- Use a sharpened woodless pencil for fine detail.
Six pencil set contains; One white chalk, One 4B graphite, One black compressed charcoal, One dark brown one dark sepia & One sanguine.
Buy Old Masters' Earth Tones: 8 Chalk Sticks Buy Old Masters' Earth Tones: 6 Woodless Pencils
Makeup Brush Set - 5 sizes & shapes you can use for graphite powder drawings.
Includes:
- 1 Angled Foundation Brush
- 1 Blurring Brush
- 1 Define Crease Brush
- 1 Angled Liner Brush
- 1 Full Blush Brush
- 1 Storage Tray
Mixed Pack of Palette Knives & Covers
- PACK - 4 Sofft Knives & 8 Sponge Covers – Mixed Shapes - Round, Flat, Oval and Point – Nos. 1-4. For painting, drawing and mixed media. Knife size - 6.7 x 0.4" (170 x 10mm). Sponge Cover size - 1 x 0.5" (26 x 13mm)
- PAINTING KNIVES: Like a cross between brush & palette knife, this flexible, durable plastic mimics wooden handle knives.
- MICROPORE SPONGE KNIFE COVERS: Holds and releases just the right amount of color. (Can also be used with water-based artist’s media).
- UNIQUE SHAPES - Allows a wide range of mark making, with varied pressure.
33 Piece Blending Set
- Blending Stumps
- Tortillions Set
- Art Blenders
- Sandpaper: Pencil Sharpener & Powder Creating Tool
- Pencil Extension Tool
- Drawing Kneaded Eraser
- Sponge
- Drawing Tool Set
Sandra's Favorite Accessories for Her Drawing Studio
Drawing Lapdesk
Oversized Memory Foam Lap Desk for drawing or laptops; Fits Computers Up to 20 Inches
I often draw in my comfy recliner using this as a laptop desk for my drawing. (I also use it for my remote keyboard for my big screen computer.
Sandra's Favorite Drawing Board Cover
I use this thin sheet to cover a clipboard so that my pencil has a soft surface to draw on. The smallest size available is 18x24 but you can trim it down with scissors or a mat knife. I draw on a custom-made clipboard that is 11x17.
Round Carousel - 6 compartments for storing your pencils & other art stuff
I like to store my pencils in a carousel that I can spin it to find the right pencil. I also keep my pens and markers and brushes in there too.
- ROTATING TRAY: A spinning base makes it easy to grab supplies. Multiple compartments and a label display make it easy to stay organized and free up space on your desk.
- PREMIUM MATERIALS: Fine quality galvanized metal creates a long-lasting and durable storage solution.
Sandra's Favorite Archival Sleeves for Storing Art
I keep my art work in a sturdy archival sleeve so that bugs can't get at it. This rigid sleeve keeps my paper from wrinkling when I transport my drawing around while I'm working on it. I also store my photo references in the same sleeve, so I don't have to find them when I'm ready to draw.
Leather Pencil Case
This beautifully handcrafted zippered pouch is made to last - Your elegant, practical pencil case has a side pocket and keyring - 8 x 4 inches
6 Pencil Pouches: Plastic Pencil Cases Zipper Mesh Pouch Bag
I used these six cases to organize my pencils by color families so that when I travel, I can easily grab the right colors. They fit compactly in my travel case or suitcase.
Wax Free Transfer Paper
Wax free transfer paper - Use this to transfer your line drawing to your colored pencil paper.
Packet contains transfer paper in the following colors:
- Graphite
- White
- Yellow
- Blue
- Red
Use this to create your own Grid Kit - Transparency Film for Plain Paper Copier, (without stripe), 100 Sheets/Pack
Using a grid, can dramatically improve your drawing accuracy and these are the see through sheets I use to make my famous grid kit. You can copy images directly on these transparencies using a copy machine. (Works with most office copiers.) Value Pack –100 sheets, allowing you to make several copies of your grid kit. Students like to have multiple grids so they can leave a grid on several projects
I save you gobs of time and money by pretesting for you!
It takes years of expensive, agonizing experiments to find the right tools and techniques, but you don't have to do that.
As Executive Director of the International Colored Pencil Symposium for 11 years, I brought in 25-30 top colored pencil Masters to reveal their methods and materials, so I know all the Masters' secret tools.
As editor for Art Materials Today and Michael's Arts & Crafts Magazine, and it was my job to test supplies to find the best use of pencils, papers, and accessories.
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- I will be posting video demos re how to use these supplies and updating constantly as I find new cool stuff. As things are discontinued, I will find new tools for you.
Your support allows me to keep testing to save you time and money!
"I am so excited - I just received Sandra's suggested pencil sharpener and battery operated eraser. I am waiting for the drawing mat to arrive. I told my husband I want the electric light table for my birthday. Loving this... so much. Thank you, Sandra Angelo!"
Donna McGue
Colored Pencil College Apprentice
"Sandra's knowledge of colored pencil is extensive. She is a Master in colored pencil. In less than 6 months, I've learned more from her than I would have ever on my own or from books. She showed me more in the world of colored pencil than I would have thought possible! My drawings improved 100000% just by using her methods and materials and following her recipes for success."
