So you want to start doing artwork - supplies

In the beginning, I struggled with figuring out the things that I needed to be able to do artwork.  I went through many phases of buying materials that others suggested and sometimes it just came up short.  I muddled through using mostly student grade, because that is what I could afford at the time and recently began buying the professional grade, just less of it.   This has been a boon and if there is one suggestion I will make, always buy the best, even if it means buying fewer.  It will save you fighting with the tools.  

So since I have had this experience, I thought putting down the information for others might be helpful.  So here is my list.  There is the qualifier that everyone's list will be different and you really do have to figure out what works for YOU.  



Supplies:

1. Ames Lettering guide - this will help with the ruling for calligraphy
2. T square
3. Straight edge - two kinds, one should be a cork backed metal ruler, the other should be a plastic see through.
   
4. Pencils – some prefer mechanical pencils, some prefer #2 pencils, drawing pencils.  I like mechanical pencils and that is what I use, but again, use what works for you.
   
5. Black Ink – recommendation Higgins Eternal, although I am trying out a bunch of different ones
   
6. 3 good brushes in different sizes.  I prefer 00, 02, 03, natural hair preferred.
   
7. 3 older brushes for mixing (the best are often labeled "one stroke")
   
8. White plastic eraser
   
9. Crow quill pen
10. Dip Pen handles for variety of nibs and variety of nibs (2-3).  I have had very good luck with Mitchell nibs.
    
11. In place of dip pen, the best calligraphy pen you can buy.  I suggest Rotring Art Pen.
    
12. Color wheel
13. Eye droppers (2)
14. Windsor Newton or Holbein gouache watercolors – at least the primary and secondary colors.  If you are just starting out buy Ultramarine, Cadmium red purple, ivory black, permanent white, burnt umber, permanent green.
    
15. Paint tray
16. Small glass jars for water for adding to paint and for rinsing brushes
17. Papertowels, or rags
    
18. Toothbrush to clean paint trays
19. Blue painters tape
20. Sandpaper
21. Scissors
22. Chinese fan brush to use in brushing off eraser leavings
23. X-acto knife
24. Drawing pads
25. Scrap paper

If you want to do some gold leaf, you will want the following:

1. Gold leaf (once you begin gold leaf)
2. dog tooth burnisher
3. glassine
4. tweezers
5. miniatum or miniatum ink
   

Paper – the best that you can afford – sheets of Hot press are smoother, sheets of cold press are rougher surface.   At least 140 lb (such as Strathmore 400 series – which is student grade).   Your best bet is Pergamenta.   You should try out different papers to see which one you like best.

For drawing – conte crayons, pencils, chalk, charcoal

And where do you get all these things?

Online:  Paper Ink and Arts  http://www.paperinkarts.com

Scribblers  www.scribblers.co.uk

John Neal Books   http://www.johnnealbooks.com

Jerry’s Artarama     http://www.jerrysartarama.com

Dick Blick    http://www.dickblick.com

 I also shop at Utrecht art stores in person because sometimes you want to touch and see what you are buying.



Ask questions if something isn't clear and I can help direct you to the right place.  Happy arting.

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