If you’re thinking about picking up the drawing pencils soon, you’ll want to have more around than just the cheap #2 pencils and printer paper.
To step up your sketching and dive into your drawing journey, we’ve got you covered with a few options for pencils and the paper you’ll need. We’ve got options for every skill level and budget so if you’re just starting out or you’ve been doing this a long time, you’ll find something you can use!
The Pencils
Faber-Castell Graphite Pencil Set
This set of 6 graphite pencils comes in 6 degrees of hardness. This set includes break-resistant lead so that you’ll be able to keep drawing without worry. This set is only $7.90 and is perfect for the beginner or hobbyist. The included carrying case makes it easy to take these with you to the park or on your travels.
Dowswin Sketch Pencils & Charcoal Drawing Set
If you want to take your sketching up a notch without a huge price bump, we love this set! 18 pencils (including 3 charcoal pencils), paper stumps for blending, 2 erasers, and a break resistant knife are all rolled into this beautiful canvas roll. Reviews call this the perfect starter kit and very durable with the perfect organization. For only $16.90, it’s a steal!
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
If you’re wanting to inject a little color into your drawings, we love this high-quality colored pencil set. We promise – this isn’t your typical Crayola option! These richly saturated pigments are ultra smooth with crack-resistant lead. You can get them in a box from 36, 48, 72 or up to 150 colors! These artist-quality pencils will be your new favorite for drawing or just adult coloring books. They start at $31.40, so they’re a bit pricier than Crayola but well worth the investment.
The Paper
Canson XL Mix Media Pad 7×10
This smaller sketch pad is perfect for taking on the go. Its acid-free paper erases well and blends easily, making it ideal for sketching, drawing and even light washes of ink or watercolor. We love the spiral binding to make it easier to move on from one sketch to another. Reviews call this paper their favorite brand and with a 4.8 rating, the $11.49 price tag is a steal!
Bachmore Top Spiral Bound Sketchbook
Why do we love the top spiral binding on this charcoal-friendly sketchpad? It’s perfect for artists that are right or left handed! The paper inside is smooth and acid-free, and perfect for dry media like charcoal, sketching sticks, and pencils. Hardbound to protect your artwork, this 9”x12” notebook gives you a bit more real estate for your art while not being overly large. It’s $9.99 right now, so don’t miss out!
