6 Essentials to Prepare for Your Sketching Project

Art is art, no matter if you sketch, doodle or paint. But sketching is a fantastic hobby for artists who love to create and practice mindfulness. It helps you focus on the present moment, paying attention to details as you draw and observe. It brings you into the here and now.

If sketching is your passion too, there is a bit more to prepare than just a paper and pencil. First, you need a good sketching book. You can search for a sketchpad online and pick one from the available options. Next, choose your drawing medium and don’t forget a few extra tools like rulers, erasers, blending tools and fixative sprays to help finish off your work.

Essential Tools for Sketching

Sketching Pads

While you will need a few more tools than just paper if you want to do a good job, the sketchbook is the foundation of a good project. The paper can make a real difference in how your drawings turn out. To create smooth lines and get the best out of your sketch, search for a sketchpad online and check all the available options to see which one can best give you the results you want.

As a general guidance, a good sketchbook should be A4 with paper thick enough to handle pencil strokes, charcoal and ink without tearing easily, but not so thick that it becomes bulky. It should be lightweight enough so that you can carry it around with ease. Also, there isn’t a rule that says you need to stick to A4. Sketchpads come in different sizes, so, take your time to find what works best for you.

But if you’re still unsure about which size to choose, one helpful tip is to consider how large you want your drawings to be. If you need more space and love working on finer details, A4 is a great option to start with. Also, take a look at the number of pages in the art pad. For instance, pads with 20 pages or more will give you plenty of room for doing a lot of practice.

Another thing to look for is the paper’s texture. While paper with a smooth and fine texture will let your pencil glide easily, it should still provide enough grip for your drawings. Fine texture helps your drawings work well with it.

The good news is that plenty of great options are available at affordable prices, which makes the selection process much easier. That means you won’t have to spend a fortune on a sketchpad that will eventually run out of pages. This is a win-win, especially for beginners and artists on a budget.

Pencils, Crayon, Ink or Charcoal

The tools you use for drawing will also play a big part in how your sketches turn out. Pencils are the most common ones because they are easy to use and can be erased if you make a mistake. By simply adjusting the pressure of your strokes, you can control how light or dark you want your lines to be.

Crayons are also fun tools to draw with as they add a pop of colour and make your drawings a bit more cheerful. If you want to create bold and strong lines that don’t smudge, ink is a great way to achieve that. As for charcoal, it’s perfect for shading and making drawings look more realistic. The best thing about these drawing mediums is that you don’t need to stick to just one of them. You can mix and use them interchangeably to create something new and fun.

Erasers and Sharpeners

Even the best artists can make mistakes when drawing. That’s why it’s recommended to always have an eraser with you. You can use it to remove large and small mistakes and fix tiny details. Many artists use kneaded erases which can clean up pencil marks without the risk of smudging.

If you use pencils and crayons for your drawings, you will also need a sharpener. Pencils can quickly become dull so you might need to sharpen the tip if you want to use every bit of it.

Ruler

Rulers can be of extra help for those who love or need to draw straight lines, sketch a house, a box or anything with sharp edges. They help your drawings look neat and more professional which is why they are a must for professional sketchers. Aside from drawing perfectly straight lines, a ruler can help you measure so you can ensure that both sides of your sketch are the same size.

Additional Tools: Blending Stumps or Tortillions

Instead of using your finger to smudge and blend, you have blending stumps and tortillons for that. A blending stump is thicker and perfect for smudging large areas while a tortillon is thinner and great for blending smaller details. Use sandpaper to rub the clean and remove stains from pencils and other drawing materials.

Fixative Spray

To finish off, go over your sketch with a fixative spray. It helps set your drawings in place and protect them from smudging. Fixative sprays keep your sketch safe, and looking fresh and clean for a long time.