From seasoned artists to beginner sketchers, drawing tools are essential for everyone, as these are what you’ll use to translate your ideas into tangible art. When we say tools, we’re not talking about multi-tool blades; instead, drawing tools can be something as simple as a pencil or something as complex as an advanced digital platform. It’s for this reason that we’ve put together this guide to help you understand the essential drawing tools, their uses, and how to select the right one for your work.
Traditional Drawing Tools
Art has been central to our society for centuries, and this wouldn’t have been made possible without the traditional tools. Even today, these tools remain relevant due to how tactile they are, which is a quality that’s cherished by artists everywhere.
- Pencils – Pencils are arguably the most fundamental tools for drawing, and they come in various grades. These include hard (H) and soft (B) pencils. Hard pencils are perfect for light, precise lines, and soft pencils are great for shading and creating darker tones. Every artist needs a good set of pencils, as they allow for a wide range of expression in sketches and detailed drawings.
- Charcoal – When you want to create bold and dramatic artwork, charcoal is the way to do it. This is because charcoal provides deep blacks and a rich texture that other mediums simply can’t achieve. Despite this, charcoal can be messy, and you’ll need fixatives to prevent smudging (some artists use hairspray, which works great).
- Inks and Pens – Inking tools like fine liners, brush pens, and dip pens are vital for line art and detailed work. This is because they provide unmatched permanence and precision, which is why they’re so popular in comic book art, technical drawings and calligraphy.
- Paper – The type of paper you use affects the final look of your artwork considerably. For instance, heavier, textured papers are perfect for charcoal and pastel work. Meanwhile, smoother papers are better suited to pen and ink. So, when selecting paper, you always need to bear the medium you’re using in mind.
Digital Drawing Tools
The art world has been revolutionized by digital drawing tools, as they provide flexibility and endless possibilities. Since tablets and powerful software are now mainstream, artists are now able to create and edit their work in ways that they’d never thought were possible previously.
Graphic tablets – Digital artists tend to use devices like Wacom tablets or the iPad Pro with Apple Pencil. This is because these tools mimic the experience of drawing on paper, but they have the added benefit of digital manipulation. This includes undoing mistakes and working with layers. As a result, these tools are crucial for artists who want to transition into digital art or enhance their traditional work with digital techniques.
Software – Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate are just some of the programs that artists use to create digital art. Every program has its unique strengths. For instance, Photoshop is great for painting and photo manipulation, whereas Illustrator is ideal for vector graphics, and Procreate offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to excel in sketching and illustration. While learning these programs can seem intimidating, mastering them can open up a number of creative avenues.
Stylus – You can’t create quality digital artwork without a good stylus. The Apple Pencils is one of the best on the market, as it has great pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition, which allows for a more natural drawing experience. Selecting a stylus requires you to consider compatibility with your device, sensitivity, and ergonomics.
So, the art world is rapidly evolving, but it’s still deeply rooted in tradition.
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