Introduction
Every artist has their toolkit—the trusted materials they reach for when inspiration strikes. Over the years, my collection has evolved through trial, error, and countless hours of sketching. Whether you’re an aspiring illustrator or an experienced creative, having the right tools can transform your process and elevate your artwork.
In this post, I’m sharing the 7 essential drawing tools I truly can’t live without. These supplies are not only reliable but also affordable and accessible. They’ve helped me bring ideas to life, refine my technique, and build a consistent drawing habit.
Whether you’re stocking up your art bag or just curious what other artists use, I hope this list inspires your own creative journey.
1. Strathmore Sketchbooks
If I had to choose just one drawing tool to carry with me everywhere, without a doubt, it would be my Strathmore 400 Series Sketchbook. This sketchbook is my go-to for everything from quick warm-up sketches to finished pieces and mixed-media experiments. What sets it apart from other sketchbooks on the market? Here’s why I swear by it:
Why I Love the Strathmore 400 Series Sketchbook:
- Heavyweight, acid-free paper:
The 400 Series features thick, high-quality paper that resists yellowing and bleed-through, which means I can create detailed works and not worry about ruining the next page. Whether I’m working with graphite, charcoal, or even watercolor, the pages hold up beautifully without compromising the integrity of my drawings. - Toothy texture:
The tooth of the paper provides excellent grip for my pencils, allowing me to achieve deep, rich shading without the paper feeling overly rough or too smooth. It’s the perfect middle ground for dry media like graphite and charcoal, but it also works well with light wet media like watercolor or ink washes. - Flexible binding options:
I can choose between spiral-bound for ease of use (especially when I’m sketching on the go) or hardcover for a more durable and polished feel. Both options offer unique advantages depending on the type of work I’m doing—spiral for comfort and ease, hardcover for a sturdy, professional feel.
Strathmore’s reputation for quality is well-deserved. Every page in the 400 Series feels like a canvas waiting to be filled, and it’s a joy to work on. It’s become my reliable partner for everything from daily sketching warmups to more refined and intricate projects. Plus, it’s a great tool for mixed media—allowing me to experiment without worrying about the paper falling apart or absorbing too much pigment.
Tip: Label the front of each sketchbook with the date and purpose to track your progress over time!
Want to see how I use my sketchbook daily? Visit My Creations for sneak peeks inside!
Shop: Strathmore 400 Series Sketchbook (external link)
2. Kimberly General Drawing Pencils
Pencils may seem simple, but trust me—not all pencils are created equal. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of brands, and I keep coming back to the Kimberly General Drawing Pencils by General Pencil Co. They offer a complete range of graphite grades—from the hardest H pencils to the softest B—and that kind of variety is essential when you’re trying to master tone, texture, and control in your artwork.
These pencils have become a staple in my drawing kit for several reasons:
Why I Love Kimberly General Pencils:
- Perfect for value studies, gesture sketches, and detailed shading
Whether I’m warming up with loose gesture work or rendering a portrait, I can switch grades and keep everything cohesive. - They sharpen beautifully without constant breakage
If you’ve ever had your pencil tip snap mid-drawing, you’ll appreciate how durable and smooth these cores are. - Sustainably made in the USA
Supporting an eco-conscious brand that delivers quality makes these pencils even more rewarding to use.
My Go-To Grades:
- 2H: For light sketching and construction lines that erase cleanly
- HB: For defining outlines and starting forms
- 6B–8B: For bold shadows and punchy contrast in high-drama compositions
- 9XXB and 12B: Yes, they exist—and yes, they’re amazing. These ultra-soft leads glide like butter and are fantastic for expressive charcoal-style shading with graphite smoothness.
The consistency of the graphite across the range is what sets these pencils apart. I get smoother transitions, stronger blends, and way fewer smudges—making them ideal when I’m working on polished or portfolio pieces.
Fun exercise: Try drawing the same subject using only a 4B pencil to push your tonal control!
Explore drawing challenges and tutorials on the Blog to practice with your pencils!
3. Kneaded Erasers
This one’s a no-brainer—I never leave home without my kneaded eraser. It’s like the sculptor’s tool of the drawing world, and it’s indispensable for my creative process. Unlike traditional rubber erasers, kneaded erasers have unique properties that make them incredibly versatile.
Why I Love My Kneaded Eraser:
- No eraser crumbs or smudges:
Unlike regular erasers that leave little bits of debris behind, kneaded erasers don’t create crumbs, meaning I can keep my work surface neat and clean. This is especially helpful when I’m working on delicate pieces where tiny specs could mess up the detail. - Can be shaped to fit any need:
A kneaded eraser is incredibly moldable. Whether I need to lift small details or soften a large area of tone, I can shape it to fit whatever task is at hand. From erasing tiny highlights in an eye to gently lightening an entire section of a drawing, it’s versatile enough to tackle any area. - Long-lasting and self-cleaning:
One of my favorite features is that kneaded erasers are self-cleaning. Simply stretch and fold the eraser, and it’ll “reset” itself, picking up graphite and dust in the process. This means you can use the same eraser for a long time without worrying about it breaking down or losing effectiveness.
My Favorite Uses for Kneaded Erasers:
- Highlights in graphite portraits:
When I’m working on portraits, especially in graphite, I use my kneaded eraser to pull out highlights from the paper. It lifts graphite effortlessly, allowing me to create bright, realistic highlights in areas like the eyes, nose, and cheekbones. - Lifting pigment:
If I’ve gone too dark in an area (especially with softer pencils like 6B or 8B), I can use the kneaded eraser to lighten it without disturbing the surrounding tones. It’s perfect for creating gradients and controlling the overall balance of light and dark. - Softening lines:
Before I ink a page, I often use the kneaded eraser to soften any pencil lines. It’s a great way to prepare a sketch for inking, as it lets me maintain the outline while smoothing out unwanted marks.
Pro tip: Keep two kneaded erasers—one for light lifting, one for deep erasing—so you don’t mix dirty graphite into clean areas.
4. High-Quality Erasers
While kneaded erasers are great for subtlety, sometimes you need precision. I use both the Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser and the Tombow Mono Zero:
- Staedtler is perfect for large areas and doesn’t tear paper.
- Tombow has a pen-style tip for ultra-fine detail corrections.
These erasers help me clean up sketches before inking or when preparing digital scans. I love how clean the paper looks afterward—no ghost marks or residue.
Tip: Use your erasers sparingly to preserve your paper’s tooth!
Want more drawing tool recommendations? Head to the About Me page to see what’s in my full art kit.
5. 0.3mm Mechanical Pencils
While traditional pencils are excellent for expressive strokes and shading, nothing beats the precision of a 0.3mm mechanical pencil when I need clean, consistent lines. These ultra-fine pencils are my go-to for any drawing that requires control, symmetry, or technical detail.
I personally love the 0.3mm pencil for several reasons:
- Line consistency: The fine point gives me the same crisp line every time, which is ideal when I’m working on comic layouts, illustrations, or clean sketches that I plan to ink later.
- No sharpening needed: I can work for hours without stopping to sharpen my pencil, which keeps me in the creative flow.
- Perfect for layering: The lighter line weight lets me build up details gradually without overworking the page, which is especially helpful in architectural sketches or facial proportions.
I use my 0.3mm pencil for:
- Outlining architectural and mechanical subjects
- Clean line art before scanning for digital edits
- Quick thumbnails, layout blocking, and perspective guides
Because of its fine tip, it can be a bit fragile—but with the right technique, it becomes an essential part of your drawing toolkit.
3 Tips to Prevent Breaking 0.3mm Leads:
1. Use a Soft Touch
Let the pencil glide across the paper. Pressing too hard causes the thin lead to snap. Think of sketching as guiding the pencil, not forcing it.
2. Choose the Right Lead Hardness
Opt for HB or H leads in your 0.3mm pencil. Softer leads (like 2B or 4B) are more prone to breakage in such a thin format. Harder leads hold up better and maintain a sharp edge longer.
3. Keep the Lead Short
Don’t click out too much lead! Keep just enough visible to draw—about 1-2 mm. The longer the exposed lead, the more likely it is to snap under pressure or sudden movement.
Bonus Tip: Invest in a lead holder with a soft-touch grip to reduce hand fatigue and maintain better control, especially during long sessions.
Bonus: Invest in a lead holder with soft-touch grip to reduce hand fatigue!
6. Blending Stumps
Shading tools are often underrated, but I consider them indispensable for bringing softness, realism, and depth to my drawings. Blending stumps—also known as tortillons—are tightly rolled paper tools that make it easy to control where and how graphite, charcoal, or pastel pigment is smoothed across the page. I always keep a variety of blending tools in my kit because they allow me to transition between hard lines and soft gradients effortlessly. Here’s how I typically use them:
- Smoothing graphite in skin tones to create subtle shading for portraits
- Softening shadows in clothing folds for a more natural fabric flow
- Blending charcoal, pastels, and even colored pencils for dreamy transitions
I use different sizes for different tasks—larger stumps are great for backgrounds and wide shadows, while smaller tips are perfect for delicate areas like under the eyes, along the nose bridge, or beneath lips.
But I don’t stop at just blending stumps. Here are some of my other favorite blending tools and how I use them:
Check out my free tutorials in the Blog section for more on blending techniques.
My Go-To Alternatives for Blending:
- Chamois cloth: This soft, flexible leather is perfect for broad, velvety blends in charcoal drawings. I often use it to tone an entire background or smooth out heavy pencil shading on large areas.
- Flat paintbrush: A dry, flat paintbrush is great for softening edges without lifting too much pigment. It’s a subtle way to blur shadows while maintaining form, especially around facial features or hair.
- My finger: Yes—old school, but effective. For ultra-smooth shading and control, I sometimes use my fingertip. Just remember to wash your hands frequently to avoid oils or smudges!
The key is to experiment with different tools to find which suits your technique. Each one gives a unique texture and level of control—perfect for layering dimension into your work.
Need a walkthrough? Check out my free tutorials in the Blog section.
7. A Reliable Pencil Sharpener
Last but not least: a great drawing tool is only as good as its edge. I rely on a reliable sharpener to keep my pencils perfect for:
- Line consistency
- Clean shading
- Reducing waste
Look for sharpeners with dual holes (for standard and jumbo pencils), a shavings reservoir, and stainless steel blades. My current favorite is the Faber-Castell Grip Trio—compact, efficient, and travel-ready.
Pro tip: Rotate the pencil gently as you sharpen to avoid breaking soft graphite cores.
Curious about my sketching process? Visit the Contact Me page to request a custom tutorial or lesson.
My Go-To Drawing Kit Summary
Let’s recap the 7 must-have tools:
- Strathmore Sketchbooks – For durable, high-quality drawing surfaces.
- Kimberly General Drawing Pencils – A full range of graphite control.
- Kneaded Erasers – Precise, clean lifting of graphite.
- High-Quality Erasers – For precision corrections.
- 0.3mm Mechanical Pencils – For clean, consistent linework.
- Blending Stumps – Perfect shading and texture transitions.
- Reliable Pencil Sharpener – Keep everything sharp and clean.
Each of these tools plays a unique role in how I create—and I believe they can do the same for you. If you want to go through my drawing bag comment below!
Explore More on Create & Craft Design
If you found this helpful, there’s plenty more to discover:
- My Creations: See how these tools show up in my final pieces.
- Blog: Tutorials, product reviews, and creative insights.
- About Me: Learn about my background, influences, and style.
- Contact Me: Reach out for commissions or collaborations.
- Portfolio: See the tools in action.
Final Thoughts
Art isn’t about having the most tools—it’s about knowing how to use the right ones effectively. The materials listed above have helped me grow as an artist and find joy in every sketch, study, and final piece.
Whether you’re exploring your style or refining your workflow, I encourage you to try out these tools and see how they enhance your creative journey.
Let’s Connect!
Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive tips, freebies, and updates.
Share this post with your creative community.
Comment below—What drawing tools do YOU swear by?
Follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for daily sketchbook inspiration.