Before you begin drawing, first make sure you have the right pencil drawing supplies.

Drawing Pencils

The graphite in most of the pencils that you buy from the store are HB. This graphite works well for writing, and for some of the lighter areas in your drawings. However, it is handy to have softer graphite as well because you do not have to press hard to achieve dark rich tones or markings. Before I used only the HB pencil and all the darker areas in my drawing were quite shiny. Take for example "Amish Girl" in my drawing gallery. Especially around the mouth you will notice that it is quite shiny.

You may be wondering what HB stands for. The H stands for hardness and the B for blackness. The higher the number of hardness (for example 9H) the lighter the marking. And, the higher the number of blackness (for example 9B) the darker the marking. It may be easier to understand when put into a graph.

I use the pencils ranging from 2H to 6B. However, what pencils you will use is all a matter of preference. I know of great pencil drawing artists who like the range from 4H to 4B.

My favorite pencil is a 2B pencil. I have a tendency to draw too lightly if I use other pencils. The 2H is great for lightly outlining your subject and for drawing in the important details before you use a softer (darker) graphite pencil. When it comes to pupils of eyes or dark backgrounds I love the 4B-6B range. I use the softer pencils to smudge. For example I will take a 9B pencil and mark a section of a scrap piece of paper. Then, I rub my totillon over the marked area. Now use it to smudge various parts of your drawing. If you find it too dark use a harder pencil.

Drawing Erasers

There are two different types drawing erasers you can use. There are the harder white and kneaded erasers. I like using both types when I draw. The harder white erasers are great for removing unwanted outlines and general construction lines. I use this eraser mostly during the beginning stages of my drawing and for the hair. If you pull off a little piece of the eraser and rub it over the hair it creates nice texture.

Kneaded Eraser
The kneaded eraser is the most commonly used eraser for pencil drawings. It's soft, sticky surface works well for lifting off graphite from heavily shaded areas without smudging the rest of the drawing. Because it lifts the graphite, you will get better erasing results than with a regular eraser which pushes it further into the paper.

It is handy because, when warmed in the hands, it is very easy to shape. This makes it easier to erase smaller areas or make white lines in your drawing. If you find the one side of the eraser is full of graphite, knead it as needed:)

Tortillion

For shading and smudging I recommend that you use a drawing tortillon. I suggest using them because the oil on your hands can, in the long run, damage your drawing. What also works, and some artist use them all the time, is cotton swabs, or Q-tips. Occasionally I use Q-tips, but I still prefer the tortillon. Try both and see what works well for you.

Paper

If you want to draw something for someone else, and took all the time to draw it, why not use the right paper. Getting the right paper does make a difference. Although the paper that comes in bulk is quite cheap, it is not really meant for drawing. Most of it is too thin and can not handle heavy erasing. The paper the comes in sketchbooks is usually heavier and works better. There are many different kinds of drawing paper that work quite well. Choosing the right kind is mainly a matter of preference. Some people like rough toothy paper, while others prefer a smoother paper with very little grain. I recommend using vellum paper because it is quite heavy and with a nice grain. I find a light grain makes it easier to shade. It seems to absorb the graphite better and it adds a little texture.

Other labels to look for when purchasing your paper:

• Acid Free (Most are acid free after they are manufactured, however will become acidic again over time.)
• Buffered (It is a bonus if it has been buffered, which means that it has undergone some chemical treatments so that it will stay acid free).
• Lignin free If it is lignin free, that means that it has been made from something free of lignin, such as cotton, or has undergone some treatment to make it safe.

Keep trying different name brands until you find one you like. Right now I am using paper that I find is a little too toothy. So, the next time I look of paper I will look for something a little smoother.

Finishing

If you are using a sketch book and would like to keep your work in good condition it is a good idea to purchase a clear spray to protect your work. It prevents the drawings from smudging.
Note: If you can, spray your drawing outside because it has very strong smell!

Make Your own Tortillon

It is quite easy to make your own tortillon. You can also buy them from craft stores or on the web. A tortillon is a fancy word used by artists for a tool used to soften edges and shade in harsh lines.

Follow the steps below to make your own.

• Take a normal sheet of A4 paper, place it landscape on a table, and mark it at about 1" down on the left side and 1" up on the right side. Then draw a line connecting the marks.

1. Cut the paper on the line and start rolling the paper starting from the shorter end and working towards the taller end. Try to roll it as tightly as possible.
2. Now cut the roll in half. Take a nail, piece of wire, knitting needle, or something with a similar shape and push the inside out. Tape the middle. Trim the top as desired.