Discover Artist’s Weblog
For anyone who may be interested in the tools of the trade that I used to do my drawings, I hope that the information that I have written here will be helpful to you. The paper that I use for graphite pencil drawing and color pencil drawing are different. As my interest in color pencil drawing grew, I discovered a lot of information on you-tube, where other artists revealed the products they use. I advise you to do the same.
Fabriano Artistico Extra White, Hot Pressed [creates a smooth surface] paper and is 100% cotton and acid free. This paper is manufactured in Italy and is suitable for many types of media. It is ideal for watercolor, tempera, gouache, acrylic, ink, and charcoal. I found it wonderful for graphite pencil drawing. It is sturdy and forgiving should you need to correct mistakes. This paper is definitely my ideal paper for graphite pencil drawing. I’ve just started a color pencil drawing on this paper. Anxious to see how well it takes the color from pencil.
Legion Stonehenge Paper is made of 100% cotton and is acid free. It is cold pressed meaning there is slight texture to the surface of the paper. I use white for my drawings but it come is multiple colors in pads of 15 sheets. Legion also makes Kraft drawing paper. This paper is made in the U.S.A. and has provided stiff competition for the Fabriano paper made in Italy.
Acid free paper is important because: “It prevents the deterioration of documents and artwork over time by eliminating acidic components that can cause yellowing, brittleness, and fading.” It ensures the longevity of artwork.
The weight is 250 gsm [90 lbs]. It is a very sturdy paper & forgiving of mistakes.
Other papers I’ve used for graphite drawing are ARCHES, specifically recommended for pencil, pastels, charcoal, crayon and felt tip pens.
The drawing on the right was done on Arches Extra White paper.
By searching the Internet for art materials that other artist use, I discovered the following: Staedtler Mars Lumograph graphite pencils. I have been searching for a drawing pencil that would give me very dark shades of gray and black. Lumograph B10, B11, and B12 pencils do the trick. I love them. The drawing to the right of a Border Collie shows the dramatic effect I was able to create with these pencils. Both portraits were done on Fabriano Artistico Extra White paper.
Color Pencil Process
This process is slow. Very, Very, slow. The pencils I use are Faber-Castell Polychromos and the paper is Legion Stonehenge. These pencils are made in Germany and are of the highest quality. Faber-Castell encloses a small pamphlet with photo instruction on how to use these pencils in a variety of ways. It is important to keep your pencils very sharp while drawing on this paper. For me, an electric pencil sharpener is perfect.
Once an outline of a drawing is done the fun begins. Colors need to be applied in various degrees of light and dark to create form and shadow. The process begins by placing a tiny dot, with a light pressured circular motion with a sharp pencil point, on the paper. Specifically Legion Stonehenge Paper. It is dot after dot, after dot, placed next to each other which begins to take shape in the form of a picture. Then again, by placing more dots over specific areas of the drawing to reveal hightlights, contours, depth and shadow. The four drawings shown below give you an idea of the result.
While drawing there are bound to be mistakes. Areas you decided you didn’t want after all, so, you begin to make changes. The photographs shown below are a few of the tools you can use to erase, both small and large areas of your drawing.
AFMAT electric eraser comes with a brush, two packages of erasers in sizes small and large plus a charging cord. This eraser is very light weight and easy to hold. For me, it’s perfect.
Derwent battery operated eraser, when initially purchased comes with eight erasers. Additional erasers must be purchased separately. Two AAA batteries are required and not included.
Faber-Castell erasers are made in Germany and can be purchased in small individual plastic boxes. The eraser is pliable and can be pulled apart similar to putty. Love them. Pull a small section of the eraser, squish it thin as a pancake and use it as a tool to lighten dark areas with a sweeping stroke to create whiskers on a dog or a cat.
