Pencils:
Well i cant do much without the trusty pencil and you cant do much unless you learn to use the right ones.
Mechanical Pencil
Mechanical Pencil: This is the pencil that i use the most. I have .5 and .7, each one used for different areas of a drawing. They come in handy with fine detail and tight areas. They are great to handle, but i recommend getting the ones with a rubber grip, as this will give you much more control. They last much longer because leads are protected by pencil casing.
I use the Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencils and i wouldn’t change them for any other. They are tough and don’t break easily, these are a must have if you plan on working on highly detailed drawings. Pencils range from hard to soft, 9H, 8H, … , 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B, … , 8B, 9B. I mostly use 2h and 5h, but i don’t expect you to use these also. Mix and match and see what works with your style and what you are trying to achieve. I use 2h for skin tones which allows me to lay down light areas and i use 5h to blend softer shades such as 4b and 5b. I will get into this much more in the future.
Progresso Pencil
Progresso pencils are solid sticks of graphite and very versatile tools. I have two, i have 2b and 6b and use the primarily when working with with hair and i will explain later on how to use these pencils to create realistic fur.
Well this is my main tool for adding texture and realism to animal hair and fur. Just what is it, you ask? Well its used for impressing a line into paper before drawing starts, this makes an invisible line. When you run the pencil over it, it leaves a clean white line. Well this tool can be used in many areas such as hair,grass and other fine details. Once you understand how to use this, it will become a handy tool for adding realism to your pencil drawings. I have two and i made these myself. I have one for fine lines which i made using a pen and adding a needle to the tip of it. Make sure you sand down the tip a bit or else it will rip through paper. 
The second one that i have is a ball point empty pen which i use for thicker lines. Make sure that you have completely gotten all the ink out of the pen or you might get some unfortunate mistakes 
. The tip thickness depends on the pen itself also, look for the one that works best. Both of these are great for adding realism to your drawings. This is a style that i have developed and that has worked for me, you might not like working with this but that allows you to find a style that will work for you.
These are used for blending graphite. they are double ended and is a great tool for getting smooth transitions from dark to light. Never, ever, ever use your finger to blend pencil because the oils from your fingers will cause graphite to stick to paper. Getting these little spots is the worst thing in a drawing, they practically impossible to remove.
These are basically used the same was as tortillon but should be used for smaller tighter areas. Mainly used for oil or acrylic, its great for drawing. You can find these at your local art store. They come in different tip shapes which can be helpful with different effects that you are looking to get, experiment.
Sharpener
You cant do much with stub, so these little tools come in handy. These not only can be used for sharpening the wood cased pencils and pencil erasers, but you can also use the graphite residue that collects to use with the tortillon.
These pencils are great for making highlights and adding depth to your drawings. You can easily sharpen them with sharpener giving you much more control. The refills are inexpensive and is essential in creating drawings.
A tool that gave me the opportunity to give much more life to my drawings. It might look like just a piece of playdoh, but its a great tool for any pencil artist. It works just like an eraser, but it just pulls out almost any mark that has been made with a pencil. When molded to a fine line, it can pull graphite off the paper leaving a nice clean line. Great for creating hair and highlights, its a tool that must be included with all your others.
Shami Towel:
Yup, the same ones that you use to wash your car. You can buy these at any store where they sell car accessories. These little towels are great for blending large areas. Make sure the piece you are using is completely dry. Just add pencil and blend. You’ll be amazed at how smooth it blends pencil.
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33 Responses to “Tools of the Trade”
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1. AmyW Says:
November 15th, 2007 at 6:12 pmI appreciate the tips on what to use when drawing. I have an assortment of pencils, erasers, etc, but I haven’t used mechanical pencils yet. I’m definately going to buy a few.
Your work is fantastic. It’s nice to see the tools you use to create such masterpieces. Thanks for all of your tips and helpful comments.
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2. onlypencil Says:
November 15th, 2007 at 9:31 pmThank you so much. Mechanical pencils are great for fine details. It also helps that you don’t to keep sharpening them. Wood Cased pencils are still important because they can be used for different effects as well.
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3. Anton Says:
November 29th, 2007 at 8:08 pmHi, I have bought my first kneable eraser today =), and I have a question, how do I clean it when it gets dirty??
Thanks. -
4. Anton Says:
November 29th, 2007 at 8:08 pmHi, I have bought my first kneable eraser today =), and I have a question, how do I clean it when it gets dirty??
Thanks. -
5. onlypencil Says:
November 30th, 2007 at 1:33 amYou won’t regret it
. Well it lasts for a long time, theres actually no way of cleaning it. The way you can tell that its time to get a new one is when it either gets too hard,it doesn’t pull any more graphite off paper or it puts down more graphite than it pulls when you use it. But it should last you for a while. -
6. Ian Says:
December 10th, 2007 at 6:15 pmHi,somebody told me to use blue-tack to erase graphite , does that work?
Great site and tutorials by the way well done! -
7. Ian Says:
December 10th, 2007 at 6:15 pmHi,somebody told me to use blue-tack to erase graphite , does that work?
Great site and tutorials by the way well done! -
8. onlypencil Says:
December 10th, 2007 at 7:05 pmHi,somebody told me to use blue-tack to erase graphite , does that work?
Great site and tutorials by the way well done!yeah blu tack is great, but that one you have to order from the UK so i just purchase the ones at my local art store. I’ve bought blu-tack and its a great eraser but the ones that i buy are as good too. Well thanks for visiting and hope you come back again.
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9. Udo Says:
February 20th, 2008 at 3:01 pmHello,
first I want to thank you for your excellent tutorials. I learned a lot.
I have one question: What type of colour blender you use? Please can you give me more info.
Thanks for your help.Kind regards from Germany,
Udo
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10. Udo Says:
February 20th, 2008 at 3:01 pmHello,
first I want to thank you for your excellent tutorials. I learned a lot.
I have one question: What type of colour blender you use? Please can you give me more info.
Thanks for your help.Kind regards from Germany,
Udo
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11. onlypencil Says:
February 21st, 2008 at 10:20 amyou’re welcome
Well i use the the one with a tapered tip because its shaped more like a pencil. You can test other shapes to see which one works best. You can see a description of each one here
https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=A021B000572&NBReset=4 -
12. Sid Says:
March 10th, 2008 at 4:29 amThank you or all the help first of all.
It is the most helpful site I have found yet. -
13. Afonso Says:
March 24th, 2008 at 3:34 pmhey m8,
first of all i wana thank you for the great job u do and also for the help bc this is really nice having all the steps of the draws. i´m a art student and it´s really helping me improving my drawing during hollidays:P.
Now i just wana ask u something, thats how do i get one of those stumps? -
14. Afonso Says:
March 24th, 2008 at 4:34 pmhey m8,
first of all i wana thank you for the great job u do and also for the help bc this is really nice having all the steps of the draws. i´m a art student and it´s really helping me improving my drawing during hollidays:P.
Now i just wana ask u something, thats how do i get one of those stumps? -
15. Mary Says:
March 30th, 2008 at 9:03 pmThank you for such a great tutorials … your work is amazing! Would you mind commenting on what type of paper is best for drawing with pencils? Thanks again for sharing your passion!
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16. Mary Says:
March 30th, 2008 at 10:03 pmThank you for such a great tutorials … your work is amazing! Would you mind commenting on what type of paper is best for drawing with pencils? Thanks again for sharing your passion!
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17. onlypencil Says:
August 5th, 2008 at 10:25 pmWell the paper depends on what you want to draw. For drawing animals i prefer to use canson bristol vellum. It has a slight tooth which gives the drawing a bit of texture. For faces and really detailed drawings i go for Canson bristol smooth. Both are great for drawing with pencil. Some people complain about the slight texture that vellum has, but i like it. Its about what works for you, try out different papers and see what gives the results you are looking for. Well just contact me if you have any other questions.
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18. onlypencil Says:
August 5th, 2008 at 11:25 pmWell the paper depends on what you want to draw. For drawing animals i prefer to use canson bristol vellum. It has a slight tooth which gives the drawing a bit of texture. For faces and really detailed drawings i go for Canson bristol smooth. Both are great for drawing with pencil. Some people complain about the slight texture that vellum has, but i like it. Its about what works for you, try out different papers and see what gives the results you are looking for. Well just contact me if you have any other questions.
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19. chleo Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 5:24 amThank you so much for these amazing tutorials.
This will help me improve on my drawing skills. -
20. onlypencil Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 11:23 amyoure welcome, just keep practicing and you will see results.
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21. Nancy Says:
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:25 amDo you use the color shapers that are the mini set , size 0 ? And do you prefer the soft or firm for shading with graphite/ carbon? Blick's has both kinds and I wasn't sure which would be better … Thanks
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22. onlypencil Says:
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:19 pmi use the one with the pointy tip and use the firm one. I have tried both and each can be used for different areas. The firm one is great for tighter areas since you have much control. The soft one is great for pulling graphite in pulling graphite to lighter areas. I would start with the firm one because you'll get much more control and then later one try out the softer ones.
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23. Kieran Says:
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 pmHi i come across your website by chance and im so glad i did. Your art is truly amazing ive started up drawing again all because of ur website so thank you for that.
Ive just gone out and brought all your tools you recamend and cant wait to create some good drawings keep up the great work i will be sticking with your website.best stuff ive ever seen.Well done. -
24. Liz Says:
February 28th, 2009 at 9:20 amHi, I love your drawings and have just finished having a go at a tigers eye. Its so much more realistic. Thank you for your knowledge.
I use see through sticky backed plastic too, you cut off a small piece and when laid carefully on your drawing, sticky side down, you can rub or use a stippling affect with a tool to lift off the area, It is more accurate than a rubber for delicate areas. Have you ever tried this? I works really well with coloured pencils. Liz
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25. Bill Wells Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 12:07 pmLove your tutorials, they have helped me a lot. Especially the eye and lips and teeth.
What is the sticky plastic to lift graphite. I am trying to find a way to lift complex light thin hairs. Does this work?
Thanks again. -
26. Bill Wells Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 12:18 pmYour tutorial of the eye and mouth and teeth have been very helpful.
I am trying to find out how to lift fine, light hairs. I have tried eraser but they don't seem to be fine enough.
I saw where someone referred to sticky plastic. Is that a way and what is it?
Thanks again.. -
27. onlypencil Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 2:04 pmthank you so much. glad tutorial has been helpful. Well i have made a tutorial on how i draw hair. A kneaded eraser is great for highlights but it can also be used with the technique that is explained in that tutorial. You can read about it and if you have any questions just comment and ill answer. Well take care and thank you.
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28. priceless Says:
July 27th, 2009 at 10:00 pmyou rock it sounds better then thanks alot :0 )
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29. Sanne Says:
August 14th, 2009 at 10:26 amWhich size colour shaper do you use?
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30. פיסול Says:
November 18th, 2009 at 5:00 amgood , most helpful
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31. Kylie Says:
January 17th, 2010 at 12:30 pmhi. first i want to say your work is so amazing and i love that you like to draw tigers and wolves because those are my favorite animals.
but anyway, im an artist, but i do ametuer work like outlines. Im good at outlines or small eye portraits, like the eye and the tiny amount of fur around it, but I just can’t get it to look realistic. i know i could become good but I can’t figure out how! Im 14, and been pencil drawing for many years. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks so much and your drawings rock. -
32. Danny Says:
February 6th, 2010 at 7:19 amThank you for your time and energy to create such a wonderful art site.
I've been studying and practicing your eye tutorial recently (well and reading a lot of other things too) and I was able to recreate your eye drawing very realistically and precisely.
I have a very important question to ask you, something that I never thought would be that important. I've always use printer papers for my drawings. Just recently after seeing great results with your eye tutorials I've decided to go out and invest in high quality drawing papers. I bought the Strathmore 400 recycled 80 pounds paper knowing that it should greatly improve my drawings, I was terribly wrong. The line is very dull compares to the printer paper, and I cannot create fine lines with the "strathmore drawing paper"(even though it saids that the paper is sutable for charcal, pencil and other dry media.) I'm really frustrated right now and need your help. The eye that I try to recreate looks horrible (even though I'm very accurate with my strokes). I understand that I'm not using the bristol paper, but please explain why the regular drawing paper is actually worse than my printing paper(as far as detail and realism is concerned)?
The bottom line is: I would like to draw realistically( like you). Is the brisitol paper similar to printer paper surface? I can achieve so much realism with printer paper and it's cheaper can you believe it… And finally what type/style of drawings can I do with the strathmore drawing paper? The thing is if I cannot get realism then I will not even bother using that paper. Thank you so much, I hope you get a chance to reply
PS: all your papers are pure white it seems, mine is yellow tint
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33. Sora Says:
April 20th, 2010 at 12:18 pmIs There Another Call For Progessto Pencil?I really want to buy one….but I don't know how to describe it at art store…
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:00 am
[...] Tools Used: [...]
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:22 am
[...] Tools Used: [...]
June 10th, 2008 at 9:49 am
[...] Tools Used: 2h Pencil 6h Pencil 2b Mechanical Pencil 6b Progresso Pencil Stylus Kneaded Eraser Color Shaper Eraser [...]
June 12th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
[...] Tools Used: [...]
June 28th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
[...] Tools Used: [...]
July 13th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
[...] Tools Used: 2h Pencil 6h Pencil 2b Mechanical Pencil 6b Progresso Pencil Stylus Kneaded Eraser Color Shaper Eraser [...]
August 9th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
[...] Tools of the Trade [...]
August 18th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
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