I really enjoy trying out new art materials. To me, a drawing store feels like being in a candy store where I can find fun pencils, new colors, and unique materials. I like to test and experiment with these in my sketchbook. Because when I make my final drawings, I usually stick to using my favorite materials. Would you like to know my top ten?
Sketchbook materials:
The sketchbook I like the most is the Royal Talens sketchbook. It comes in various sizes and has thick paper that can handle quite a bit of paint and marker. It's sturdy, easy to carry around, and offers good value for money, so you can experiment without any worries.
If you want to try one new art material, I suggest the Neocolor II Aquarelle. They are water-soluble crayons in a variety of shades. With these you can create beautiful textures and also color larger areas easily.
I still really like using colored pencils, especially for adding details. You can use them over different materials like watercolor, gouache, and markers.
My favorite colored pencils are the Caran d'ache luminance pencils and the Faber Castel polychromos pencils. They have wonderful pigments and are lightfast. Though a bit more expensive, both have lots of color and are soft, making them perfect for precise coloring.
Another favorite of mine is the Tombow markers. They are very handy with two different sides: one with a brush pen and the other with a fine line/felt pen. You can even mix them with water for a watercolor effect.
Lastly, I find the Posca markers with acrylic paint very useful. They're great for adding fine details or correcting mistakes with a thicker layer. Just use them on thicker paper. You can also use these markers for drawing on walls and windows.
For my illustrations:
My favorite paint is the Holbein Acryla Gouache. You can dilute it with water, and it dries with a beautiful matte finish like regular gouache. Once it dries, it becomes waterproof like acrylic paint. You can easily paint several layers on top without the undercoat dissolving again. The pigments in this paint are of exceptionally high quality, resulting in truly stunning and beautiful colors.
Since acrylic gouache dries fast, using a Masterson palette comes in handy. It's a special palette with a damp cloth beneath the paper palette that keeps the paint moist. Additionally, you can close the box to preserve the paint's usability for an extended period.
When it comes to brushes, my top choice is the Princeton Select brushes. These synthetic brushes have strong bristles, which is essential for working with acrylic gouache. They also come in various sizes and shapes.
I mostly use Daler Rowey Paper for my illustrations. It's hot pressed watercolor paper with a fine texture, and at 300g, it can absorb a generous amount of water.
Lastly, in nearly every illustration, I rely on white and black fineliners for adding intricate details.
Everyone's material preferences are unique, and just because something is more expensive doesn't necessarily mean it will give better results. It's important to try out different materials to discover which ones work best for you. Do you also enjoy exploring new drawing materials? If so, which ones are your favorites?
