Painting & Drawing Supplies for Beginners

In depth

Let’s start with the basics of what you actually *need* to create your first artworks. It's incredibly easy for beginners to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available – from different types of paper to countless colours of paint. Don’t worry about buying everything at once; focus on building a small, versatile set of materials that will allow you to experiment and find what suits your style best. A good starting point is a basic watercolour or acrylic painting kit, alongside some sketching pencils and a sketchbook.

When it comes to paper, there are several options available, each suited for different techniques. Watercolour paper is specifically designed to absorb water without buckling or warping, making it ideal for creating washes and blended effects. It’s usually thicker than regular paper and often comes in hot-pressed (smooth) or cold-pressed (textured) varieties. Cold-pressed is generally better for beginners as the texture gives you more control over your strokes. Sketchbooks are available in various formats – spiral bound, hardback, and with different paper weights. For sketching, a medium weight paper is sufficient; don’t feel you need to start with something incredibly thick. Acrylic paint requires a surface that can handle water-based media. Watercolour paper will work, but heavier cardstock or mixed media paper is often preferred for thicker applications and greater durability.

Colour selection can seem daunting, but again, starting simply is key. For watercolour paints, consider buying a basic set of tubes – these are solid blocks of pigment that you squeeze out onto your palette. A student-grade set will provide a good range of colours without the expense of professional artist paints. Acrylic paints come in both tubes and pre-mixed bottles. Tubes offer greater control over colour mixing but can dry out quickly if not stored properly. Bottles are easier to manage initially, especially for smaller projects. Don't be tempted to buy huge sets at this stage; a palette of eight or ten colours is perfectly adequate to begin with.

Now, let’s talk about brushes. Watercolour brushes are typically made from nylon or synthetic fibres and come in various shapes and sizes. Round brushes are versatile and good for detail work, while flat brushes are better for washes and broader strokes. Acrylic brushes can be made from a range of materials including hog bristle (stiff, good for thick paint), synthetic blends (more flexible) and sable (expensive but offer excellent control). Start with a small selection – perhaps one round brush, one flat brush, and maybe a detail brush. The size of the bristles will affect how much paint you can hold on the brush; larger brushes are good for covering wider areas quickly.

Drawing pencils come in varying hardness levels, indicated by markings like H (hard) and B (soft). ‘H’ pencils create light lines, while ‘B’ pencils produce darker, richer tones. An HB pencil is a good all-rounder to start with – it sits somewhere in the middle of the range. Alongside this, you'll need an eraser; a kneaded eraser is ideal for lifting graphite without damaging the paper, and a vinyl eraser will remove larger areas more effectively. Don’t worry about investing in expensive drawing sharpeners just yet; a simple craft knife can work perfectly well for sharpening your pencils – just be careful!

Finally, there are some tools and accessories that are useful but not essential at the beginning. A palette is a small dish used to mix your paints; plastic palettes are inexpensive and easy to clean. Watercolour paper pads are convenient for practice, however, individual sheets offer greater control when layering colours. You might also want to consider a watercolour brush rest – this keeps your brushes upright and prevents them from contaminating surfaces. Don’t feel you need to buy these immediately though; you can always add them later as your skills develop. Focus on the basics first: paper, paint/pencil, and an eraser.