July 2013

A drawing pencil shouldn’t be loaded with bells and whistles–that’s why there’s the MONO Drawing Pencil by Tombow. Its sleek and simple design will provide hours of doodling pleasure. Your crisp lines will be smear-proof, especially when a pack of these pencils come in a variety of point strengths. (Our favorites: 6H, HB, 4B.)

ZIG CLEAN COLOR REAL BRUSH MARKERS 

Unlike other “brush-tip” markers, the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Marker actually has
a bristle tip! It’s filled with a water-based dye makes it perfect for blending with water. This marker is great for illustrating and cartooning.

PRISMACOLOR PREMIER DOUBLE ENDED ART MARKERS

Primarily used for illustration, Prismacolor Premier Double Ended Art Markers provide top-quality hues. When coloring, apply in layers, using the different tips of the marker. You’ll create shadows and textures throughout your artwork. Voilà!

MOLESKINE VOLANT MINI PLAIN NOTEBOOK 

See someone you want to draw? Have a great idea? Keep one of these Moleskine Volant Mini Plain Notebooks on hand at all times! The Moleskine was a beloved notebook of famous artists like Van Gogh, Picasso, and will be by you. Quick! Write that down…

LEPEN POROUS POINT MARKER PEN

Here’s a pen that will certainly get people talking. Besides having a fun-to-pronounce name, the LePen has a chic body and fray- proof tip that dispenses a vivid color with every stroke. So, when someone asks you what pen you’re using with your Moleskine, you’ll be happy to show it off! 

June 2013

Interested in creating intricate typography or colorful accents for your drawings? The Zig Memory System Brushables Marker is perfect for those fine details. You’ll notice that the colors on each side are different: one tip is a true color pigment brush, while the lighter tip is a pigment tint brush. This marker will provide clean lines and bold features with every stroke.

FABER-CASTELL PERFECTION ERASER PENCILS 

If you were to cross a pencil with an eraser, you’d get the Faber-Castell Perfection Eraser Pencil. (Pretty cool, right?) With a rubber eraser core, it can get rid of your smallest mistakes in the corners of your drawings. You can even sharpen it with a regular round pencil sharpener. 

PANTONE UNIVERSE TWIN MARKERS 

Amazon Block
Search for an Amazon product to display. Learn more

We love Pantone–and you will to! The Pantone Matching System has turned its best and brightest colors into a dual-tip marker for your drawing pleasure. Both sides of the marker are different shapes, and create a true Pantone color with every line. 

FORESTCHOICE CARPENTER PENCILS 

Carpenter pencils are not just for the wood shop anymore. The ForestChoice Carpenter Pencil is one of the best kept secrets in the drawing world. To use, hold the pencil closer to the tip (on its flat end side) using an overhand grip (see diagram). This will create a thicker sketch line–good for shading, carving out shadows, and gesture drawing in sketchbook. 

IRWIN CARPENTERS PENCIL SHARPENER 

With a great carpenter pencil, you must have a great carpenter pencil sharpener. The Irwin Carpenters Pencil Sharpener holds a stainless steel blade that give you a fresh cut everytime. Plus, the top of the sharpener has a small patch of sandpaper–handy for finishing the edge of the graphite.

May 2013

photo via mickeycrandall

photo via mickeycrandall

Edgar Degas and George Seurat were notorious for using pastels. Now it’s your turn to show off your skills. Conté Pastel Pencils work best on rough paper surfaces, bringing texture to your artwork. Try this pencil to practice your crosshatching technique.

PIGMA MICRON PEN

Looking for sleek lines, crisp details, and a satifying drawing experience? This is your pen. The Pigma Micron Pen is “the King” of drawing pens, found in the pocket of all artists. It’s filled with high-quality archival ink, doesn’t smear when dry, and doesn’t leak through your sketchbook. All hail the Micron!

RICHESON PLASTIC PAINTING KNIVES 

Used for mixing colors or making dynamic shapes on canvas, the Richeson Plastic Painting Knife is not your everyday tool. If you’re looking to change up your painting routine, this knife can give your artwork a more organic feel. These plastic knives are safe, durable, and easy to clean after a painting session. 

LIQUITEX BASICS ACRYLIC PAINT

Acrylic paint is a water-based mixture known to dry fast on all types of surfaces. Try the Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint with the painting knife for a more prominent stroke and fiery color. Andy Warhol loved using Liquitex paints, and so will you. 

UNI-BALL KURU TOGA MECHANICAL PENCIL

If you’re into mechanical pencils, here’s a must-have new tool for your drawing sessions. The Uni-Ball Kuru Toga Mechanical Pencil has a twisting mechanism that rotates the lead as you lift off the page, to keep the lead consistently sharp (Confused? See our helpful little diagram, below.). This starter kit comes with extra lead and erasers, too.

 

April 2013

tumblr_inline_mkhe7l6feb1qz4rgf.jpg

Made a mistake with your charcoals or pastels? General’s Tri-Tip Soft White Eraser is exactly what you need to clear those unnecessary lines and mistakes. It erases smoothly on every surface, from fine fibers to tough construction papers. 

Caran d’Ache Fancolor Colored Pencil Kit

A pencil that doubles as watercolor paint? Now that’s cool. Fill in a doodle using a  Swiss-made Caran d’Ache Fancolor Colored Pencil, then brush it over with a wet  paintbrush. You’ll instantly have a vibrant watercolor painting, made with the pigments of a colored pencil.

General Pencil Peel & Sketch Charcoal

Charcoal is infamous for being messy, so we found a charcoal pencil that’s clean and fun to use instead. General’s Peel & Sketch Charcoal is one that you can physically peel as you wear down the tip. No need to sharpen or store in a separate bag – the pencil is designed to live with your other drawing utensils in perfect harmony.

Spectrum Noir Marker Sets

If you’ve been looking for a special marker for your comics, caricatures, or fashion sketches, this is the marker for you. The Spectrum Noir Marker will make your art bold, vibrant, and clean with every mark. The best part about these pens? They have a broad chisel tip on one side and a fine line tip on the other. 

Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner Marker Pen

Try mixing up your usual fine line pens with this Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner Marker Pen. The shape of this pen is similar to your everyday pencil, giving you a comfortable drawing experience.

March 2013

tumblr_inline_mifd67ZNes1qz4rgf.png

This matte black finish pencil, makes a soft, dark line great for sketching. The  Palomino Blackwing is the modern version of the Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602, which was said to be “the best pencil ever.” Chuck Jones, Oscar-winning animation director, used this pencil for creating shows like Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry.

Sharpie Brush Tip Permanent Markers, 12 Colored Markers (1810704)

Artists always have a reliable Sharpie in their back pocket. Trust us – this will be your new favorite Sharpie. By adding pressure with your hand, you can control of the width of your lines, making them more intricate.

Spangle Green Mini-Jumbo Triangular Learning Pencils

For those of you who tend to lose things, say hello to the Spangle Mini Jumbo Size Learning Pencil. Made of basswood with a triangular shape, it will never fall off the table. We have a feeling this will be your next go-to pencil, since it will always be in the same place you left it.

Reeves Gouache Artist Paints - 12ml Tubes

Gouache paint is the opaque version of watercolor paint. Reeves Gouache Artist  Paints have high-quality pigments that create a consistent matte finish on a variety of surfaces. These are great for bringing ink illustrations to life with vibrant color.

Solo Horton Camel Hair Watercolor Brush, size 2

With great gouache, you’ll need another reliable tool: a Solo Horton 2108 Professional Quality watercolor brush. This brush is short in size, but has a soft-haired tuft for fine strokes. The round brush shape is ideal for a watercolor artist to master the challange of staining and layering the paint.

Featured by: