Choosing the right graphite pencil is a daunting task because there are so many choices available. These pencils come in different hardness levels, but people just starting out should buy a 2H, H and 2B pencil. The most popular hardness level among artists is the 2B, due as it can be manipulated easily. The 2B pencil allows the freedom to make dark lines with some pressure while being able to smudge easily when needed. For dark, almost black lines, the ebony pencil provides artists the smooth texture and flexibility to blend with a finger or blending stump.
Charcoal is a long-standing favorite among artists for its variety of tones, from dark blacks to light grays. Charcoal comes in a variety of choices, including the charcoal pencil that's sold in hard, medium and soft levels. For artists who prefer to use every edge of the charcoal, vine charcoal and charcoal sticks allow the flexibility to achieve broader strokes by turning the tool on its side. Charcoal powder can be used with a paint brush or fingers.
There are different types of colored pencils available as drawing tools. Pastel pencils offer the chalk texture and blending ability of standard pastels with the control of a pencil. Watercolor pencils let artists achieve the clean lines from a pencil and, with the addition of water and a brush, provide a drawing with a watercolor effect. Standard prismatic pencils provide bold, bright colors. Their waxy texture is easily blended and controlled simply by apply various levels of pressure during application.
Pastels are available in two types, chalk and oil. Chalk pastels tend to be lighter in color while oil pastels are found in more vivid colors. Pastels are easily blended with a fingertip or blending stump. Oil pastels, when applied in a thick manner, are easily scraped away using a sharp tool or razor blade. Chalk pastels need a fixative to preserve the drawing preserved once it's finished.
Drawing pens are used by artists who prefer pen and ink drawing. The standard dip pen, one of the most common, is used with an ink well to draw lines. Using this pen takes a level of skill and practice to use the proper amount of ink. Bamboo reed pens have limits on the thinness of lines they're able to achieve. Rapidiograph pens come in different thicknesses, but tend to clog if they're not cleaned frequently. Standard felt tip permanent ink pens are easy to use, especially for people starting out in the pen and ink technique.