Paintbrushes are used to apply paint to canvas. Paintbrushes come in many shapes and sizes; however, the best brushes for art are generally smaller than brushes used in commercial painting. Artistic paintbrushes range in size from 30/0 to 30 (trade sizes, not measured in any conventional unit).
Paints can be oil based, water based, or hybrid. Oil paints are made from dying oil, while watercolor paints are made from water and colorant. Paints come in all colors and consistencies. Which paint is the best depends entirely on personal preference.
Pencils, markers, and pastels are used to draw on paper. Artistic pencils are different from writing pencils; the former come in a wide range of shapes and colors, whereas the latter are 0.5-0.7 in size and dark gray. Artistic markers are often used in graphic design and poster drawing. Pastels are crayon-like sticks that produced colored markings with a chalky texture. The best pencils, markers, and pastels are those that are designed specifically for artistic purposes. Pencils, markers, and pastels cannot be used to draw clearly on rough canvas.
Canvas and paper are the surfaces on which art is made. Canvas is a woven fabric that can withstand many layers of thick, oil-based paints. Paper is a thinner material that is used in watercolor paintings and pencil drawings.
Erasers are used to correct mistakes in pencil drawings. There is no significant difference between artistic grade erasers and writing erasers other than size. Artistic erasers are usually larger than writing erasers.
Engraving tools are used to make depressions in a solid surface. Engraving tools include knives, chisels, and picks. The best engraving utensils are made of stainless steel. Diamond-tipped engraving tools are generally considered to be the highest quality, as they can make very clean, deep cuts.