My Favorite
Charcoal Drawing Supplies
If you’ve ever wondered what charcoal pencils, paper, sharpeners, blenders and other supplies I use in my own artwork, they’re all here!
These are the products I currently recommend based on my own experience using them for realistic colored pencil artwork.
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THE CHARCOAL SUPPLIES I USE
Generals Charcoal Pencils
This set comes with black in 2B, 4B, 6B and a white along with a kneaded eraser.
White Charcoal Pencil
I always need extra white charcoal pencils, so here is the listing with just this one.
Charcoal Powder
Charcoal powder is great for super soft backgrounds or base layers. You will want Sofft Tools and/or Sofft Tools Sponges for applying this.
Canson Mi-Teintes
This is my favorite paper for charcoal. Not too rough but a good amount of texture for the charcoal to stick to. It comes in a lot of different colors. Grey is my personal favorite.
Spectrafix
I use this to help the charcoal stick to the paper better long term. It doesn’t darken the charcoal IF you spray lightly. I use a Fine Mist Sprayer to avoid heavy droplets.
Shading tools
This is a great set of budget friendly shading tools. Note: That sand paper stick is NOT for sharpening your shading tools, but to sharpen the tips of your pencils.
Easel Lamp
One of the most important things in the studio is being able to see without straining our eyes! This lamp clamps right onto my easel, but they also have tabletop and floor type lamps depending on what works for your space.
Pencil Sharpeners
These handheld sharpeners are inexpensive and effective! I like to have several so when one gets dull, I can swap it out for a fresh one!
Erasers
Chamois
When you have a larger area you need softly blended these chamois are a great choice!
Drawing Board
We need a drawing board for our work so we don’t ruin the rest of the paper in the pad. Get a board larger than the paper you’re working on so you have room to tape it.
Masking Tape
It’s important to use an acid-free masking tape when we tape our work so we don’t leave damaging residue on the finished art!
Drafting Brush
When you erase an area you don’t want to use your hand to wipe away the shavings. This can smudge the work or get oils from your skin on it, use this instead!
Glassine
I use this acid-free paper under my hand to protect the work from smudges and the oils on my skin. I also place a piece between each drawing to protect them in storage or shipping.
Art Storage Box
These archival boxes are how I store most of my colored pencil drawings. I put a piece of glassine between each piece to keep them clean and smudge free. You can fit a LOT of art in these boxes!
Mat, Bag and Board
Is your art even done if you don’t mat it? These bag/backing board/mat combo sets make it easy to present your work professionally at a reasonable price.
Want to learn how I use all this stuff?
Supplies are just the beginning! Learn how to layer, blend, and use them together in my full-length charcoal pencil lessons.
