MY RECOMMENDED ART SUPPLIES
The Exact Tools I use In Every Piece
After 25+ years of drawing, I've tried just about everything. These are the surfaces, pencils, and tools I actually reach for: the ones that show up in my studio every single day. I only recommend what I genuinely use.
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Drawing Surfaces
Grafix Drafting Film .005 Matte
2-Sided, 24" × 36"
My primary surface. Ultra-smooth polyester film. Draw on both sides for extraordinary depth. The detail king. Buy large and trim down to smaller, more manageable sheets.
Clairefontaine Pastelmat Pad - White
9½" × 12", 12 Sheets
My go-to Pastelmat size for most projects. Deep velvety tooth that accepts endless layers. The best surface for rich, painterly color and light-over-dark work.
Fabriano Artistico Enhanced Hot Press
Extra White, 9" × 12" Block
100% cotton, smooth hot press — the classic all-rounder. Great for mixed media and solvent blending. Standard size that fits off-the-shelf frames.
Color Pencils
Faber-Castell Polychromos
Set of 120, Tin Box
My workhorse set. Oil-based, lightfast, buttery smooth. Beautiful on every surface, especially drafting film. The full 120 set gives you the range you need.
Caran d'Ache Luminance
Set of 100
The most lightfast colored pencil on the market. Creamy wax-based formula, incredible for skin tones and delicate gradients. Worth every
penny.
Caran d'Ache Pablo
Set of 120
Harder than Luminance with a finer point. Perfect for detail work and layering over Polychromos. A hidden gem that many artists overlook
Derwent Lightfast
Set of 100, Tin Box
Oil-based with excellent lightfastness. Unique color range you won't find in other sets, especially their earth tones and deep blues.
Derwent Artist
Set of 72, Tin Box
A classic wax-based set with a softer, more traditional feel. Great for broad strokes and textural work
Derwent Drawing
Set of 72, Tin Box
Soft, earthy, pastel-like pencils. Beautiful for portraiture and naturalistic tones. These blend like a dream on Pastelmat