If you are interested in painting or drawing, there are some basic materials you will need to get started. This can be a relaxing hobby for many people and some have even transformed their love of art into a career as well.
One of the first things you will need to purchase is a sketchbook as this will help you learn to draw. There are many online classes you can take to get you started with the basics. You can also do some self learning by checking out tutorials on YouTube and reading self-help books. Some of the basics you have to learn are drawing shapes, methods of shading and practising how to compose a drawing by gauging the proportions and the overall harmony. There is only so much you can learn until you start practising. You will make many mistakes in the beginning but understanding what is wrong can help you learn more about the craft. You can sketch in your spare time or jot down ideas when they come. You can also plan a painting on the sketchbook before you start with other materials. It is best to choose a sketchbook that has a minimum of 74 GSM. You can get heavier paper with drawing pads and you can upgrade from a sketchbook to this once you get the hang of the basics.
Graphite tip pencils are a basic for any arts and craft project. You can start out using these and they can be used for simple sketches. You can also use them to draw in more detail. There are pencil sets you can purchase as a beginner so that you get a collection of pencils and you will be able to experiment with different hardness levels. Pencil numbers starting with H are hard pencils and they are used for drawing lighter lines. If the letter on the pencil starts with B, then it is a softer pencil and you can use it to make darker lines. You should have a good eraser to remove pencil marks so that there is no residue left. A kneaded eraser can do the job perfectly. You can also mould the eraser to different shapes which will help you when erasing larger areas. A pencil sharpener is essential when you are starting with pencils. You can go for a metal handheld sharpener that is easy to use. Look for one where you can see the pencil being sharpened so you will not over-sharpen it and cause the tip to break. You may need a double sharpener when working with thicker pencils.
Watercolours and acrylic paints will help you learn the basics of painting. They are water based and you will be able to use them easily. You can start with a watercolour set that has about twelve colours. There are transparent, opaque and semi-opaque water colours. If you prefer a more sheer appearance for the paintings that watercolour paintings are known for, you can choose this. Heavy body acrylic paints in tubes are flexible when using and you can start with a beginner set that comes with about 6 colours. If you are buying colours separately, make sure to buy two tubes of white. When it comes to brushes, synthetic brushes have smooth lines while natural bristles show the brush strokes.
