What and where to get Proffesional drawing Peripherals?

[wingman52]

I love drawing, i mostly try to focus on drawing detailed sketches of environments, people, military stuff, monsters, objects, things like that with paper and pencil. I always have a problem with using .7,.5mm mechanical pencils where the end of the lead always gets dull and i cant get smooth, thin lines for good detail looking pieces. I also have a problem with this sketch book paper tearing up from erasing. What are the simple drawing and paper utensils and peripherals that professionals use and where can someone in California get them?

[Alzorath]

well...some professionals actually use that as their sketching preference (a sketchbook + mechanical pencil).

Canson, Blick, and Bienfang are personally my favorite 3 brands of paper as far as cheap 'sketchbooks' go. With varying weights of course (Canson being the least tooth, Bienfang being the most tooth in general - Blick falls in-between)

Bristol Board is a popular heavy-duty paper for illustration if you're looking for heavier stock (it's also more expensive per sheet). Don't just buy heavier paper solely for erasing though - as you progress you'll notice the eraser being used less and less for "erasing", and more for the occasional lightening of lines or the bringing out of whites. Basically: Don't rely on erasing, you can mar any surface by rubbing at it too much with an eraser (no matter how heavy it is - you can damage the layers)

As for pencils:

Mechanical Pencils range down to .3mm, the lead is hard to find for these - so most use .5mm when they use mechanical pencils (some use .7mm because they are the cheapest). There should be no problem with keeping them sharp - it is very unlikely any of the images you've seen done are using a tip smaller than .3mm, or heck even .5mm. Softest mechanical lead I've found is 2B (for .7mm), I've only seen HB and harder for .5mm. Look up some of Marko's drawings, which can be found also on his DVD, if memory serves these were created with a .5mm mechanical pencil, and suffer no lack of detail.

As for other types of pencils - there are the traditional wooden, and then there are lead holders (I love my Turquoise lead holder, easily my favorite tool) - the leads they hold they are 2mm, basically a normal lead width.

This is all just assuming graphite drawings - I won't bother diving into painting materials, inks, charcoals, etc. etc. since you don't seem to be particularly interested in them as of yet.

All can be ordered from http://www.dickblick.com/ - you should also be able to find them at Physical DickBlick stores, Michael's stores, and usually also Hobby Lobby... worst case you can find most of this stuff at a Walmart (craft supplies and office supplies).

Professionals use a wide gamut of materials - and for the most part the same tools are available to both professionals and amateurs - it's just a matter of what you're willing to spend, what brands you work best with, and where you live (California has some shipping restrictions, but beyond that there's just as much available as the rest of the continental US)

Don't fight materials, and don't buy materials just because <such and such> an artist uses them.

[CelticWind88]

I would suggest getting a lead holder. Staedtler makes a great one, and it's what I use. Get the sharpener to go with it 'cause its specific to lead holders, and you can sharpen it to a fine point and go at it. Another great thing is you can get them in different weights (2B, 4B, etc.) so you can be pretty picky.
I got mine off of www.misterart.com, where its around 5 bucks for the lead holder, 6 bucks for the sharpener (not sure why its more expensive), and then you just have to buy some more lead to refill it. But trust me, the leads last a LONG time.
Hope this helps, Wingman. Peace

[S!R]

I mirror the same sentiments about lead holders. I recently picked one up (Staedler) and the sharpener for exactly the above mentioned prices at a local art store.

WOW! I looove it. The leads last a long time,are fairly inexpensive, and come in a variety of hardnesses.

Well worth picking one up....
</my 2 cents>

[Stahr]

2mm and 3mm mechanical pencils(led holders or whatever you want to call them) are great, at least if you want a refillable pen that acts more like a default led pencil. I would go for a 2B or 3B for most use, perhaps adding a harder led for sketching lightly(perhaps a HB), and a harder for deep shadows (i don't know if you can get more than 5B in thoose leds).
I myself use a 2mm HB and a 3mm 2B. I think it's easier to get varied lines with a broader led. I always find the 0.7 0.5 to dig to much into the paper, or i'm to heavy on my hand hehe.

[Alzorath]

My lead holder usually has 6B in it fairly consistently - but it is prone to breaking if I don't keep it in a pencil holder of sorts (the lead, not the pencil) - the 4B lead is a bit stronger and I haven't had it break yet - those are my 2 favorite leads for the 2mm holder I have.

Only wooden "pencils" I use in fact are: A) Ebony Pencils and B) Colored Pencils. The rest of my materials I use either a lead holder/mechanical pencil, or prefer in 'block' or 'vine' forms (Oil Pastels I would consider "Vine" honestly..they're just short and round).