Thursday, April 23, 2009

Sample Beginner's Sketching Kit

This small collection of analog drawing sets would provide a beginner student with a comprehensive range of graphite pencils, erasers, and blending tools that allows a wide range for sketching and experimentation.
While it is true, that more art nowadays is getting made with digital means like a drawing tablet and graphics software. Learning to use traditional drafting tools and paper still have some advantages for anyone keen on improving their drawing skills. For one, you are not limited in your efforts by battery life and technological quirks (like heavy slow down of your computer when using Photoshop too heavily, not to mention the larger initial investment). Second, these analog tools can often be found on sale at many office supplies and arts & crafts stores all over the country. For example, the starter graphite sketching set pictured was put together for about ten bucks. It features German -made Staedtler Mars Ergosoft (HB, B, & 2B) pencils and 2 mm leadholder long known for their precision engineering, quality, and performance. I have noticed with some trepidation, that the newer product on the shelves no longer seems to be "Made in Germany" and tends to be of inferior quality and cheaper feel (softer discolored plastic in leadholder barrels and rather scratchy graphite leads). Thus if given the choice, I would recommend seeking out the older stock and checking the country of origin on the packaging or the tools themselves to get the most bang for your buck.

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