Naturally, all artists are unique in their own way; they have a kind of “handwriting” or style that distinguishes their work. Nonetheless, you’ll find certain art supplies in every artist’s arsenal of tools for producing masterpieces. Aspiring artists ought to be acquainted with them to always be ready to create and never miss a moment of inspiration.

1.A Default Drawing Tool

Every artist has a default or preferred drawing tool that always initiates his or her creative process. Some artists prefer graphite pencils; others charcoal pencils; others pen and ink, sharpies, biro pens, pastels or crayons among others.

Most artists, however, default to either graphite or charcoal pencils as their drawing tool because they are versatile and readily available.

Nevertheless, no specific drawing tool is necessary. You need to try out the available different options to know what feels natural to you, and you’ll have discovered your taste – your default drawing tool.

Every artist has a default drawing tool, so will you.

2. Sketchbook



One of the most difficult, if not impossible things to do is come across a serious artist without a sketchbook. Try it!

To an artist, a sketchbook is like a computer hard drive or a smartphone’s storage (or memory card) – it’s crucial!

Artists are very creative individuals and there is no telling where inspiration will come from. They know this. Moreover, the most amazing and challenging thing is that they have many ideas, which they are often forced to sort to determine the most promising and effective ones.

A sketchbook together with a default-drawing tool enables an artist to capture ideas as they pop up. Later, he or she can go through the sketchbook for more inspiration, to sort ideas, or refine the ones that will lead to the creation of a masterpiece.

Every artist needs a sketchbook to develop and store ideas for future reference. There are no exceptions!

3.A Working Surface

All artists need somewhere to place whatever they are working on. Most sketchbooks come with a hard back-cover to support the papers when in use, giving the artist an easy time as he or she records ideas.

Moreover, a drawing table/drafting table/drawing board is essential when working for extended periods or hours. An easel is also another option for different projects like drawing in nature or doing large drawings.

You don’t necessarily need an expensive drawing table; any drawing table will do, provided it gets the job done.

Bottom line: every artist needs a comfortable drawing surface to work effectively.

4. Erasers



One of the marvelous things about artists is their likeness to a boat in a river; they go with the flow. They can make a mistake while working, but rather than correcting the mistake, they use it as a source of inspiration. The mistake then becomes part of the artwork. However, some mistakes are best dealt with by erasing them.

Some artists work without erasers due to their degree of mastery, but most artists, even the accomplished ones, find them necessary. According to VeryCreate.com, kneaded erasers, in particular, are a favorite of many artists due to their malleable nature, and the fact that they erase without a trace. Hi-polymer erasers are also quite common among professional artists.

Artists like Kim Jung gi, who can produce flawless masterpieces without erasing a dot, are rare. Most of the flock will erase a thing or two during the initial stages of their creative process. It doesn’t mean that they are not masters, it only means they are human – and so are you. You’ll need an eraser.

5. Utility Knife/ Cutter/ Artist Knife

Most artists work with graphite pencils, charcoal pencils, various papers, pastel pencils, and other items that need cutting.

Having a utility knife with you will prove invaluable in many ways. As many professional artists will attest, it’s one of those things that make the artist’s life easier.

6. Artist bag/ Art bag/ Art supply bag

The above five tools are some of the essential ones for most artists because they need them wherever they go, which makes an art supply bag another vital item.

Artists need somewhere to pack the above tools among others to bring them wherever they go. Inspiration strikes at the oddest hours; sometimes when you are eating, and sometimes when you are sleeping (dreams). And who knows where you’ll be doing either of those activities?

What is clear, however, is that when inspiration strikes, you’ll need your art supplies with you; an art bag makes it possible to have them in those critical moments.

Invest in the above six essential items every artist needs, and nothing will ever stand between you and your next masterpiece!