I was surprised by a huge response to last week’s jumpstarting a sketchbook practice post. Apparently I’m not the only one that wants to do this in a more meditative, creative, and no-stress way.

Many of you asked also for me to link to supplies, because you want to follow along and try the exercises I do. I’m delighted! So here you are.

I went the extra mile this week, and became an affiliate with Dick Blick (not wanting to support Amazon!).  So now if you buy art materials from Dick Blick through my links (like the ones below!), you’ll support me too with a small percentage in return. In addition, know that Dick Blick orders over $69 get free shipping.

Please note: you don’t really need all these supplies. A ball point pen and the back of an envelope could suffice. Please never let wanting better materials stop you from at least using the ones you have.

Having said that, I love good quality art materials, which I have found really make a difference in the level of my satisfaction with the results of what I produce. And just like with reading material or meal ingredients, I like variety, which helps keep me engaged.

So if you are in the market to join me as my new Sketchbook Ideas series unfolds, consider getting some of these supplies. You asked to know what I use, so I’ve linked it all here. Pick and choose what you think you’ll like and will actually use. At the bare minimum, go for one pad and a pack of pens. You know what will float your boat best.

Links for good sketchbook paper options:

An inexpensive drawing pad with white paper, which is thin enough to be also used for collage: Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper Pad – 9″ x 12″, 24 Sheets

A more expensive white sketchbook with thicker paper with a hard black cover to keep your work more like a journal, which also acts as a support if you are drawing in your lap. It also has a spiral binding so you can still tear things out if you want to: Stillman & Birn Epsilon Series Sketchbook – 12″ x 9″, Portrait, Wirebound, 50 Sheets

A large drawing pad of black paper: Canson XL Black Drawing Pad – 12″ x 9″, wire bound

A small, inexpensive drawing pad with oatmeal toned recycled paper, thin enough to collage: Strathmore 400 Series Recycled Toned Sketch Pad – 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″, 50 Sheets, Warm Tan

A small, inexpensive drawing pad with gray toned recycled paper, thin enough to collage:: Strathmore 400 Series Recycled Toned Sketch Pad – 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″, 50 Sheets, Cool Gray

A more expensive three color (black/grey/tan) sketchbook, with thicker paper and a hard black cover to keep your work more like a journal, but with a spiral binding so you can still tear things out: Stillman & Birn Nova Trio Series Toned Spiralbound Sketchbook – 10″ x 7″, 17 pages of each color

Links for good pencils and pens:

Micron permanent pens in black, of various sizes. Less expensive but don’t last as long: Sakura Pigma Micron Pens – Set of 8, Black, Assorted Sizes

Staedtler black pigment liners, various sizes. More expensive but last longer without drying up so fast: Staedtler Pigment Liners – Black, Assorted Sizes, Set of 8

A small charcoal pencil set in a tin: Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Charcoal Pencil Set

Gray Scale Brush Pens: Tombow Dual Brush Pens – Gray Scale Colors, Set of 10

Pack of white gel pens, various sizes: Sakura Gelly Roll Opaque White Pens – Set of 6

The white gel pens run out very fast (two full pages in the large black sketchbook= 1 pen!!), so I also recommend getting them separately. I like the bold tip ones the best: Sakura Gelly Roll Opaque White Pen – Bold Tip

Definitely get a Posca marker in white. Great on colored papers, it also can fix pen and ink mistakes on white paper. Additionally, it is a best friend in my mixed media art journal:  Uni Posca Paint Marker – White, Bullet Tip, 2.5 mm

Small set of colored permanent ink pens: Staedtler Pigment Liners – Assorted Colors, Set of 6 (PS: I have but don’t like at all a version by sharpie, so I’d caution you away from that. They are guaranteed to bleed through most papers.)

A small inexpensive set of colored brush pens:  Tombow Dual Brush Pens – Set of 6, Celebration Colors

A large set of expensive, colored brush pens (I’ve had mine for a decade and they are still going strong): Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens – Assorted Colors, Set of 48

A small set of artist quality crayons (I have a larger set): Caran d’Ache Neocolor I Wax Pastels – Assorted Colors, Set of 10

The smallest set of the best colored pencils (I’m spoiled; I have a larger set). These have better consistency and pigment load than cheap colored pencils: Luminance Colored Pencil Set – Assorted Colors, Set of 12

Favorite plastic eraser: Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser – Single Eraser

Kneaded erasers are terrific too: General’s Kneaded Eraser – Large

That’s my whole drawing arsenal. Pick and choose from it. Don’t be overwhelmed. I’ve built my collection over time. I hope you do join along with some sort of paper and an assortment of drawing implements, as this new sketchbook series of exercises unfolds. Consider it a free class on meditation as much as drawing. No drawing experience is necessary, which is why we’re doing it freshly and frequently– for fun!

I hope you are getting started already on some of the exercises in last week’s post!

Thanks for your interest!