Essential Drawing Tools for Pencil Sketching

I am often asked about the drawing tools I use for sketching. Do I use graphite pencils or charcoal ones? What type of erasers do I use? What tools do I use for shading?
Brief description of the tools is given below and I have also shared the links of all the tools (at best prices on Amazon India) so that you can buy them easily. Just click on the highlighted names of the drawing tools which I recommend for you.

Tutorial video is also given at the end of the blog for better understanding of the tools which you must have.

• 1.PENCILS

I use graphite pencils only. Different grades of pencils are available and I use 2H,H,HB,2B,4B and 6B. Many other grades are also available but these are the most essential ones. Other than these, you can buy a mechanical pencil as well.
Buy these pencils - 6 Graphite Pencils Set , Set of only dark pencils 

• 2.Erasers

Sketching requires different erasers other than the traditional erasers we use in schools. Erasers named as kneadable eraser,electric eraser etc. are available are artists.
All have different types of use. Kneadable eraser can be folded into any desired shape. Electric eraser can be used for fine detailing and for erasing shading done with very dark pencils.

Buy the erasers here - Set of 3 Kneadable erasers , Electric Eraser , Set of 2 Eraser pen

• 3.Blending tools

Blending is done to get realistic and smooth shading with pencils. It can be done with fingers as well but I don't recommend doing that. Various blending tools are available like stumps, Q-Tip(cotton buds),tissue papers,brush etc.
I prefer Stumps the most but I use tissue paper as well.

Buy the blending tools which I use - Best set of 6 stumps

• 4.Sketchbooks

For pencil sketching, I recommend smooth and heavy papers. Blending can be done perfectly on smooth papers.
The best and economical sketchbooks are these ones - A4 size sketchbook , A3 size sketchbook

Here's my Tutorial for the tools required in sketching -