I'm often asked about my journey as an artist, which began during the pandemic in 2020. With many jewellery stores closed due to lockdowns in the UK, I found myself with ample time at home to explore a new hobby connected to gemmology.
The first step was to determine which medium worked best for me. As a self-proclaimed Amazon fan, I quickly stocked up on art supplies with just a few clicks.
I experimented with various materials, including pencils, watercolours, gouache, acrylics, and marker pens. However, my favourite is the Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils, which produce vivid colours and are easy to blend.
For those interested, here is a list of the drawing and painting materials I use.
I have also included an Amazon link to the products for easy purchase.
The Classic Black Pencil (Your best friend)
I use Staedtler Mars Clutch 2mm Pencil.
This is a fantastic and affordable pencil that will last your a very long time. I got mine from Amazon for £8.00. Refills are 6 in a pack for £5.00
Leadholder for drawing, sketching and writing
For 2 mm leads e.g. Mars carbon 200
With metal clip, push-button and grip zone
Integrated lead sharpener in push-button
HB lead
Hardness-degree indication on clip
Link to Amazon Product - Pencil - https://amzn.to/3FogX1L
Link to Amazon Product - Refills - https://amzn.to/404pX4f
The Must-Have Sharpeners
This is a must if you use Coloured pencils as if you aren't sharpening them, your lines are not going to be refined. I use 2 sharpeners, the first one is by Staedler for my Black Pencil, and the other one is by Faber-Castell for all of my coloured pencils
Faber-Castell Trio Pencil Sharpener Tub Box GRIP 2001 Silver
Trio sharpening box for graphite and colour pencils, standard and jumbo sizes
Ergonomic triangular shape
Large container for sharpening
Link to Amazon Product - https://amzn.to/3JicOxd
Price: Around £5
Staedtler Mars Lead Pointer Tub - Sharpener For 2mm Pencil Leads
Sharpener for 2 mm leads
Automatic sharpening stop
With measurement device for adjusting sharpening cone
Metal lead sharpener
Integrated dust wiper
Link to Amazon Product - https://amzn.to/3ZMlAdU
Price: Around £10
Eraser
This is so important to me as without it, I could not complete one of my drawings. This Electric eraser from Amazon brand Eono is super fun to use and takes seconds to remove the excess pencil marks and any mistake lines you may do (we are not perfect so it's normal to make mistakes)
Here is a bit more about this eraser:
Good quality, reliable and comes with 22 replacement refills (Diameter 2.3mm 10 pcs and 5mm 12 pcs), easy to remove and replace.
Controlling it with a small button, and a light touch are all required to remove marks, The ergonomic plastic handle makes the electric eraser very comfortable to hold.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, the Electric Eraser is equally suitable for hobby artists and professionals alike --Powered by 2 AAA batteries (not included).
Suitable for graphite, coloured and pastel pencils, Ideal for small highlight, work well for drawing, office or school work
Link to Amazon Product - https://amzn.to/3K0I7hY
Price: Around £8
Faber Castell Kneadable Art Eraser
After I draw my facets and the lines of the project I'm working on I tend to remove most of the pencil marks with this Kneadable Eraser from Faber-Castell by simply dabbing the eraser on the lines and you see how they disappear.
Ergonomically shaped quality eraser for soft corrections, which is smudge and PVC-free
KNEADABLE – This eraser is extremely kneadable and absorbent. It can be used for cleaning slides and final drawing touch-ups.
Ideal – This eraser is ideal for graphite and coloured pencils. It is the perfect drawing eraser choice for artists, sketch pencils and drawing supplies. It can correct and lighten Charcoal, pencil and pastel work
Essential – This is a must-have
Link to Amazon Product -https://amzn.to/3Z7T8SE
Price: Around £3
Art Paper
Paper is very important when it comes to working with different mediums. I have tried quite a few but keep coming back to my first which is by Clairefontaine and it's called
Paint-On
A real mix-media, this paper is suitable for drawing with pencil, felt-tip pen or pen but is also perfectly suited to gouache, ink or acrylic. This PEFC-certified paper is acid-free and pH-neutral for perfect preservation of drawings over time.
MATCHING PAINTON PAPER: this 100% cellulose paper is THE perfect compromise between dry and wet techniques! Thanks to its heavy weight, this versatile paper resists scratching and supports several coats. It also has good absorption capacity.
Did I say that this paper is also available in different colours and sizes? I tend to use the White A4 size and if I need an A5, I just cut the A4 in half.
Clairefontaine - Ref 975410C - Paint'ON Multi-Technique Assorted Colour Paper Pad (24 Sheets) - A4 Size, 250gsm
Great for beginners as with this pack you will get 6 different colours to work with
Link to Amazon Product - https://amzn.to/42xgd43
Price: Around £10
Clairefontaine - Ref 96537C - Paint'ON Multi-Technique Glued Paper Pad (40 Sheets) - A4 Size, 250gsm
Link to Amazon Product - https://amzn.to/40pKEY5
Price: Around £10
Clairefontaine - Ref 975169C - Paint'ON Multi-Technique Black Paper Pad (20 Sheets) - A4 Size, 250gsm
Link to Amazon Product - https://amzn.to/42uqApt
Price: Around £10
Clairefontaine - Ref 96540C - Paint'ON Multi-Technique Naturel Paper Pad (30 Sheets) - A4 Size, 250gsm
Link to Amazon Product - https://amzn.to/3lGippk
Price: Around £10
Clairefontaine - Ref 975809C - Paint'ON Multi-Technique Grey Glued Paper Pad (30 Sheets) - A4 Size, 250gsm
Link to Amazon Product - https://amzn.to/3JDWPdi
Price: Around £10
Coloured Pencils
I'm obsessed with the Faber-Castell Polychromos Coloured Pencils as they are so vivid
and very easy to blend, I've been using them pretty much since day one and am so used to them. Practice getting the right pressure and coverage right.
Faber-Castell Polychromos artists' colour pencils from Faber Castell are of the highest quality. Their soft waterproof waxy leads are smooth and resistant to smudging.
Polychromos artists’ colour pencils are valued for their matchless quality by professional artists around the world. Their high standard ensures that Polychromos artists' colour pencils are ideal for use in the graphic arts, for free artistic expression, and for the precise colouring of plans. Faber-Castell's quality standards are applied consistently throughout the manufacturing process.
Download a FREE Polychromos Colour Swatch here to print at home