Pre-Drawing

Contents

Intro

How do you feel when you step into an art supply store for the first time? Hundreds of pencils, dozens of paper types, and it’s completely unclear which one is right for whom… It’s a bit intimidating, isn’t it?

Nobody tells you this upfront, but what you actually need in the beginning is very minimal. In fact, a single pencil at hand and a simple sketchbook are more than enough to get you started. Most of those colorful items you see in the store are just waiting there for you to enjoy trying out as you progress down the road.

In this lesson, we will do three things. First, we will clarify what you truly need. Then, we will set up a cozy, comfortable little drawing corner that you will enjoy. And finally, we will create a first drawing to lovingly record your level today. This drawing will put a smile on your face in the coming weeks as you see how much you’ve progressed.

Which Supplies Should I Buy?

To start drawing, all you really need are these four basic companions:

Pencil
Paper or a sketchbook
Eraser
Pencil sharpener

Of course, as you advance over time, you’ll want to try pencils of different grades, textured papers, charcoals, pastels, or a wide variety of supplies. But believe me, none of these is a prerequisite to begin.

Because as the number of supplies increases, our drawing ability doesn’t magically increase with it. You might have twenty different pencils in your drawer, but none of those pencils will open its own cap and draw by itself. What truly develops our drawing is learning to look, really see, and observe with the tool we have in hand.

The Secret Alphabet of Pencils: H, HB, and B

Have you ever noticed the letters printed on the sides of pencils? Most pencils you used in school say “HB.” These letters tell you how hard or soft the pencil core is.

H (Hard): Draws a light, thin, and pale line. It doesn’t smudge the paper much.
B (Black): Draws a dark, soft, and thick line. Ideal for shading.
HB: Right in the middle. Ideal for everyday writing.

The numbers next to the letters indicate how strong that characteristic is. A 2B is softer and darker than a B. A 6B, on the other hand, yields a very soft and very dark line.

To begin, you can buy a set from any brand ranging from HB to 6B. When we start our drawing lessons, we will use harder pencils (HB, 2B) for fine lines and initial sketches, and softer pencils (4B, 6B) for dark shadows.

Paper, Eraser, and Pencil Sharpener

Paper: Choose a slightly thicker paper or a sketchbook instead of office paper. Very thin paper crinkles or tears when erased several times. Sketbook covers usually list the paper weight (gsm). As this number grows, the paper becomes thicker. Paper thicker than standard 80 gsm copy paper will be a good choice for beginners.

Eraser: Two types will serve you well:

Plastic eraser: Cleans large areas neatly.
Kneaded eraser: Can be shaped by hand like soft dough. It is ideal for lightening an area—that is, erasing gently. It does not smudge the drawing.

Pencil Sharpener: A sharp pencil point means clean lines. A small sharpener is sufficient.

Three Options Based on Your Budget

Whichever you choose is entirely up to you. All of them are enough to start drawing.

Minimum Set: 1 HB and 1 2B pencil, a simple sketchbook, an eraser, and a pencil sharpener.
Medium Set: HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B pencils, a medium-weight sketchbook, a plastic eraser, a kneaded eraser, and a pencil sharpener.
Deluxe Set: A broad set of pencils from H to 6B, a higher-quality textured sketchbook, a kneaded eraser, a feather brush (to sweep away eraser shavings), and a portfolio folder to store your drawings.

In my opinion, the right choice for beginners is to start with the minimum. As you begin to enjoy drawing, you can add what you feel is missing. That way, you won’t buy anything unnecessary.

🗂️ Info Archive

The black material inside a pencil is actually not lead, but graphite—a form of carbon mixed with clay. As the proportion of clay in the mixture increases, the pencil becomes harder (H); as it decreases, it becomes softer (B).
The name “lead pencil” stems from graphite historically being mistaken for lead.

📚 Did You Know?

Breadcrumbs were used by artists for centuries to clean charcoal and graphite smudges off paper before the kneaded eraser was invented. Today’s kneaded erasers work on the exact same principle: they don’t scrape the graphite, but absorb and pick it up from the surface.

👁️ Professional Tip

Many professional artists use a utility knife instead of a pencil sharpener. This allows them to shave the wood further back, leaving a long graphite lead exposed. A long lead lets you lay the pencil flat to shade large areas quickly in a single stroke.

Workspace

You don’t need a huge studio or high-ceilinged rooms to draw. Just a small desk, lighting that won’t strain your eyes, and a few peaceful minutes are more than enough.
Still, setting up a neat little space makes it easier to put your mind into “drawing mode” every time you sit down.

Light: If possible, pick a spot by a window. Light should come from the side opposite your drawing hand. That is, if you are right-handed, light should come from the left so your hand’s shadow won’t fall across your drawing and get in your way.
Posture: Are you tensing your shoulders without realizing it while drawing? Take a deep breath and release your shoulders. Keep your back straight. In upcoming lessons, we will learn to pull lines not just from the fingers, but from the shoulder; so leave a comfortable space where your arm can move freely.
Surface: Have a flat, sturdy surface under your paper while drawing. If you like, you can also achieve a slight angle by placing a thick book beneath your sketchbook. Slanted surfaces help preserve your perspective across the entire sheet.

Searching for supplies when you feel like drawing “Where were my things?” is one of the biggest reasons for procrastinating. Keep your materials together in a single box or drawer. The more effortless it is to start, the more drawing turns into an enjoyable break.

Making Drawing a Habit

Learning to draw is not like preparing for an exam. It is like playing an instrument or learning a new language: working for short periods every day helps build your hand skills far better than pushing yourself for hours once a week.

Just 10 minutes a day… Set a timer on your phone; it really doesn’t matter what you draw. A cup on your desk, the keychain in your hand, or just random lines… The important thing is to refresh that connection between your mind and your hand at least once a day.

❓ Note from the Artist

Throughout history, windows in great masters’ studios always faced north. Because “north light” didn’t change direction throughout the day and had no direct sunlight striking through, it provided artists with hours of steady, soft illumination.

Your First Drawing

Now we’ve arrived at the most precious, most exciting part of this lesson…

You might not notice the progress you make every day while learning something. There will actually be wonderful differences between what you draw today and what you’ll draw three weeks from now; but since you are at your paper every day, it’s completely natural to miss this gradual change.

That’s why we are going to create a wonderful baseline record together. We will simply call it “My First Drawing.”

This drawing doesn’t need to be “perfect” or flawless. In fact, please don’t try to correct or beautify your lines. Because our goal isn’t to create an exhibition piece; it is to record your touch today, the first day of your drawing journey, just as it is.

How Will We Do It?

Pick a simple object: Let it be something simple that catches your eye around the house. A coffee cup, an old shoe, an apple, a potted plant, a bottle, or a chair… It doesn’t matter at all what you choose.
Set it live right in front of you: If possible, draw by looking at the object itself, not from a screen or photo.
Set a timer for 10 minutes and draw: Don’t worry at all about how the drawing looks. Proportions might be off, your lines might wobble, shadows might not sit right… None of this is a problem! This isn’t a test; it’s simply your starting line.
Note the date on it: Jot down today’s date and a tiny note in the corner of your drawing: like “My First Drawing — October 8, 2026.”
Keep and protect it: Either keep it in your sketchbook or create a special folder on your phone and take a photo of it. Because we will return to this drawing later on.

Why Are We Keeping Our First Drawing?

Because progress always walks quietly, without making a scene. Sometimes you draw for days, and a feeling might cross your mind like, “I guess I’m not advancing at all, I’m just standing still…”

In those exact moments, you will pull out this first drawing and lay it beside your work. And suddenly you will notice:

How much stronger your lines have become,
How your eye has begun catching proportions effortlessly,
With what a different perspective you now view shadows and details…

To taste the sweet joy of progress, you need to know where you started. Your first drawing is your most honest mirror, whispering to you how beautifully you’ve traveled through time.

🔍 The Spirit of the Era

Even in art history, great masters jealously guarded their earliest sketches. From Picasso’s childhood drawings to Rembrandt’s first doodles, many such works stand today as the most inspiring documents showing how far an artist has traveled. Your 10-minute drawing today will be the very first museum piece of your personal art journey.

💡 Historical Insight

During the Renaissance and Baroque eras, because ready-made tube paints or factory-produced erasers did not exist as they do today, artists worked in their studios much like chemists. For instance, to add light effects and white highlights while drawing, they would grind sea shells or eggshells into powder and use them. They even utilized peacock feathers and dried sponges—in addition to stale breadcrumbs—to lift excess pigment from paper.