Art Materials

Art Materials for each Year of Study

Each Year of Art supply adds onto the previous year, so if you have a student starting in Year II, they will need Year I and Year II art supplies.  Think of each year as adding to your arsenal of art tools, you will reuse them several times.

We work hard to keep the art supply list short, affordable and easily stored.  Please reach out if you have any questions.  These links are for your convenience.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Foundations of Drawing and Drawing From your Imagination

Year I: Semester I & II Art Supplies

 These supplies are used not just through year 1 but also throughout every year of curriculum from here forward.  So it is worth buying good art supplies when necessary. Each set costs on average about $30/set. And you can have two students share a set.

 In the list below, we chose the cheapest items when possible, and quality items when necessary. The product brand does affect the quality of most items such as pencils, paper and kneaded erasers. There are some items that the brand of product does not matter, such as block erasers and blending stumps.  

  • Paper:
    Pad of Paper:     (Ideal for in Class work)
    Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad, 9x12 inch, 100 Sheets, Glue BoundPaper: https://amzn.to/4eyAZWy
    OR
    Sketchbook     (ideal for individual student work at home or in class): 9 x 12 inches Sketch Book, Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad, 1 Pack 100-Sheets (68lb/100gsm), Acid Free https://amzn.to/47QsHHr
  • Pencils: Faber-Castell Graphite Sketch Pencil Set - 6 Graphite Pencils (2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B) This is a good quality pencil set that also has a nice range of soft dark pencils and hard fine pencils. https://amzn.to/4dhjxon
  • Kneaded Eraser: Faber-Castell Erasers - Drawing Art kneaded Erasers, Large Size Grey - 4 Pack: Believe it or not, the brand of the kneaded eraser does matter.  Cheaper no-name brands get dirty faster and turn into the consistency of silly putty. The Kneaded Erasers that we recommend will last much longer: https://amzn.to/4ddfycm
  • Block Eraser: Hi Polimer White Block Eraser: 2 pack
    https://amzn.to/3ZwjQIw
  • Sharpener: Hand held sharpeners are very useful to have in your pencil kit.  It is good for each student to have their own, so that they don't interrupt the class by getting up to sharpen their pencils.
    https://amzn.to/4gqeKUe
  • Blending Stumps: Are optional and any brand can be purchased for this item.  They are nice additions to your art kit and are used in the class videos - so sometimes they are desirable.  Remember you can use an eraser to clean them when they get dirty.
    https://amzn.to/47BmbUP
  • Star Products V212 12" x 18" Velcro Wallet Port, Red Portfolio case: This is used to store finished drawings that are pulled out of the pad of paper
    https://amzn.to/3MSDiHX
  • lasenersm 1 Piece 24 Slot Canvas Pencil Roll Up Case: Optional, Any pencil case will work, but a Pencil Roll is a nice way to store pencils and gives the ability to add additional pencils in the future.
    https://amzn.to/3BeIPWU
  • Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad, 14x17 inch, 100 Sheets, Glue Bound Large paper for final project: Optional
    https://amzn.to/4dkCo1I 
  • Still Life Clamp Light: https://amzn.to/47Cv28r
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Drawing From Nature

Year II: Semester I  Art Supplies

Year II Supplies add onto Year I Supplies.  We have broken Year II art supplies into each semester because in the second semester we introduce a new set of materials for painting with color.  

In this list you will find what is necessary for the Year II Semester I Drawing from life - which incorporates white chalk and toned paper.  These new materials make your drawings really POP!

  • Toned Paper:  
    Sketchbook: Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad, Toned Tan, 5.5x8.5 inch, 50 Sheets.  This is used for 5-6 projects, so you should plan 7 sheets per student.  For example a class of 12 kids would require 2 sketchbooks.  You would pull out the perforated sheets rather than give each child a sketchbook.
    https://amzn.to/3ZxqPRv
  • White Chalk Pencils: https://amzn.to/3BlzbBz
  • Plastic Human Skull Model: We strongly recommended purchasing a plastic human skull for the mid year project of drawing the head in four perspectives.  We spend a while on this project and it is an important art lesson. However, if necessary, photo references can be used instead. Four students can share one Skull. https://amzn.to/3XPUzYu
  • Graphite Powder: Optional, We suggest only one per class.  Graphite Powder is fun but also messy.  Make sure to give the student a very little bit.
    https://amzn.to/4dcABf5
  • Magnifing Glass: Optional. Our course encourages drawing directly from life.  In this course students will draw bug specimens under a lit magnifying glass.  It is very dynamic and makes the class very exciting.  Two students can share one magnifying glass and bug.  However, if this is too complicated, students can also use reference photos for these lessons and skip buying the magnifying glass, bugs or storage case.  Here is the link for the magnifying glass: https://amzn.to/3BnB2Wz
  • 15 Real Cicadas Beetle Bugs Scorpion Insects Specimem Taxidermy Dead Dried Bug Specimens: As previously stated, we encourage drawing from life.  IF you choose to use real bug specimens they can be purchased or you can catch small bugs and euthanize them in a jar with nail polish remover dabbed on a cotton ball.  The other option of course is using reference photos. This set recommended should be enough for an entire class, as two students can share one setup.
  • 18 Pieces Small Plastic Craft 0rganizers and Storage, Transparent Box for storing Bugs: You will need a storage solution for the bug specimens to maintain them from year to year.  Old jewelry boxes work really well, as do clear craft boxes.  Here is something you can purchase if you don't have something you can reuse: https://amzn.to/4gv1Ggv
  • Animal Skull: Deer or Cow skulls seems to easier to come by then you would expect.  Many people know a hunter or friend that has a skull they can borrow. If you cannot find one to borrow, we recommend using a photo reference. If you want to purchase one, Etsy is likely the place to look.  This is a favorite lesson.
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Painting From Nature

Year II: Semester II  Art Supplies

Year II Semester II course introduces painting from nature using Gouache Paint.  The supplies for this course averages about $50/set.  You can have students share sets and get about 4 students to a set in a classroom.  We will use these supplies again in Year III, Semester II.

It's important to remember that painting is still drawing, only with paint.  If any logistics prevent you from purchasing the painting set, you can still do this course with graphite and draw the birds and plants rather than painting them.  You will still improve greatly as an artist.  Don't ever let supplies stop you from drawing. The most important thing is to keep drawing and build your skill. 

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