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. 

 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:
    Sketchbook     : 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. If you already have one, then skip this item.
    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
  • 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
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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.  
    https://amzn.to/3ZxqPRv
  • White Chalk Pencils: https://amzn.to/3BlzbBz
  • Plastic Human Skull Model: Optional: 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.  https://amzn.to/3XPUzYu
  • Graphite Powder: Optional, Graphite Powder is fun but also messy.  Make sure to use 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.  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
  • 1 Real Cicadas Beetle 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. 
  • 1 Real Stag Beetle 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. https://amzn.to/4eaxTrW
  • 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.   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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