Learning objectives
■ How to arrange your subjects
■ Understand the materials needed
■ Practise graphite pencil techniques
I was once asked what basic art materials I would want if I were limited to just a few items. I answered, without hesitation, some pencils. So much can be done, finished works as well as sketches, with three or four B-grade pencils, a medium putty rubber, a sharp pencil sharpener and Hot-pressed watercolour paper or Bristol board.
Good quality pencils are important. I normally use Faber-Castell or Caran d’Ache Grafwood, as cheap pencils can be scratchy and unpleasant to use and the quality of the marks they make less easy to control. Acid-free paper is also important, as this won’t yellow with
