Mr. Grissom's Recommended Art Supplies
I always get asked about the tools I use to create my art, and what supplies I recommend for young artists, so I made this resource so everyone could see what they are.
These are not what you need for our live classes. Typically, all you need is any pencil, paper, eraser, black marker or pen, and any basic coloring utensils.
With that said, when you're ready to upgrade your arsenal, here are my favorites and exactly what I and many of our Kids Cartoon Academy members use.
Note: Kids Cartoon Academy receives a tiny commission as an Amazon Associate if you purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. These are still the lowest cost links I've found and they are all supplies I've personally used. But in many cases, the brand doesn't matter and your local art store will have great selections.
Pens, Markers, & Brushes
NewMy Top Pick
Bianyo Dual-Tip Alcohol Markers, 180 Count
These are brand new and they've become what I reach for most. Each marker has a brush tip on one end and a chisel tip on the other, so your child can ink fine details and fill large areas with the same pen. They blend beautifully and the 180-color set covers just about anything they'll want to draw. If your child loves that bold, 3D cartoon look, start here.
Ohuhu Alcohol Markers, 120 Count
This is another great brand for alcohol markers. These are a great option, and your child can make great art with these. They are a world ahead of typical markers like Crayola. They blend well and have a variety of beautiful colors. They're also refillable!
White Gel Pens
White Gel Pens are a bright, opaque white ink that's perfect for highlights.
Get this OR a white Posca marker OR the white charcoal pencils. You don't need all three. They serve the same purpose.
Extra Fine White PoscaĀ Marker
Fine tipped white Posca markersĀ also create great opaque highlights.
Get this ORĀ the white gel penĀ OR the white charcoal pencils. You don't need all three. They serve the same purpose.
White Charcoal Pencils
Perfect for translucent highlights. You only need a single pencil, not a whole set. But it's hard to find a single one online. This set is affordable. You can probably get them in your local art store though.
Get this OR a white Posca marker OR the white gel pen. You don't need all three. They serve the same purpose.
My Favorite PaperĀ for Alcohol Markers (My Top Pick!)
These are a bargain! This is actually nice printing copy paper, but works surprisingly well for alcohol-based markers. It's definitely the most affordable blending paper and definitely works better than a regular sketch pad. You can blend well and it doesn't bleed too badly. I use these all the time. Downside is it's not in a sketchbook, but a clipboard works well to keep them together.
Posca Market set
These are acrylic paint pens that are so much fun to use. This is a large broad tipped set but you can get smaller ones. They can be used on more than just paper-paint rocks, wood, glass, clothing, etc. But they are as easy to control as a marker. I love using these, and the colors are just beautiful!
New
Bianyo Sketch Liner Inking Pens, 12 Pen Set
These are my new favorite inking pens, and one set covers everything I need when I ink. Eight fineliner sizes, from a hair thin 0.05 up to a bold 1.0, give you a variety of sizes and thicknesses, and fineliners are easy to control, which is why they work so well for kids and professionals alike. The two brush tips do what I love about brush pens. They make a great even line, but you can still vary the line weight when you want by intentionally applying more pressure. Two chisel tips round it out for filling in large black areas. The ink is waterproof, fade proof, and light fast.
Pentel Arts Portable Pocket Brush Pen (Medium Point)
I'm obsessed with this brush pen (and pretty much any brush pen by Pentel). It's the standard professionalĀ brush pen that cartoon and comic artists around the world use as their go-to inking tool. It's not for beginning artists though. It takes some hand-eye coordination and practice to get better at using. But it's so versatile, makes beautiful lines, and is fun to play with.
Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Refills, Black Ink / Set of 12
The pen on the left is refillable so get these refill cartridges to that when the pen runs dry, you can just screw the top off, and replace the cartridge. It's super easy. And affordable.
Pencils
My Favorite Pencil
First, you should know that pencils don't matter much in my opinion. Generally, any basic pencil does a fine job. ButĀ with that said...personally I'm obsessed with this pencil! The bigger lead helps me sketch quicker, lighter lines and getĀ a rough draft down on the paper. I can't recommend it enough for young artists who are already used to drawing lightly and loosely. If you're still gripping a little too tight and not yet able to sketch light and loose then I'd hold off on this and stick to a thinner lead.
Lead for My Favorite Pencil
In case you're wondering, "B" refers to the softness of the graphite. 4B produces a bold, dark line that's great for drawing. The higher the number before the B, the softer the graphite, and the darker and richer the lines it produces. Of course, it's all about personal preference. I've been enjoying using 4B lately!
Overall, these lead refills are a great value for anyone who draws regularly.
Ā
Graphite Sketch Pencil Set ā 6 Graphite Pencils (2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B)
A simple sketch set like this is the ultimate gift for your young artist, especially if they want to improve at shading.Ā
The higher the H-number, theĀ harderĀ the lead, andĀ harderĀ you have to push on the paper.Ā On the other hand, the higher the B numbers, theĀ softerĀ the lead is, which means you don't have to apply as much pressure. They easily make darker lines and darker values for better shading.
Personally, I love the darker leads (4B and up), but 2H can be useful at times too. It's fun to let kids experiment with the different types and choose their favorite.
Blending Stump
This isĀ perfect for achieving smooth and precise shading effects in pencil drawings but not necessary. AĀ Q-tip can also be used effectively as an alternative tool for blending and shading.
Faber-Castell LARGE Pencil Eraser
This eraser is a great choice as it leaves behind minimal mess compared to many other erasers.
Drawing Paper
Honestly my favorite paper for daily drawings-HP Printer Paper |Ā So cheap!
The cheapest paper I use, perfect for practice and sketches because it's so easily replaceable. It encourages making mistakes which is essential for growth! I actually color a lot of great art on it with markers, but it bleeds some. It's what I use inĀ almost all ofĀ my live teaching classes. The only downside is it's loose paper, so you might need a clipboard or notebook to keep track of it all.
If I'm making art for a frame or a commission or something, I'll choose one of the papers below.
UCreate® Black Poly Sketch Book
This one is great for daily sketching. The pages are perforated, which makes it nice to tear one out for a frame or the fridge, and the wire binding keeps it all together in one place. I also love what UCreate stands for, giving kids affordable, quality paper so they stay confident to keep creating through the tween years.
Inking Paper
This is Bristol Paper which is perfect for pencil, markers, colored pencil, and especially inking. I use it all the time since I love my brush pens so much
Sketchbook
Quality, affordable paper for sketching, drawing, and coloring. The classic go-to paper. But any sketch paper is fine. You can find cheaper ones in stores and they work almost just as well.
Digital Tools
2021 Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro (WiāFi, 128GB)
This is what I do all of my digital art on. It is an investment, but is easy to use and is an incredible professional powerhouse of a machine for creating digital art. I use the app Procreate which is only $9.99 in the App Store. Other digital drawing programs like Ibis or Adobe Fresco/Sketch may work too. I haven't used all of them, so to make sure your child gets the full experience from my class, you would need to make sure their app has the ability to import a photo, create multiple layers, lower opacity of a layer, and use different digital brushes.Ā
Apple Pencil
This works incredible well with the iPad Pro. It's pressure sensitive just like a real brush, which is how I create those thin and thick lines (variation in line weight) to make my characters look the way they do. It's also more responsive than a typical stylus.
Watercolor
Big Travel Set
This one has some cool waterbrush pens. You just fill these pens with water and squeeze to get the water into the brush. You don't need an extra cup of water and don't have to worry about spills. Kids also love the wide assortment of colors.
Tiny Travel Set
This one comes with a conventional brush. There aren't many colors becauseĀ you have to mix the colors to get the color you desire (which is what artists should eventually learn anyways). Small and you can take it anywhere. I love it.
BudgetĀ Paint Set
The ones above are nicer sets, so if your child might not ever use watercolor again, you might be better off just purchasing a more cost-effective set like this or another cheaper one from your local craft store. Limited colors force students to learn to mix the colors to achieve their desired color. Takes a while to do that though.
Strathmore Paper 300 Series Watercolor Class Pack
I do recommend watercolor paper because otherwise the paper will curl and tear when water is added. Paper like this works great. The brand doesn't matter, as long as it's clearly labeled "watercolor" paper.
BudgetĀ 48-Color Set
Very affordable.Ā Great for brand new beginners or younger kids who want all the colors without learning how to mix them.
Paint Brush Set
This paintbrush set is a great option for beginners and artists on a budget. These brushes are versatile, asĀ the can be used for acrylic, watercolor, and oil painting.
Books
Most of what I've learned about art has come from books. Here are my favorites!
How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way
Written by the legendary comics maker Stan Lee, this book is often found in many pro illustrators' libraries. Superhero and Marvel fans will especially love this book. It is a must-have classic for anyone who loves comics.
Cartoon Animation with Preston Blair, Revised Edition
This one is a classic for illustrators and animators. Want to draw in that classic Disney style? This book will show you how. It's a little more advanced than a simple step-by-step instructional book.
How to Draw Manga: Basics and Beyond!
If your child wants to learn anime and manga drawing, this is a must-have. I've learned a lot from this one. For beginners and advanced students.
How to Draw Cute Stuff: Draw Anything and Everything in the Cutest Style Ever! (Volume 1)
Want to draw cute stuff? This is an awesome book for beginners and advanced artists. Basics, fundamentals, and a few more advanced concepts.
Fundamentals of Character Design: How to Create Engaging Characters for Illustration, Animation & Visual Development
My favorite book for character design. Awesome visuals, great instructions and explanations, and lots of inspiration. I learned a lot from this! For more experienced young artists.
Fundamentals of Creature Design: How to Create Successful Concepts Using Functionality, Anatomy, Color, Shape & Scale
For more experienced artists who are into creating their own creatures. This book is EPIC. I learned a lot from it. Full of fundamentals for beginning creature designers, advanced concepts, and lots of inspiring art.
Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Animals
Ed Emberley taught me to be an artist as a child. So much nostalgia! This is what got me drawing as a young child. It's for beginner artists. Using simple shapes to make a ton of cute creatures and characters.
