Drawing is an artistic endeavor that provides numerous mediums of expression. Many artists who draw specialize in one medium or another, while some prefer to use different mediums. Drawing mediums can even be combined to create a wide range of artistic expressions. Regardless of the medium you choose, any artist who pursues drawing should at least become familiar with the various mediums available.
Pencil
Standard pencils are often used for sketching. Pencils come in a variety of lead styles, ranging from very soft to hard. The lower the number, the softer the lead. Soft leads are used for adding shades and tones, while the harder leads are used to draw outlines. Many artists use a combination of these pencil types in their sketches. Some artists use colored pencils for sketching, or combine colored pencil with lead pencil in some instances.
Charcoal and Graphite
Charcoal and graphite are two drawing mediums that emphasize the use of shading. Charcoal is black and extremely messy to use. Many artists use charcoal pencils to help create lines, but a lot of artists use blocks of charcoal to create drawings by applying the charcoal in wide strokes that lack distinct lines.
Graphite can be used in the same way as charcoal. It's extremely soft and similar to lead in its make up.
Pen and Ink
Pen and ink drawings use ink pens and jar inks, such as India ink. Pen artists use a range of pens in a variety of colors for sketching techniques, calligraphy pens for lettering and India ink for shading. You'll find pens for artists available in many different tip styles, to provide the same variations of line and shading as pencil artists are afforded.
Watercolor Pencils
Watercolor pencils offer artists who draw the best of drawing and painting mediums. The material in watercolor pencils is activated by water, allowing sketch artists and other artists interested in drawing the ability to combine watercolor painting techniques with drawing techniques.
Markers
Children may use colored markers in their coloring books, but artists can work in marker, as well. The range of tip sizes in markers allows an artist to select smaller, harder-tipped markers suitable for tackling a drawing project from beginning to end, including the drawing and coloring elements of the work.
Writer Bio
Carl Hose is the author of the anthology "Dead Horizon" and the the zombie novella "Dead Rising." His work has appeared in "Cold Storage," "Butcher Knives and Body Counts," "Writer's Journal," and "Lighthouse Digest.". He is editor of the "Dark Light" anthology to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.
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