MATERIALS

• Paper: For this demonstration I used a sheet of Stone Henge torn in half. You can purchase it in a range of tones. I like soft, warm tones; they are easy to frame, easy to hang in homes and give the picture a sense of warmth. Other times and particularly for pen work I love Arches HP 300gsm watercolour paper.

• Pencils: I use a combination of Rotring mechanical pencils in sizes .35, .5 and .7. They don’t go blunt like normal pencils and allow me to keep a consistency in my line work. I use H, HB, B, and 2B leads in these.

I need a blend of hard and soft pencils to achieve my techniques and so I love General Kimberley and Derwent Graphic pencils. I use a range of B, 2B, 4B, and 7B when needed.

• Blending stumps: Used to smooth strokes and spread soft shading. I use a variety of sizes.

• Erasers: These are not just for mistakes but are an important tool. I used Derwent kneadable rubbers, Derwent soft rubbers and a hard rubber for strong highlighting.

• Sharp knife: To cut sharp edges into my erasers.

• Support: I have a large drawing desk that I use, but if I need to be mobile I will tape down my paper to a strong piece of board with a laminated surface such as MDF. I don’t like to use clips as they shift and can dig into your paper.

• Fixative: I only use this at the end as it interferes with the surface I am drawing on, leaving a grit that creates a texture that I am not wanting to show. I will only use a fixative that says it is non-yellowing.

• Spare paper: I use a piece of A4 paper to rest under my hand at all times to prevent smudging and transfer of oils from my skin onto the paper.