Shifting Lines Supply List
updated August 2026
When it comes to art supplies, there are so many options, it can be hard to chose. And what was my favorite pen, or journal one month, can change quickly throughout the seasons. So, I put together this comprehensive list of my (still) favorite materials that I use out in the field and/or in the studio.
Most mediums will work for this project (no acrylics or oils) and will be your choice. I recommend bringing a variety of items you already own.
- Sketchbook for notes
- Your favorite drawing/sketching tools
graphite pencils (hard and soft)
water soluble graphite pencils
pens with different nib sizes,
colored pencils and/or markers,
charcoal pencils
any other of your favorites
- Dry mediums
colored pastels (pan or stick),
charcoal or graphite powder or stick,s.
oil pastels, Caran d-ache crayons, Inktense, etc)
- Wet mediums
bottled inks
acrylic ink
watercolors
water-soluble pencils
Caran d/ache crayons
- 2 or 3 medium size brushes of different sizes (e.g. ½" and 1” flat brushes, and a #12 round)
-white polymer erasers
-makeup sponges or cotton balls and cotton swabs (for smearing and blending)
-rag or paper towels
-container for water
-tape (blue or masking)
-24” x 32” smooth (Masonite or similar) drawing board
*note: we will be working on large 22”x30” synthetic paper that I provide. I recommend a board with a smooth working surface, cut to 24”x 32” to hold your paper
-small mixing palette/tray
-small water spray bottle
-hair dryer
-latex gloves
INSTRUCTOR will bring a wide assortment of materials to play with:
Mineral Paper and Mixed Media paper (included in student fee)
Extra supplies for students to try; watercolors, gouache, brushes, pens, graphite powder, charcoal, colored inks, drawing sticks, colored pencils, Ink Intense blocks, Lyra graphite pencils, etc
Paper smudges/blenders
Small water spray bottles
Tape and scissors
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My Favorites
a comprehensive supply list and resources:
Sketchbook, Journal, or paper to sketch on-papers vary greatly; so you might want more than one journal/sketchbook of varying sizes and paper thickness (5x7 or larger). Personally, I prefer hot press watercolor paper or mixed media paper. Here's a few favorites:
Global Art Hand Book
Travel Series Sketchbooks
Strathmore Mixed Media 400 series 117 lb
Canson Mixed Media Sketchbooks
Stillman and Birn, series
Fabriano Artistico Hot Press Paper 140lb for folded travel journals
Black Ink pens, Waterproof: Use a variety of nib sizes (thin, fine and medium nibs for example). Popular waterproof brands are:
Micron,
Steadtler,
Copic,
Uni PIN fine liner,
Faber-Castell,
OHTO Graphic Liner, rollerball
Black Ink pens, NON-waterproof
Pilot Precise with a rollerball nib, as the ink flows beautifully, for a non-waterproof option.
Fountain pens
Sailer Fude, my favorite sketching pen
Lamy is also a popular fountain pen style.
Fountain pen ink: my ''go-to inks are:
-Platinum Carbon Black Waterproof- very rich, black, quick drying
-Lexington Gray Waterproof- dries to look like a #2 pencil
-Noodler’s Golden Brown, NOT waterproof, but a beautiful bright golden hue
Brush pens (come pre-filled with ink): These are gradually becoming a standard in my go-to bag
Ecoline Brush Pen-water soluble (favorites being gray tones: #704, 706, 717, 728)
Gasenfude brush pen Waterproof- by Copic has a fine synthetic brush nib, waterproof pigment that does NOT bleed with regular copic markers. Rich, solid black ink.
Pentel brush marker- non-waterproof option, comes in variety of colors
Colored Pencils and sharpener:
‘Prismacolor’ or
Faber-Castell Polychromos oil-based colored pencils. You only need 5-10 colors of the rainbow.
Compact Watercolor travel kit or watercolor Tubes and half pans to fill (we can discuss this more in class). When it comes to watercolors, quality matters, so again, avoid craft or student grade. Quality affordable brands:
Winsor-Newton professional,
Daniel Smith,
or these lovely Watercolor Crayons: Caran d'Ache Neocolor. Beautifully made in Switzerland and high quality.
Ecoline Brush Markers by Royal Talens- I love these for adding quick shadows when watercolors are inconvenient, especially #704
Pentel Water Brush (large size only), OR assortment of short handle round brushes. I recommend 1 medium sizes (8, or 10, or 12), and a smaller #4 or #5 round. These don't have to be expensive or professional grade brushes. Some artists like flat brushes too (1/2" or 3/4").
Container or bag to hold everything for sketching in the field. Think travel size-something easy to carry (daypack, shoulder bag, cloth bag. I like a heavy cloth bag with a long strap that I can carry over my shoulder. It keeps my supplies at hand while I walk the city sites.
And more misc products:
Colored markers for accents
White Gouache
Small stool -(so many choices, read here for partial review)
Cretacolor Nero soft, for a very rich black line
Graphite pencils (especially 2h, h, hb, 2b)
Micron pen, Sepia 005 (.20mm)
Paper stumps for blending graphite
Rapesco 64 pencil sharpener
Kneaded eraser
Tombow Mono Zero polymer refillable eraser
Helping Hands seems silly, but I love this little thing to hold plants while I sketch
small pad of sandpaper for sharpening paper stumps and graphite pencils
assortment of short handle watercolor brushes, rounds
Water Container
Lyra Rembrandt splendor blender for blending oil colored pencils
Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils
Faber-Castell Polychromos oil-based colored pencils.
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