So you want to learn how to draw cartoons? Here's some of the equipment you'll need.
Everything can be found at an art supply store or sometimes an office supply store, and it will cost you less than $20 or so.
The first thing you will need is a basic sketch book.
You can choose whatever size you want.
Some people like to have a small one to keep in their pocket or backpack at all times.
That way, if they get an idea for something, they can jot it down.
Or if you are riding the bus or subway, or waiting in line somewhere, or see someone that looks funny and would make a great character, you can pull it out and start drawing them right there.
(Don't get caught! Not everyone likes to be made into a cartoon.
) It's also a good idea to have a larger one, about the size of a sheet of paper.
9 inches by 12 inches is a good size.
Most papers these days are acid free, but if you have a choice, I suggest getting the acid free, because it will not turn yellow over time.
I have a few drawings I made long ago that I wanted to keep, but the paper has turned yellow, because it wasn't acid free.
So I suggest using it, because you may want to keep some of your drawings.
I also like to get a pad of Bristol board.
That's like a heavier paper or a light cardboard.
When you make finished drawings, you can use markers and felt pens on it, and they won't bleed through, like they will with lighter weight paper.
Next you will need something to draw with.
I like to use a variety of drawing pencils.
They are labeled with numbers and letters, like 2H, 2B, 4B, etc.
I prefer to use 2B, 4B, and 6B pencils.
The larger the number, the softer the graphite.
You can get darker blacks with a 6B pencil.
Get a few different ones to start with, and over time, you'll see which you prefer.
The H stands for "hard," and the B stands for "black.
" You will need erasers to clean up unwanted lines.
I use two types.
One is a kneaded eraser, which is a gray block.
To use it, you pinch it like play dough, to any shape you want, then erase with it.
It's perfect when you want to erase just one dot or skinny line of color.
The other type of eraser is just a soft white, plastic eraser.
I like the white kind made in Japan.
Do not get the pink ones, because they will tear up your paper, and they deteriorate quickly.
Same for the pink erasers on the end of your school pencils.
Never use those for your drawings.
Finally, to do your final artwork, you will need a good black pen.
I usually use the cheap felt tip markers, but you can pay a lot of money for specialty marking pens just for drawing or drafting.
I don't feel like I need to spend so much money, so the cheaper ones work fine.
If you want to add color to your work, you can use markers or color pencils.
You can start with a cheaper set and wait until you know you are serious to get more expensive markers and pencils.
You'll know they are the good ones, because you will be able to buy them separately, usually for a couple of dollars per pen or pencil.
That's it.
If you want to learn how to draw cartoons, that's all the equipment you need.
You can always get more stuff later, like a drawing board for your desk, eraser shields, and other coloring tools.
But these basic supplies will take you very far.
Have fun!