Art College Crash Course, Lesson 2: The Supply List Trap

Or: why you just bought a $200 ruler you'll never use.

You haven't drawn a single line yet, and you've already spent hundreds of dollars. Welcome to the art school supply list.

The trap

Many art programs hand out long supply lists full of specific, expensive brands. Some of it you'll need. A lot of it you won't. And nobody tells you which is which.

Here's the truth: expensive supplies don't make great artists. Practice does.

The usual suspects

The "professional" sketchbook ($60–$100) - What they say: Archival, handmade paper. - What happens: It's so nice you're scared to draw in it. - What pros use: A cheap sketchbook they aren't afraid to mess up.

The fancy ruler - What they say: Precision-engineered. - What happens: It's a ruler. - What pros use: Any ruler.

The giant oil paint set ($250+) - What they say: Required. - What happens: You're a digital animation major. You use one tube. - What pros use: A few colors they actually need.

The imported kneaded eraser - What happens: You lose it in a week. - What pros use: Whatever eraser is nearby.

The "precision" mechanical pencil ($75) - What happens: It draws exactly like a $1 pencil.

How to beat the trap

Rule 1: Buy cheap until you know what you need. Start with a basic sketchbook and a regular pencil. Upgrade only when a tool is holding you back.

Rule 2: Borrow, share and trade. Ask older students for leftover supplies. Check if your school or library has a supply closet. Trade with friends.

Rule 3: Ask working artists what they use. Most of what professionals use is cheap, reliable and sold at regular stores.

The kit that actually matters

If you're starting today, here's all you need: - A cheap sketchbook or printer paper - A pencil (an HB and a soft 2B or 4B are nice) - An eraser - A pen - Curiosity

If you want to go digital later, a basic tablet and free software like Krita are enough to learn on.

Try this

Draw the same object three times: once with a pencil, once with a pen, and once with whatever's nearby (a marker, a crayon, a ballpoint). Which drawing do you like best? The tool matters less than you think.

Up next

Lesson 3: Your First Critique. How to survive it, and how to actually learn from it.

What's the strangest supply you've ever been told to buy? Tell us in the comments.

The revolution will not be graded.

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