We handle it every day in more forms than we even realize. More often than not, we take it for granted. However, what we DO NOT do is analyze papers based on our needs. In my art, I look for papers that are heavyweights…papers that are at least 100 lb weight. They are thicker than usual for art and far thicker than that used for printing and copying documents. But then comes the decision on the toothiness of the paper. Is it smooth or is it textured? I find that a smoother paper works better than one that is textured, and since I use a lot of brushes in my work, I love me a good smooth, thick, paper. There is no need to run out and buy the expensive Arches papers when you are learning and developing your techniques. Arches papers are amazing and can be purchased in rolls as well as precut sizes. However, a roll of this amazing medium can easily cost more than $400. Yeah….. not needed at this stage. Strathmore makes an incredible heavyweight multimedia paper that is smooth and easy to work on and in available in sizes precut up to 18”X24”. It holds graphite and charcoal extremely well and the best part……it won’t break the bank! Start selecting your materials now. When we get some more members we will start diving in from the very beginning. Have fun shopping for your materials and tools! If you have any questions, feel free to post them below!

I’d like everyone to introduce themselves and tell us a little bit of what brought you here, your goals, and what you’d like to accomplish. I’ll start it off….. My name is Naomi and I’m a wife and a grandmother. I fell hard in love with art not long after I developed a debilitating illness that almost took me out. I WAS a restaurant manager….past tense. My bronchiectasis left me with a truckload of anxiety so severe, I developed lesions on my brain. As a way of coping, I threw myself into photography in college. I took a drawing class for the credit and thought “Well, this is gonna suck!” Long story short, it didn’t. My professor pulled skills out of me that I didn’t know was possible. Before I knew it, I had pieces hanging in art shows. Some of them traveled to two or three shows before they came back home. Some are now owned. The same techniques that were used on me to bring out my skills are the very same ones that I will be using on you. Feel free to email or message me with questions.

Hello all! There are several things that you will need for this class. Supplies do not need to be expensive to be effective, but they do need to be decent. I don’t care if you work with charcoal or graphite…. The choice is yours. I work in both, sometimes on the same piece. The irony is that I use just one hardness of pencil throughout the entire drawing, but you can use multiple hardnesses if you so choose. Your paper needs to be your number one concern. It should be medium to heavy weight and be smooth. A good multimedia paper will do the trick. 18”x 24” should be the maximum size and be no smaller than 11” x 14”. For now. You’ll also need: Kneaded eraser Charcoal or graphite pencils Blending stumps Proportional divider (this keeps all of your proportions correct in your art) Ruler Ebony graphite pencils; woodless is best (these are optional but they are my faves) Sharpener Eraser pen A good drawing kit will have a great assortment of both charcoal AND graphite pencils, along with a few other goodies. Airways be on the lookout for sales at your local craft/hobby store. Hobby Lobby is my go-to followed by Amazon and Michael’s. Happy shopping and I’ll see you soon!