NOTE: As of May 2022, we will no longer be selling most art supplies. Make sure you join our email list to receive future recommendations of where you can buy these recommended supplies!
If you really want to take your drawing to the next level, beyond the bare necessities of paper, pencils, and essential tools, and upgrade your arsenal of art supplies, here are some other important tools for the Draw Botanical Method.
Carousel Pencil Holder
This is the “Cadillac” tabletop upgrade for your studio! This pencil holder and all-in-one organizer has been developed collaboratively between Draw Botanical and a local Catskill Fine Woodworker. Together we have created a convenient way to hold pencils, watercolor pencils, and other accessories on a rotating base that makes it easy to spin and get the pencil you’re looking for. There are 64 holes for pencils on a turntable that spins to allow access to pencils and keep them organized. Made of a combination of a bamboo turntable base with a hand-hewn Catskill black cherry wood pencil holder and a mesh metal cup in the center. Watch a video about the Carousel Pencil Holder!
Embossing Tools
Use embossing tools to make fine lines, veining, and numerous stamens! The different sizes allow for use in creating patterns and subtle light tone variations on fine details. Watch a video about how we use embossing tools.
Watercolor Palette
Developed by Caran d’Ache for an easy application of dry, water soluble media such as watercolor pencils, this handy palette is made of frosted white Plexiglas and has two surfaces, each with a different texture.
The palette’s rough surface mimics the texture of paper, which allows dry pigments to grip the surface, and allows for watercolor blending. The smooth side is ideal for use with gouache, acrylics, oils, and watercolors. The Palette Aquarelle fits easily in the hand, with a lightweight design and small size that makes it a great accessory.
Tracing Paper
Tracing paper is always handy for planning a composition or layout. If you’re sketching out ideas or want to try something and see how it works, you can overlay the tracing paper on top of your drawing to get an idea before you commit to doing it on your final drawing. If you’re using your botanical drawing in a larger design, tracing paper is great for building repeating patterns. Some people do their initial drawings on tracing paper and then transfer them to their drawing paper. This particular tracing paper is good quality, not too expensive, and not too thin/wavy/splotchy like some inexpensive tracing papers.
Flower Holder
This flower cup with prongs will hold your flower steady as you draw and it holds water as well, to prevent your flower from wilting! It’s a great way to help you draw your flower and view it closely.
Scrubber Brush
It’s like an eraser for watercolor! A great stiff brush for blending and scrubbing out or erasing watercolor. If you wet the brush with clean water, dab it so it’s not super wet, and make a little scrubby motion on your paper, you can lift watercolor pigment (even after it’s dried!). Its short, flat bristles agitate and lift the pigment out of the paper. Wendy chose this one because of its price/quality balance.
Collapsible Water Cup
This collapsible water cup from Faber-Castell is a great addition to your travel kit. The folding mechanism of the CLIC & GO water pot permits a space-saving storage in your pocket. The wave band at the top end can be used for a safe storage of the brush!
Mini Magnifier
This little magnifier is like your own handheld microscope! It is great for studying botanical details. It magnifies 40X and has a bright LED light that makes it easy to see objects clearly in dark or insufficient light conditions.
Prismacolor Verithin Pencils
We love Prismacolor Verithin Pencils in neutral colors for fine linework and details. Their leads are a bit harder than the Polychromos pencils, making them great for precision lines and finishing details toward the end of a drawing.
Erasing Shield
Made of high quality .005″ flexible stainless steel with 26 precision tooled apertures. For precise and controlled erasing.
Drafting Brush
Great for cleaning your drawing of pencil crumbs without smudging your work. People often smudge their drawings by putting their hand on the paper or trying to brush eraser shavings away with their hands, but this brush helps clear your drawing away without leaving any marks or smudges. It’s good to get in the habit of using the brush instead of your hand to remove debris and other things from your drawing.
Handmade 3D Wooden Shapes
These custom made wooden shapes are a tool to use to help in your botanical drawing practice. Use these shapes to visualize and draw light on form. Set up your shapes in the optional custom made box or use your own box, with one good light source. These light source models can be translated into more complex forms in nature such as flowers, fruits and leaves. All shapes are made by Catskill craftsman, John Perella, who cuts, mills and creates with his own trees in his studio. Buy these wooden shapes either as a set or individually!
Art Supply Kits
Looking for an easy bundle with everything Wendy uses to achieve her desired botanical illustrations? Check out our curated art supply kits, including our Practice of Botanical Drawing Kit, which contains every tool Wendy recommends for drawing realistic botanicals in colored pencils and watercolor. You also have the option to add a “Kraft Paper Companion” so you can easily experience the same joy that Wendy has found drawing on this hot press, mid-tone, watercolor paper!
Missing some bare necessities or essential upgrades? Check out our Art Supply Guide!
