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Gwartzman's Art Supplies is one of Toronto's most well known shops to buy anything and everything art related. Since the 1960's we've proudly served Toronto's Art Community. Gwartzman's strives to have the best prices in town or online, whether you're experimenting with pastels for the first time, choosing a new fountain pen medium or picking the perfect drawing paper.
Starting with a few basic supplies is a great way to dive into drawing. Here's a list of essentials:
Drawing Tools:
- Pencils: A variety of graphite pencils (like HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B) will allow you to create different shades and tones.
- Eraser: A good quality eraser is essential for making corrections. A kneaded eraser is versatile for blending and lifting off graphite.
- Pencil Sharpener: A sharp pencil makes a big difference in your lines.
- Blending Stumps: These help to smooth out and blend your pencil strokes.
Drawing Surfaces:
- Sketchbook: A good quality sketchbook provides a sturdy base for your drawings. Choose a size and paper weight that suits your preferences.
- Drawing Paper: If you prefer loose sheets, you can buy various types of drawing paper to experiment with.
Optional but Useful:
The main difference between compressed and willow charcoal lies in their composition and resulting characteristics. Â
Willow Charcoal
Natural: Made from burnt willow branches. Â
Soft and Smudgy: Creates soft, light lines and tones.
Easy to Erase: Can be easily removed or blended with a kneaded eraser. Â
Ideal for: Loose sketches, initial drawings, and creating soft, atmospheric effects. Â
Compressed Charcoal
Manufactured: Made from charcoal powder mixed with a binding agent. Â
Harder and Darker: Produces darker, bolder lines and tones. Â
Less Smudgy: More difficult to erase completely. Â
Ideal for: Detailed drawings, shading, and creating strong contrasts. Â
Both soft and oil pastels offer unique qualities for artists, but they have distinct characteristics.
Soft Pastels
Composition: Pigment, water, and a small amount of chalk or artificial binder. Â
Texture: Soft and powdery, creating a chalky effect. Â
Application: Easily blendable, ideal for creating soft, diffused tones. Â
Pros: Vibrant colours, easy to layer, quick drying. Â
Cons: Messy, easily smudged, and require a fixative to protect the artwork.
Oil Pastels
Composition: Pigment, oil, and wax. Â
Texture: Creamy and waxy, similar to crayons. Â
Application: Less prone to smudging, can be layered and blended. Â
Pros: Less messy, can be used on various surfaces, vibrant colors. Â
Cons: Can be more difficult to blend than soft pastels, slower drying time. Â
Soft pastels are great for creating soft, ethereal effects and quick sketches. Â
Oil pastels offer a more vibrant, opaque look and are less likely to smudge.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal preference and the desired effect for your artwork. Many artists enjoy using both mediums to achieve different results.
Dye-based inks: These are the most common and typically affordable. They offer a wide range of colors and are generally safe for most pens. Â
Pigment inks: These inks use pigment particles suspended in a liquid. They tend to be waterproof and fade-resistant, but can be more prone to clogging. Â
When choosing an ink, consider factors like:
Color: Choose a color you enjoy.
Flow: Some inks are wetter than others, affecting the writing experience. Â
Feathering and bleed-through: These can be influenced by the ink and paper combination.
Shading: Some inks exhibit shading, creating variations in colour based on writing pressure. Â
Water resistance: Gwartzman's carries Octopus Write & Draw Inks, a waterproof ink perfect for fountain pens.
Gwartzman's offers a diverse selection of pens to cater to various artistic styles and preferences. Here's a general overview of what you can expect to find:
Fineliners: For precise lines and technical drawings.
Ink pens: Including fountain pens, dip pens, and calligraphy pens.
Brush pens: For versatile line widths and expressive strokes.
Copic markers: Well-known for their blendability and color range.
Gel pens: Known for their smooth ink flow and vibrant colors. Â
Sketch paper is a versatile option for artists of all levels. It's typically lightweight and comes in various textures and weights.
Key characteristics:
Lightweight
Affordable
Variety of textures (smooth, toothy)
Often acid-free for longevity
Best for:
Quick sketches and ideas
Practice and experimentation
Pencil, charcoal, pen and ink drawings
Mixed Media Paper
As the name suggests, mixed media paper is designed to handle a variety of art mediums. It's typically thicker and more durable than sketch paper.
Key characteristics:
Thick and sturdy
Can handle wet and dry media
Often has a slight tooth for better media adhesion
May be acid-free for preservation
Best for:
Combining different art techniques
Watercolor, acrylic, collage, and drawing
Creating layered and textured pieces
Drawing Paper
Drawing paper falls somewhere between sketch and mixed media paper. It offers a balance of weight and texture, making it suitable for a wide range of techniques.
Key characteristics:
Variety of weights and textures
Good for pencils, charcoal, and some ink work
Can handle light washes of watercolor
Often acid-free
Best for:
Detailed drawings
Shading and blending
Experimenting with different mediums
Choosing the right paper depends on your intended artwork. Consider the media you'll be using, the desired texture, and the weight of the paper. Experimentation is key to finding the perfect paper for your style.
Gwartzman's has earned its reputation as a top art supply shop in Toronto for several compelling reasons:
Extensive Selection: They boast a wide range of art supplies, catering to artists of all levels and disciplines. From beginner essentials to professional-grade materials, Gwartzman's has it all.
Competitive Pricing: Known for its budget-friendly options, Gwartzman's offers quality art supplies without breaking the bank.
Expert Knowledge: The staff at Gwartzman's is often composed of artists themselves, providing invaluable advice and guidance to customers.
Community Focus: Gwartzman's has been a part of the Toronto art community for decades, fostering a strong connection with local artists.
Convenient Location: Situated in the heart of Toronto, Gwartzman's is easily accessible for artists and students alike.
Let's explore some of the most common art mediums:
Drawing and Painting Mediums
Watercolour: Transparent paints that blend easily for soft washes.
Acrylic: Versatile paints that dry quickly and can be used on various surfaces.
Oil: Slow-drying paints known for their rich colors and depth.
Gouache Opaque watercolors that offer vibrant colors and coverage.
Encaustic: Pigments mixed with hot wax for a unique textured look.
Graphite Pencil: Versatile and widely used for sketching and detailed work.
Relief Printing: Creating raised images on a surface and inking them.
Screen Printing: Pushing ink through a stencil onto paper.
Graphite Pencil: Versatile and widely used for sketching and detailed work.
Charcoal: Creates soft, expressive lines and values.
Ink: Offers precise lines and washes, often used in pen and ink drawings.
Pastel: Creates soft, chalky effects with a wide range of colours.