7 Essential Things You Cannot Miss Off Your Art School Checklist

What Equipment Do You Need For Art School And University?

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Whether you’re starting an art course at university for the first time, or looking to refresh your memory before going back – there’s a bunch of equipment that you’ll find very useful during your study. We’re not talking about the different types of saucepans and bedding here; but rather the handy art tools that will enable art students to create their very best work. So before you head off on your studies, make sure you’ve got an art school checklist covered.

Art School Checklist

Drawing pencils

First and foremost, no art student is complete without a drawing pencil. Despite being the simplest tool out there, the drawing pencil opens up a world of creative possibilities. In fact, some of the best ideas are born out of a quick pencil sketch or note. But what kind of drawing pencil should you go for? In art school, it’s probably a good idea to have a wide variety of choices, as you never know what your next project might require. Try out this Derwent Graphic Medium Drawing Pencil Set.

At a minimum, all art students (and university students in general) should be equipped with a couple HB pencils and sharpeners. If you’re regularly drawing and sketching, it’s worth investing in a set of softer B pencils to achieve a rich range of tones and shades. These pencils are the go to for most drawers, whether their subject matter be portraits, still life or landscapes. For architectural or mechanical drawings that require sharp, precise line work, opt for the harder H pencils.

Art markers

Although they’re another simple and common artist tool, the variety of art markers is surprisingly large. This makes choosing the right one a difficult task, especially for beginners and students alike. Try to begin by breaking down your art school needs. Will you be using this art marker for taking colourful notes? Or is it more integral to your actual art practice? We recommend this double tipped set from Ohuhu.

Whatever the use, art markers come in 3 main types: alcohol-based, water-based and solvent. Depending on what type you choose, the art marker can be used on more surfaces than just paper. Suddenly, this brings a lot of experimentation into your practice. Remember to consider the tip size and design, colour selections and lightfastness before purchasing too. As a student, it may be wise to start with a beginners set before investing in a pricier collection. However, if you know that you’ll use these art markers for years to come, the top quality options might be better suited.

Watercolour

Whatever your practice is, it might be a good idea to have some watercolour paints knocking about. Especially in the beginning of your art degree, a lot of emphasis will be put on experimentation and trying new things. Therefore, a watercolour set could come in handy even if you don’t think you need one. In terms of types, watercolour is usually divided into an artist grade and student grade category, which also have their own internal groups. The two grades represent the level of quality, affecting their price points. If you’re just starting out, you could try the Winsor & Newton Cotman 12 Watercolour Tube Collection.

Sticking to the affordable options as a student at university seems like a good idea. However, if you’ve worked with watercolour before and plan to continue – there’s nothing wrong with buying an artist grade kit. It’s likely to last a longer time, perform better and make your work more professional. Do consider the portability of your paints though. Watercolour pans are a lot easier to move between your art school studio and your home, whilst tube paints may get lost in the bottom of your bag. These are all important facts to consider when choosing the best watercolour set at university.

Coloured pencils

coloured pencils

It may seem like a tool you only used during childhood, but coloured pencils are another great addition to your art school checklist. Not only can artists use them to create beautiful vivid drawings, but students also enjoy making their notes bright and interesting to look at. The joy of using coloured pencils all stems from their quality. A shabby set of pencils isn’t going to make you want to pick them up again. This Caran D’ache Supercolor Water Soluble Pencil Set would be a great addition to any art school kit.

In terms of coloured pencil criteria for students, look out for a set that doesn’t cost too much. There are a lot of pricey sets on the market which students do not necessarily need, unless you’re an avid coloured pencil user. Things to keep in mind when searching for a good quality set include; a comfortable grip, smooth application, a rich and varied variety of colours, and proven longevity. A lot of these attributes can be found in affordable pencils, although you shouldn’t feel bad about compromising on professional quality as a beginner.

Printer

art printer

If your budget allows, you might want to consider investing in a printer for the duration of your study and beyond. Although the majority of universities will have a couple on site, you can’t always guarantee that they’ll be working, or be able to produce work anywhere near the quality of art prints. Having one in your uni bedroom is a massive convenience, avoiding library queues and jammed paper trays. Check out the Expression Photo HD XP -15000 Printer if you’re looking to invest in one.

What kind of printer is best for an art student? Preferably, you want to look for one that doesn’t break the bank, paying particular attention to the cost of ink. Overtime, ink purchases are going to eat into your student loan, so make sure the refills are reasonably priced. You’ll also want one that can produce beautiful quality prints, whether it will be going in your sketchbook or on a gallery wall. Just be aware of the common printer issues. We recommend reading a few reviews to see what other beginners and art students have to say before buying your own.

Scanner

This next piece of equipment is more optional than the others, but still holds a lot of use when at art school. Most institutions should have working scanners (usually built into their printers), but they may not always be of the best quality. For illustration students and those who love transferring a drawing into digital form, a scanner is going to be vital. Having your own saves you from waiting until you’re in the studio to scan any late night sketches. Some scanners are even portable, allowing artists to digitise their work wherever they are. One recommended scanner for artists is the Canon Canoscan Lide 400.

If you’re in search of the best quality scanner, they’ll usually be the type that comes separate from a printer. Therefore, students may need to factor in their available space if planning to have both. Don’t worry though, as you can find sleek and compact scanners that won’t take over valuable desk space. Scanning technology is now very advanced, cramming high speeds and resolution into tidy machines designed to suit any small office or bedroom.

Airbrush

Lastly, we’ve decided to include airbrushes for this art school checklist. Although they’re quite a specific tool that not everyone automatically thinks of – the airbrush has vast versatility to suit any art school project. They can be applied to a whole host of disciplines including fine art, illustration, makeup, typography and more. The decision of buying an airbrush will require some deeper contemplation than a pencil for example, but the outcome is very much worth it. If interested, take a look at this Pinkiou Dual Action Airbrush Kit.

What airbrush should an art student be looking for? As a beginner, it’s definitely wise to explore the process with a cheaper kit until you’re sure of the technique. Those already familiar with airbrushing could jump straight into a higher end machine, but do shop around for the best reviews. You may even want to see if your art school workshop has an airbrush you can try out before buying one for yourself.

What equipment will I use at art school?

Each student will use different equipment at art school depending on their individual degree and practice. There isn’t a universal checklist that covers everything you could possibly need, despite this list covering the basics. Instead, it’s important to reflect on where your practice is at the moment, focusing on supplying yourself with the things you’re currently using. However, art practices develop overtime, and so do toolkits. You might not know what you’re going to need until a couple months into your course and that’s OK too. Art school is about experimentation and finding your art style, so be prepared to try numerous processes along the way.

WHAT EQUIPMENT DID YOU FIND USEFUL ON YOUR OWN ART SCHOOL CHECKLIST? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.

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