More Than Just Pencils: Exploring Dry Media Art Supplies

Walking into an art store can be dangerous for my wallet, especially when I wander down the aisles filled with dry media art supplies. I used to think a pencil was just a pencil, but wow, was I wrong. The sheer variety available today is mind-blowing, and I love getting my hands messy experimenting with all of it.

Take charcoal, for instance. It isn’t just burnt wood. You have got soft vine charcoal that whisks away with a feather, compressed sticks that lay down the darkest blacks, and even oily versions that stick to the page like glue. Pastels are another rabbit hole. I usually stick to dry, chalky soft pastels, but did you know they come in powdered pots? And don’t get me started on oil pastels that stay creamy forever.

Then there are pencils, which honestly deserve their own category. They are the chameleons of the art world. I have been playing with watercolor pencils lately, which blur the line between drawing and painting. Whether it is woodless crayons or pure graphite leads, exploring these dry media art supplies keeps my studio practice fresh and exciting. Manufacturers are always inventing something new, and I am always ready to try it.