• Your hands are the primary artistic tool.sketch image by Aleksander from Fotolia.com
  
  An artist needs to have essential tools on hand in order to bring his work to its fullest potential. Whether drawing or painting, there are arrays of potential utensils and components offered by art stores. Discover exactly what you need so no brushstroke or sketch goes wasted in putting your creativity into practice.
  
  

Brushes

• Paint brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it's important to recognize which one you'll need for your current work. Most paintbrushes are either made up of hog bristles or man-made synthetic fibers. You want to find a brush with high bristle density and varied bristle lengths for both paint retention and smooth application of that paint to whatever surface you are working with. Most brushes are from 1-inch to 4-inches wide, and some brushes are tapered to a point for finer paint application.
  
  

Paints

• The main types of paints you will need fall under either acrylic paints or oil paints. Acrylic paints are water-soluble and often come in vibrant colors that dry quickly. Oil paints are not water-soluble, but they dry slowly and so can be manipulated for longer periods than acrylic paints. Plus, they are often applied in semi-transparent layers, allowing other colors to bleed through.
  
  

Pencils

• If drawing or sketching, pencils come in a range of densities to manipulate the thickness and shade of lines. For bolder drawing, you can also pick a charcoal pencil. Colored pencils are available in order to widen the spectrum. Don't forget to have an eraser handy in case you want to recover from a mistake.
  
  

Pens

• Art pens are distinguished according to nib size, which determines line thickness. Most pen kits provide a full range of nib sizes, plus you can purchase ink refills whenever you run out, rather than having to buy a whole new pen. Colored inks are available, though it is recommended you do not use your black ink pens with colored inks unless the pens are thoroughly cleaned between each use, otherwise the colors will muddy each other.
  
  

Surfaces

• Drawing and painting tools also include the particular surface you choose to ply your art on. This can range from stretched canvas to stock paper to brick walls, depending on the project. Most artists also carry sketchpads in order to practice and plan future projects.
  
  

Cleaning and Misc.

• An artist must take care of his tools in order to keep them in prime condition. Cups of water should be kept around while painting in order to clean off brushes. Razors may be used to shave pencils down, allowing for sharper lines. Easels can support canvas pads, and a mixing platter or dish allows for the combination of water and paints to achieve different hues.