Amazon Christmas List - The Drawing Edition

Now that I am back with Amazon, I have decided to put together a shopping list of items I always have on hand for drawing and planning game sessions. For D&D or any other tabletop game, you really only need pencils, dice, and graph paper. However, once you get into it, the basics will never do. You WANT the fancy stuff. 

Let's start with the disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

I will start with the most basic item on my list: The bound 8.5x11" Sketchbook. Usually, the paper is plain, white, with a slight tooth. The paper is 128 gsm or 80# to 90# paper. Often they are canvas or black faux leather-bound. I prefer canvas, but my current sketchbook is black and leather-like. 

This particular sketchbook has micro-perforated pages for easy removal. 

The pencil set is also great for general drawing, both in the sketchbook or on graph paper. I swear by Faber-Castell, but if you don't like name-brand, look for a set that has HB, 2B, and 8B. I find those work well when drawing on graph paper. The HB is for roughing things out, the 2B is good for shading, and the deep dark 8B is great for outlining. 

As you can see from my set, I have lost the eraser and replaced it with a gum eraser and sharpener. The Faber-Castell 11 Piece Pitt Graphite Tin Set is handy for storage, and you can easily replace or swap out different items. Often, I have a piece of sandpaper rammed under the plastic carrier. 

Next are my pens. I use two different kinds: the Faber-Castell sepia brown pens and the Faber-Castell black sets. The horse drawing above was done with the sepia pens. Like the pencil set, I have a couple of these pens on hand. Usually, they are sold in collections of 4, but I have supplemented my collection. 

I do have a secret weapon not pictured above. They are Sharpie fine point pens. They are great for writing and excellent for stippling. I don't have a link to these on Amazon. I find my local stores carry them, and I don't buy them in large quantities. 

To be honest, you can totally use the Faber-Castell pens for writing or stippling, but they are a little on the expensive side for general writing. I do know the nibs hold up for stippling, but I feel that the action feels too abusive for such a nice pen. 

That is just me being me. 

Next up is the leatherbound notebook. I have several. I swear they are like crack. Exactly why I have so many is no mystery; my kids get me one for Christmas every year. The one pictured above is a basic A5 notebook. You can easily find refills for it on Amazon. Oddly, I can't find my exact one pictured above, only the refills. 

The last item is a repeat of the above, in a slightly different style. It has very rough, deckle-edged paper grouped in gatherings or quires. This makes the book not refillable. Pity, but I love mine. It feels like something from Myst. 

The tree drawing was done on this style of paper. I really enjoy this. 

And I hope you have enjoyed this list. Be on the lookout for future Amazon lists.