BASIC DRAWING / OFFICE EQUIPMENT

When drawing, sketching or attempting basic graphics work the equipment shown below is very useful and sometimes essential.
	Drawing Pencils are a basic requirement of any graphics course. You need a number ranging from 2B to 2H. These letters refer to the hardness of the pencil lead. When sketching a soft lead such as 2B is can be used to produce quick drawings and shading. On the other hand , when drawing precisely a 2H or even a harder pencil such as a 4H is ideal. This type of pencil keeps its sharp edge for longer and produces very fine lines.
	A refillable pencil is very useful especially if you are constructing a drawing that needs a constant thickness of line. The refills are available in a range of thicknesses and either hard or soft leads. Disadvantages are that the refillable pencils are relatively expensive and so are the refills. Also, the leads tend to break more easily.
	Ink fountain pens can be used for producing ‘fancy’ styles of writing. Often the pens can be bought with a variety of ‘nibs’ as a set. These can be used to draw / write in a vast range of styles. This type of writing is called ‘Calligraphy’. Ink pens are rarely used now as word processing software can be used to produce accurate styles of writing in a range of fonts.
	A protractor is used to measure angles. A typical protractor is a semi-circular piece of plastic with 180 degrees printed around its curve. This piece of equipment is not only used in graphics for constructing accurate drawings but is also used in subjects like Mathematics.
	A compass is an absolute essential piece of equipment. It is well worth buying a good set which includes at least two compasses allowing the drawing of small and large circles. The drawing opposite is a ‘bow’ compass, this is used for drawing small circles very accurately. Cheap compasses tend to slip on the paper and break quite easily. A good, quality compass set will last a life time.