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Art supplies for A 10 year old

29 replies

TimWasMeanToMe · 26/07/2022 07:37

Dd turns 10 next month. She says she just wants art stuff for her present.
im looking for ideas.
She likes drawing anime so I thought I’d buy her a “how to draw anime” type book to help her improve.
Then I was looking at pens. Is there a decent make of coloured pens that is a few steps up from WHSmiths felt tips but not crazy expensive? Everything midrange seems to get some awful reviews when I look. Any recommendations of makes? Or pen type? (Alcohol/water based? Those Posca ones?)

Ill Get her some nice paper.

What else might a 10 year old enjoy? It doesn’t have to anime related. Something that feels a bit grown up and special.

Thanks

OP posts:
violetanemone · 26/07/2022 10:32

Artist here. Personally I wouldn't go straight in with pens unless she's specifically asked for them.

Pens are appealing and colourful, but they are actually tricky to use because they are permanent and unforgiving. It is hard to learn to draw with pens and it can be off putting if you make mistakes.

If she wants to get better at drawing, get her some decent sketching pencils (e.g. Derwent or Faber Castell) and an A5 wire-bound sketchbook (cartridge paper) that she can take out and about, and just start looking and drawing the world around her.

Also good to have is a set of pan watercolours (tubes are messy), a couple of decent brushes, some water-soluble coloured pencils , and a watercolour/ mixed media sketchbook or pad.

Derwent is a good brand for all of this stuff except the watercolours - for those I would recommend Cotman/ Windsor and Newton.

Don't be tempted to buy huge sets of paints/brushes that are cheaper - get one or two good quality things.

I recommend Jacksons art supplies online for good quality stuff, you won't tend to get great quality at places like The Range and The Works. Hobbycraft is OK.

Depends how serious she is about it though because the cheap stuff has its place for kids who just want to blaze through a lot of colours. But if she wants to really learn to draw/ paint, I recommend the above.

violetanemone · 26/07/2022 10:37

(P.S. If you still want pens that are 'proper artist pens' and better than WHSmith, try Tombow or Faber Castell brush pens)

Lavender1974 · 26/07/2022 10:52

Thanks Violetanemone for the really useful advice as my 9 year old is filling sketchbooks at the moment and I’ve made a note of your recommendations for her birthday. I agree that sketchbooks are great and almost the most important resource. My daughter has several in different sizes and loves carrying them around (even at a recent wedding we went to). I got her first ones from Tiger Tiger but will look into getting one with cartridge paper. OP your daughter might also like an A4 art carrier with handles/strap. Amazon has loads.

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MotherWol · 26/07/2022 11:25

The sketch books and watercolour paper from Tiger is really good for the price - I think the sketchbooks are bamboo based paper so a bit thicker than the standard Wilko's type sketchbooks. Their oil pastels are also decent value for money.

The How to Draw Everything/How to Draw Every Animal series by Chika Miyata is really nice, with easy to follow instructions, and the YISAN gel highlighter crayons on Amazon are a lot of fun and very blendable.

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