ART FOUNDATIONS: Exploring Drawing Materials

Art Foundations: Exploring Drawing Materials What’s the difference between a 2H and a 6B pencil? When would you choose charcoal instead of graphite? What can you do with different erasers, pastels, blending tools, and papers? Exploring Drawing Materials is a hands-on introduction to the tools artists use to draw—and the basic techniques that help bring those materials to life. We’ll experiment with a variety of drawing supplies, compare how they look and behave, and practice essential techniques such as line, value, shading, blending, mark-making, and creating form. You’ll have the opportunity to try different materials and discover which ones best fit the way you like to work. This workshop is designed for beginners, returning artists, or anyone who has ever stood in front of the drawing aisle wondering what all those pencils and supplies actually do! We’ll explore: Graphite pencils and pencil grades Charcoal and charcoal pencils Pastels and other drawing media Different types of erasers Blending and drawing tools Drawing papers and surfaces Basic line, value, shading and mark-making techniques All materials are provided, so this is a great opportunity to experiment before investing in a collection of your own. Saturday, September 19, 2026 11 AM–1 PM $20 per person Elizabeth Ragona, MBA Artist, framer, business strategist, and Sales & Marketing Manager at Alabama Art Supply, Elizabeth Ragona combines her experience in business, marketing, pricing strategy, and the arts to help creative professionals build successful and sustainable art businesses. Her workshops focus on practical tools and real-world solutions that artists can apply immediately. Part of the Alabama Art Academy: Art Foundations series — build confidence and essential skills while discovering the materials and techniques artists use.