Welcome to the materials library.

Welcome! Over the years I've tried hundreds of art materials, but these are the ones I come back to time and time again. They aren't necessarily the most expensive or the most fashionable—they're simply the ones I genuinely enjoy using every day.

Whether you're just starting out or you've been sketching for years, you don't need to buy everything on this page. Begin with the Essential Beginner Kit below and add to your collection as your confidence grows.

Looking for My Latest Recommendations?

My complete and regularly updated Materials Hub is now available on Mayad's Sketch Club. This page will remain available for existing students, but all future updates will be made on my new website. www.mayadssketchclub.com

A Quick Note About Product Links

I've recently removed the direct product links from this page because they change so frequently. Products are often discontinued, moved or replaced, and I'd much rather keep this page accurate than fill it with broken links.

Simply copy and paste the name of any material into your favourite search engine or online art supplier to find the best option in your own country or region. Most of these products are widely available, and if you can't find the exact brand, a good quality equivalent will usually work just as well.

Updated: 5 August 2026

Contents

• Where I Buy Materials
• Start Here: Essential Beginner Kit
• Full Materials Library
  • Pens & Ink
  • Brushes
  • Paper
  • Watercolour Paints
  • Gouache
  • Accessories
• Travel Sketching Kit

Where I Buy My Materials

Many of the links on this page point to suppliers I've used for years, but you're very welcome to buy from your preferred local art shop or online retailer.

Jackson's Art

One of my favourite suppliers, with an excellent range of professional art materials and international delivery.

FUUMUUI

FUUMUUI has become one of my favourite art brands in recent years. Their products are practical, well made and ideal for sketching on location.

If you'd like to try them, you can use my discount code MAYAD10 for 10% off across their website.

My favourites include:

• Travel Palette
• Watercolour Travel Sketchbook
• Calligraphy Brushes

Amazon & Local Art Shops

Amazon can often be useful if something is difficult to source locally, and your local art shop will usually be able to recommend an excellent equivalent.

Alternative Brands

If you can't find my preferred brands, these are all excellent substitutes.

Brushes

• Da Vinci
• Escoda
• Princeton
• Winsor & Newton

Watercolours

Although I mostly paint with Daniel Smith, I also happily recommend:

• Holbein
• Rembrandt
• Schmincke Horadam
• Sennelier
• Winsor & Newton Professional

Most Important of All

The exact brand isn't what makes a great sketch.

Choose materials that feel comfortable in your hand, practise regularly and enjoy the process. Your confidence will grow far more through drawing than by constantly buying new supplies.

Essential Beginner Kit

This is the small kit I recommend for getting started. You can always add to it later as your confidence grows.

Pens

• Micron 003 Black
• Micron 005 Black

Paper

• Bockingford NOT A4 Pad

Brushes

• Pro Arte Series 101 Round Size 8
• Pro Arte Series 203 Rigger Size 0
• Pro Arte Series 203 Rigger Size 4

Watercolour Paints

• Burnt Sienna
• Cadmium Red
• Deep Sap Green
• Lemon Yellow
• Neutral Tint
• Sap Green
• Ultramarine Blue

Gouache

• Lemon Yellow Gouache
• Titanium White Gouache

Accessories

• 15cm Transparent Grid Ruler
• 30cm Transparent Ruler
• Kitchen Paper
• Kneadable Eraser
• Low-Tack Artist's Masking Tape
• Mono Zero Eraser (Round Tip)

FULL MATERIALS LIBRARY

You can now find my full materials list over at Mayad's Sketch Club.

Travel Sketching Kit

FUUMUUI Travel Palette
A compact travel palette that's ideal for sketching on location while travelling light.

FUUMUUI Watercolour Travel Sketchbook (Large, Medium & Small)
One of my favourite travel sketchbooks. The 300gsm cotton paper works beautifully with pen and watercolour, the ring-bound design opens completely flat, and it's available in Small, Medium and Large sizes. I use the Large version.

FUUMUUI Calligraphy Brush No. 1
Useful for delicate expressive marks and finer loose washes.

FUUMUUI Calligraphy Brush No. 2
A lovely all-round travel brush for expressive sketching and washes.

FUUMUUI Calligraphy Brush No. 3
My favourite larger expressive brush for loose watercolour and characterful marks.

FUUMUUI Watercolour Block Paper
Ideal for travel sketches, plein air studies and quick colour work on location.

Kitchen Paper
Simple but incredibly useful for lifting colour, controlling washes and cleaning brushes whilst sketching outdoors.

Micron 003 Black
Useful for finer details and delicate sketch lines on location.

Micron 005 Black
A reliable fine liner for travel sketching and architectural details.

Sailor Fountain Pen (Optional)
A fountain pen I enjoy using for expressive travel sketches and loose linework.

Small Water Container
Keeps your travel kit compact whilst providing enough water for painting on location.

Spray Bottle
Useful for reactivating paints and keeping washes soft while sketching outdoors.

Bulldog Clips
Helpful for holding sketchbook pages steady in windy conditions.

A Little Tip

Travel sketching isn't about carrying lots of materials. A small, lightweight kit that you genuinely enjoy using is usually far better than carrying too much. The simpler your kit, the more likely you are to relax, sketch often and enjoy the experience.