These are the most common questions that aspirant mangaka and beginners ask.

In the last three blog posts, I talked about pen tablets, screen tones, and Japanese pen nibs. In this post, I talk about my favorite art supply brands.
The art tools that I use for drawing my manga, Legends of the West, and illustrating in general.

I have been using these art supplies for many years; however, every artist needs to find what kind of art supplies are best for themselves.

Not everyone likes the same stuff, but my post can help newbies get some direction to buy art supplies to draw manga without overspending.

It's not uncommon for a comic artist to use just a regular mechanical pencil for drawing a comic. I am one of these artists. I like using mechanical pencils for two simple reasons. One, the space for drawing a comic page is limited. I have to draw small scenes and characters with many details, and the mechanical pencil's fine lead is perfect for drawing small areas and details. I don't have to stop to sharpen the lead, and the refill lasts a long time.

You must have a white eraser that does not leave any marks on your paper. DO NOT USE the pink or any other colorful erasers. These colorful erasers are solely for school use, not for drawing, because they would leave marks on your illustration.
I use the Staedtler white eraser for my drawings. It does not leave any unpleasant mark or scratch.
Do you know how to clean a white eraser? Rub it on a table or a wall. It will get white and sparkling again. I discovered this technique at the graphic design school in Italy years ago.

The paper quality is extremely important. For drawing with watercolors and acrylics, it requires a type of paper that doesn't curl up when it gets moist. The same way for inking a comic or any other drawing that requires ink. For inking manga or other comics, it takes a smooth paper sheet that absorbs the ink, and it doesn't curl or wrinkle up.
I like using Copic paper sheets, natural white, for manga. I bought it on Amazon for about $8.00
There are different brands of art paper. Make sure to choose one specific to manga so you'll know it's good for inking.

In my opinion, Caran d'Ache is the best brand for color pencils. However, they are not economic. Start with a small set and add more colors by buying just a single pencil at a time. They are easy to find in art supply stores and online on Amazon, Blick, and other related sites.

A couple of years ago, I was looking to buy watercolors. Windsor & Newton or Caran d'Ache are excellent but not good for my thin wallet, so I checked several reviews on Amazon to figure out what brand I can get. I chose Koi watercolors. They are excellent for beginners and artists on a budget. Koi watercolors are affordable, and they have a nice variety of tones. I have to say I am amazed by their quality and price, definitely worth it.

If you draw manga, you know Copic markers. They are one of the best art supply brands on the market and popular among mangaka. Copic is a line of markers manufactured in Japan by Too. The Sketch markers version has a chisel-style tip on one end and a brush-style tip on the other. These two-sided nibs are perfect for coloring small areas and giving a brush effect to the illustration. All the Copic markers are refillable, and the ink can be mixed to create custom colors. Their nibs a replaceable too. Copic markers have a wide variety of colors, and their ink absorbs nicely in the paper without leaving any wet marks.

You will need a good quality India black ink if you are still inking by hand your manga. Don’t use the cheap one! Cheap ink is too watery, leaves marks, and sometimes it looks almost brown. It’s not suitable for illustration and comics. I use Daler-Rowney® FW Artists' Acrylic Ink, India Black, or Dr. Ph. Martin's - Bombay India Ink - Black. They are a good brand, and the ink is a true black. I'd like to try the Deleter black ink. Their price range between $4.00 and $6.00, depending on where you buy it.

Good quality paintbrushes can be expensive. The most expensive ones are made with real fur. I don't approve of using animal fur for brushes or any other product, so I get the nylon hair tip. Their quality has improved remarkably over the past few years. It's unnecessary to buy an expensive set of paintbrushes, get an inexpensive one, or just a single paintbrush. It will do the job, especially if you are a beginner. I don't have a particular brand to use. The primary thing is that the paintbrush has a good grip, and the hair tip is soft and flexible.

These are my favorite art supplies that I use for drawing, in particular, Legends of the West. However, it doesn't mean you have to buy the same products that I like. Some artists have a particular pencil or paper that they like to use; others don't have a specific brand.

For example, Mark Crilley underlines in his YouTube videos that he doesn't make a great deal about the brand of pencil or watercolors that he uses.
I agree with him that it's not worth investing a bunch of money in some art supplies, especially if you are a beginner. On the other hand, I think it's worth it to find what works best for you.

To sum up, spending a little on good quality ink, paper, and colored pencils is a good investment. It's unnecessary to buy the top-of-the-line or the most expensive one, but you don't want to purchase inexpensive products either, because, in the end, you will spend more money.

Experiment with various materials and brands, and see what you like to use and feel more comfortable with. After all, what really matters is improving your art skills, and the most expensive tools won't help you in achieving that. It's not a pen that creates quality drawings, it's your hand.