Recommended
HUION Kamvas 16 Gen3
16" pen display with 2.5K QHD resolution for illustrating with more detail and room.
- 2.5K QHD resolution
- Well-balanced 16" size
- Ideal for illustration and comics
For illustrators and artists
Illustration portal
Drawing tablets and art supplies
Ilustreando is an illustration portal with buying guides, comparisons and recommendations for drawing tablets, sketchbooks, illustration books and drawing supplies. So you choose well whether you are just starting out in digital illustration or already draw every day.
Categories
Illustration supplies by category
Find the drawing tablet, sketchbook, book or art supplies you need, with advice to help you choose well.
Drawing tablets
Pen tablets and pen displays to make the leap to digital drawing.
See selection →Sketchbooks
Sketchbooks for pencil, ink, markers or watercolour.
See selection →Illustration books
Drawing manuals, anatomy, colour and reference books.
See selection →Drawing supplies
Pencils, markers, inks, watercolours and everything else you need.
See selection →Top picks
The best products for illustrators
Our selection of the most recommended drawing tablets, sketchbooks, books and drawing supplies for every level.
Classic
Moleskine Art Sketchbook
The quintessential pocket sketchbook, with thick ivory paper.
- 165 gsm paper
- Hard cover with elastic closure
- Inner pocket
Must-have
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Betty Edwards
The classic method for learning to see and draw what is in front of you.
- Progressive exercises
- Ideal if you are starting from scratch
- An art school classic
Essential
Staedtler Mars Lumograph (tin set)
Graphite pencils in several grades for sketching, blocking in and shading.
- From 6H to 8B
- Break-resistant lead
- Sharpens cleanly
Anatomy
Morpho: Anatomy for Artists
Michel Lauricella
Anatomy explained with simple diagrams and simplified shapes, in a pocket format.
- Very visual
- Handy format
- Perfect for the human figure
For inking
Sakura Pigma Micron
The most widely used disposable fineliners for inking illustrations and comics.
- Waterproof pigment ink
- Several line widths
- Does not bleed through paper
Color and Light
James Gurney
How light and colour work in the real world and how to bring them into your illustrations.
- Clear explanations
- Examples painted by the author
- Useful for digital and traditional work
Best value
HUION Inspiroy H1060P
Screenless tablet with a wide area and lots of shortcuts to work faster.
- 12 express keys
- 16 programmable soft keys
- Large drawing surface
For watercolour
Stillman & Birn Beta
A sketchbook designed for painting with watercolour and gouache without the paper buckling.
- 270 gsm paper
- Medium grain
- Handles several layers
For beginners
Wacom Intuos S
The most recommended screenless tablet for taking your first steps in digital illustration.
- Light and easy to carry
- Battery-free pen
- Works with Windows, macOS and Chromebook
Tombow Dual Brush Pen
Very versatile dual-tip water-based markers for colour and lettering.
- Flexible brush tip
- Blendable with water
- Wide range of colours
Best value
Royal Talens Art Creation Sketchbook
Affordable hardcover sketchbook in lots of sizes and colours, so you always have one at hand.
- Good price
- Lots of sizes
- Paper for pencil and ink
Blog
Buying guides and tips for illustrators
Drawing tablet comparisons, art supply lists and books to learn to draw, explained without jargon.
October 15, 2026
How to get started in digital illustration: a step-by-step guide
How to get started in digital illustration: minimum kit, software, resolution, layers, brushes and a 30-day practice plan to make real progress.
October 15, 2026
Free drawing programs: the 6 best and what each one is for
Free drawing programs compared: Krita, MediBang, FireAlpaca, GIMP, Inkscape and Ibis Paint X. What each is for and when to move to a paid one.
October 15, 2026
How to set up a drawing tablet step by step
How to set up a drawing tablet: drivers, area and ratio, pressure curve, buttons, left-handed mode and fixes for Windows Ink, lag and a jumping cursor.
October 15, 2026
How to make an illustration portfolio that wins commissions
How to make an illustration portfolio: how many pieces, how to order them, website, PDF or Behance, copy and the mistakes that cost you commissions.
October 15, 2026
How much to charge for an illustration: how to work out your price
How much to charge for an illustration: set your base rate, value licence, usage and exclusivity, and build a quote with a step-by-step example.
October 15, 2026
What is illustration: definition, types and career paths
What illustration is and how it differs from art and graphic design: types, traditional and digital techniques, and real career paths.
How we choose
How we choose the supplies we recommend
1
Made for people who draw
We judge every drawing tablet, sketchbook or pencil by how it performs when you draw, not just by its spec sheet.
2
For every level
We flag which supplies are for beginners, which offer the best value and which are for professional illustrators.
3
Always up to date
We review our selection often so you find current models that are in stock.
Everything you need to illustrate, in one place
Ilustreando is an illustration portal for illustrators and for anyone who wants to learn to draw. We bring together the best illustration supplies and explain who each one is for, so you do not waste time or money.
If you are into digital illustration, start with our drawing tablets: from simple screenless models to pen displays for professional work. If you prefer paper, there are sketchbooks and drawing pads for pencil, ink or watercolour, plus all the drawing supplies illustrators use: graphite pencils, markers, fineliners and watercolours.
And to keep improving, a selection of illustration books on anatomy, colour, comics and creativity, plus practical guides on the blog.
New to digital illustration?
Find out which drawing tablets are best for beginners and how to choose yours.