DRAWING INSTRUMENTS
DRAWING BOARDS
Drawing boards are used to support a drawing sheet or paper. They are made up of soft wooden platens fastened together by two cross plates (battens). The working surface of the board is planned perfectly. A shorter edge of the board carries a hard ebony strip fitted in a groove. This straight ebony edge, perfectly lined up with the edge of the drawing board, provides the guide for the T-square.
MINI DRAFTER
A mini drafter is a portable device used to draw parallel, inclined and perpendicular lines speedily. It is mounted on a drawing board at the top left corner. A drafter consists of a scale, a scale screw, a scale plate, steel bars, a bar plate and a clamping mechanism.
DRAWING PENCILS:
Drawing Pencils are a basic requirement of any graphics course. You need a number ranging from 2B to 2H. These letters refer to the hardness of the pencil lead. When sketching a soft lead such as 2B is can be used to produce quick drawings and shading. On the other hand , when drawing precisely a 2H or even a harder pencil such as a 4H is ideal. This type of pencil keeps its sharp edge for longer and produces very fine lines.
PROTRACTOR
A protractor is used to measure angles. A typical protractor is a semi-circular piece of plastic with 180 degrees printed around its curve. This piece of equipment is not only used in graphics for constructing accurate drawings but is also used in subjects like Mathematics.
COMPASS
A compass is an absolute essential piece of equipment. It is well worth buying a good set which includes at least two compasses allowing the drawing of small and large circles. The drawing opposite is a ‘bow’ compass, this is used for drawing small circles very accurately. Cheap compasses tend to slip on the paper and break quite easily. A good, quality compass set will last a life time.
SET SQUARES
Set Squares are used to draw accurate angles. The most common are 45 and 60/30 degrees. When using set squares they should always used along with a T-Square. The Set-square rest on the straight edge of the T-Square and this ensures when the angle is drawn that it is accurate.
BOARD CLIPS
Board clips are used to hold the drawing paper in position. They simply clip on to the board holding the paper firmly against the drawing board
SHARPENER
Pencil sharpeners are essential for sharpening pencils. Accurate drawings cannot be produced unless they are sharp. However, when shading a blunt pencil is sometimes useful.
CRAFT KNIFE
A craft knife can also be used to sharpen pencils. Normal pencil sharpeners tend to shorten the lead as the sharpener is turned. This means that the pencil needs sharpening often. On the other hand when using a craft knife, the lead can be left quite long. Also, a small piece of glass paper can be used to give a precise edge to the lead.
A ‘chisel’ shaped point is ideal for drawing accurate lines.
FRENCH CURVES
French Curves are purchased in sets of three or four. They are used to draw curves by finding the section of curve that matches the desired shape on the profile of the curve.
Some French Curves also have either circles or ellipses of various sizes cut out. These can be used in the same way as circle or ellipse templates.
Some French Curves also have either circles or ellipses of various sizes cut out. These can be used in the same way as circle or ellipse templates.