When you start art and design in Year 7, knowing the special features of common art tools can really help you be creative and make better projects. Let's look at some important tools and what they do:

Drawing Tools

1. Pencils:

   • Graphite Pencils: They come in different types. Hard ones (H) make lighter lines, and soft ones (B) create darker ones. This helps with shading and making lines look different.
   • Mechanical Pencils: These give you a steady line thickness and don’t need sharpening. They’re great for small details but can run out of lead quickly.

2. Charcoal:

   • Soft Charcoal: This one leaves dark lines and blends well. It can get messy and smudge easily, though.
   • Vine Charcoal: This is lighter and perfect for starting sketches and soft shading.

3. Markers:

   • Permanent Markers: They have bold colors, dry fast, and are water-resistant but are tough to erase.
   • Water-based Markers: These are easier to mix with water and create washes. Just be careful, they can smudge!

Painting Tools

1. Brushes:

   • Synthetic vs. Natural Hair: Synthetic brushes keep their shape well and are great for acrylic paint. Natural hair brushes, like sable ones, hold more water and work better for watercolors.
   • Different Shapes: Flat brushes are for big strokes, round brushes are for details, and fan brushes create texture. Each shape gives a unique effect.

2. Palettes:

   • Plastic vs. Disposable: Plastic palettes can be cleaned and used again. Disposable ones are quick and easy but don’t let you blend colors on them.

Crafting Tools

1. Scissors:

   • Standard vs. Detail Scissors: Standard scissors are good for regular cutting, while detail scissors are great for more delicate cuts.

2. Glue:

   • Liquid Glue vs. Glue Sticks: Liquid glue holds things together better but can get messy. Glue sticks are cleaner and easier to use but might not hold heavy things very well.

Extra Materials

1. Paper:

   • Weight and Texture: Heavier paper is best for wet paint, while textured papers can make drawings more interesting. Glossy paper is great for bright photos.

2. Canvas:

   • Primed vs. Unprimed: Primed canvases are ready to paint on, while unprimed ones let you try out different techniques but need some prep first.

Getting to know these tools helps you be more creative and shows your personal style in your art. Each tool has its own special feature that can change how your artwork turns out, so having fun experimenting with them is a big part of the process!