>Sorry about poor quality of pics, if I can, I'll do another photo session =)
>These items aren't in any order, but give them time to load.
>Hold mouse over some images for extra information.
Well, to start off you'll need a good pencil. "Normal" number 2's pencils are nice for natural appearances, but I like using mechanical pencils much more often because you don't have to sharpen them. (^_^!) I suggest the Pentel Quicker Clicker: it has a convienent side button, a good grip that won't side off (like 'Champs' do), and lots of eraser--just keep pushing it up the metal holder until there's nearly nothing left. You can get refills of everything for them--.07mm(what I usually use) lead and erasers.
So, erasers should be considered next; you're not still using the pink ones, are you? Ok, with sketches they may not matter, but if you ink your pictures (covered elsewhere) you need a white eraser. Mars Stradtler (the blue in the middle) is a popular choice. When you're penciling, I suggest a retractable eraser. They tend to last long and erase very nicely. Although you probably won't need it much for your anime/manga, I really like kneaded erasers. They're gray and quite stretchy--good to have around since you don't use them up. Just pull at fold them to "clean" the erasers.
When you start advancing, you'll appreciate having a cicle template handy. Mostly, I use it for beginning guidelines(covered elsewhere). It's definitely something I reconmmend--not too pricy either. Rulers you can use for measuring, and of course straight lines, but it you want cUrVy lines, get yourself some french curve rulers. The usual purpose for these is actually to allow smooth inking over curves in comics, etc. Flexible rulers can be purchased as well. If you're going to be inking with pen nibs, beveled rulers would let you use them without blotting ink.
There are many ways to get black lines are paper, but you need ink that is dark and lasting. A quick way--that I find myself using alot--is going over drawings with Sakura Microns. These pens tend to be 2-3 dollars each, but they have many uses (markers, watercolors, etc.). Buy a few different sizes (perhaps colors) so that your line widths vary better.
Pen nibs are pressure-sensitive already, so you can get the line variation easily. Nibs have a nice feel to them including a sense of autheticity--professionals use them and it's the traditional way. If you only have 'Speedball' available, get that brand; however, I like the Japanese brands like Zebra & Deleter. To use the nibs, you'll need a holder (such as the yellow one in the pic) and ink (mentioned elsewhere).
(I also photographed willow/vine charcol that I use, bit it's for realistic artwork usually.)
Higgins Black Magic is what I used the most, but I'm sure better is out there among the many, many selections. Do not put too much ink on the nibs even if you get annoyed by having to keep adding more; you'll be more annoyed when a big drop ruins your drawing. Keep tissues (or toliet paper perhaps) handy when using ink. I discovered that you can use a tissue to absorb excess ink if you do this fast enough. Basically touch a corner of the tissue lightly to the blob of ink and watch it rise--avoid dabbing. Be particially careful around areas you'll be filling black in since that when your applied ink "pulls" ink from the nib down to it. I learn these things as I go,and you should keep your eyes opened for them as well.
It never hurts to add some color. The pastels are what I apply to charcol drawings (after using fixative) in almost always realistic drawings. As for the watercolor pencils, I get a pretty cheap brand because I use them as touch ups mostly for the Dr. Ph Martin's Radiant Concentrated (watercolor) ink. This ink is pretty exspensive compared to the Higgins I use for simplier images. More often than not, you'll want to add water to the inks before applying. And don't forget a brush tub; it'll be useful for cleaning and holding brushes.
I nearly forgot to include paper in all of this. Paper can be a very important factor with art. I use japanese brands of comic paper (one shown here) that include the blue guildelines; the light blue is a specific tint that does not photocopy and some times there are pinks like that as well. I don't have any to show, but you can buy pencils, usually for animation and comics, that are these colors. For everyday doodling, I use printer paper, it's extremely versatile so I often use markers on it as well. (I don't know that marker paper is worth the extra bucks for me yet). I haven't used enough Canson watercolor paper to endorse it, but the lanaquarelle (sp?)has been nice with my watercolor inks.
Some more pictures:
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