Which drawing materials and techniques did Thomas Gainsborough use?

Thomas Gainsborough was a highly inventive artist who constantly experimented with new materials and techniques throughout his career. As the only major English portrait painter of his time to dedicate significant effort to drawing, he utilized a diverse range of mediums, including:

• Chalk: A primary medium for his compositions.1
• Pen and Wash: He frequently employed pen and wash techniques to create his works.1
• Watercolour: He worked extensively with watercolour, occasionally applying varnish to these pieces.1
• Printmaking: Gainsborough produced series of soft-ground etchings and aquatints.1

Beyond traditional media, Gainsborough was known for his eagerness to explore new papers and innovative technical approaches. Notably, he constructed a magic lantern to achieve striking lighting effects, a device that remains preserved today. Rather than using them merely as preparatory studies, he viewed his drawings as independent works of art and famously never sold them.1