Reviews!
For: Ink, Watercolor & Markers
Material type: Marker
Brand: Prismacolor Premier Art Marker http://www.prismacolor.com/products/art-markers/double-ended
Where to purchase it: Average
Where to purchase it: Most Art supply stores. I know some, like AC Moore and Michaels, will let you buy colors individually, which is great, especially for things like grays or skin tones. Staples carries boxed sets. Also available online.
Pro: Bright colors, in a fairly decent variety, and tend to blend well. Easier to find than Copics. Double ended, one wide w/ chisel point, one fine. Not too terribly expensive, good for someone not entirely used to markers yet.
Con: Non-refillable, only 156 colors. Not brush tip. Do tend to bleed through paper. Will smudge up some inking work if you go over it too many times.
For: drawing/sketching,
Material type: Pen
Brand: Staedtler Pigment Liner Sketch Pens
Where to purchase it: I got mine at Staples, they seem fairly common
Price comparing to other brands: average
Pro: Not terribly expensive, decent ink quality, assorted sizes, fairly smudge resistant once dry, comes with a protective plastic case, come in black or colors
Con: Going over them too many times too quickly with markers can re-wet the ink and cause smudging, as can running your hand over it before it's had a chance to dry properly
For: Ink, Watercolor & Markers
Material type: Markers
Brand: Bic Mark-It Permanent Markers
Where to purchase it: Staples has individual colors for about $1 each, or sets. Fairly common in other stores
Price comparing to other brands: cheaper
Pro: Fairly cheap, similar to sharpies but blend/shade better, bright colors, great for anyone new to coloring with markers
Con: Very limited colors, color on cap doesn't always match actual marker color, no skin tones, tends to bleed through paper
For: drawing/sketching
Material type: Eraser
Brand: PaperMate Black Pearl
Where to purchase it: Obtained mine at Staples
Price comparing to other brands: on the cheaper end of average
Pro: Extremely good at taking out pencil marks, even very dark ones. Doesn't get the graphite all over it and get smudgy like other erasers. Minimal crumbs made when erasing, comfortable to hold, no latex or PVC so good for people allergic to those, thin edge usually works well for erasing in tight spaces, they don't seem to dry out and last quite a while, and they look pretty cool
Con: They're a tad dense (great for throwing at people), and sometimes a tad awkward for erasing extremely small spots