1. Get the Right Setup. 
2. Break Subjects Down Into Shapes. 
3. And Practice Drawing Them. 
4. Draw What You See, Not What You Know. 
5. Try Sketching Upside Down. 
6. Draw the Negative Space. 
7. Bring Emotion In.
8. Practice Different Shading Techniques.

If you are a beginner than newsprint paper is best.It is light weight ,smooth,cheap and good for rough practice.

but if you are in advance level you need a acid free paper like canson 160gsm, It comes in white and color paper  ideal  for charcoal  and pastel color both.

Drawing is a different thing, it doesn't mean that if you work with the best pencil, it will be beautiful. Everything is up to you.

Anyway

If you are looking for a good brand at a low cost then Faber Castle would be good. You can also go with Brustro , that is what I use. Get the Total Drawing pencil set, it has good shading.