This article has been liked 13 times
All great art starts with a sketch – Picasso owned an impressive 175 sketchbooks filled with ideas at the time of his death. Pencils are a great way to sketch ideas quickly or make beautiful, detailed drawings. Using a good range ofgraphite pencilsallows you to explore a broad tonal value and achieve varying results.
How are pencils made?
All wood-encased pencils are made from three major ingredients: graphite, clay and a small amount of binder. Back in the 17th century these were ground down by hand, put in a cylindrical mould and fired in a kiln. Today, Winsor & Newton pencils are made with sustainably grown, easy-to-sharpen, aromatic cedar wood.
How to understand pencil grades
If you’re new to picking up a pencil, the first thing you will notice is that there several numbered and lettered grades. These work as a guide to help you select the right pencil to fit your needs.
Here’s the scale for graphite leads:
8B 6B 5B 4B 3B 2B B HB F H 2H 3H 4H
This scale runs from Softest (left) to Hardest (right)
B = Blackness
F = Fine
HB = A combination of H and B
H = Hard
- A ‘B’ range pencil indicates it has soft lead – the higher the number, the softer and darker the lead.
- The higher numbers in this range have a greater concentration of graphite. Generally, ‘B’ grades are best for shading and smooth coverage of large areas.
- The ‘H’ range makes a more subtle grey mark, the higher the number, the less graphite is included, these are best used for delicate, intricate drawings.
- The ‘F’ grade is used to indicate that the pencil lead is a special formulation that will maintain a fine point.
- The most popular pencil, ‘HB’ is a combination of hard and soft leads which makes it a great all-rounder.
Whether a beginner or a professional, having an array of pencil grades is essential to achieve a tonal range in your work. Generally, the best way to start drawing is with a hard pencil which will make a light mark that erases easily, allowing you to adjust your drawing frequently at the beginning. Then, as the drawing develops and requires a darker mark for shading or bold details, move on to a softer pencil. Multiple layers of a hard lead will never produce black; therefore, you need a softer pencil to be able to achieve a truly dark mark.
Your sharpener is your best friend. Use a quality pencil and keep it sharp so you have fine point that will not break with pressure. You can refine the point of your pencil with the artists’ old trick of placing a piece of fine-grade sandpaper on a table and gently running the side of the lead across it.
Browse our full range of pencilshere.
FAQs
Top tip. Your sharpener is your best friend. Use a quality pencil and keep it sharp so you have fine point that will not break with pressure. You can refine the point of your pencil with the artists' old trick of placing a piece of fine-grade sandpaper on a table and gently running the side of the lead across it.
Are graphite pencils good for beginners? ›
Generally, the best way to start drawing is with a hard pencil which will make a light mark that erases easily, allowing you to adjust your drawing frequently at the beginning. Then, as the drawing develops and requires a darker mark for shading or bold details, move on to a softer pencil.
What do most artists use graphite pencils for? ›
The humble graphite pencil is the workhorse of many artists toolkits. Made from graphite blends mixed with wax, drawing and sketching pencils are a versatile mark making tool perfect for jotting down quick ideas, plotting compositions or even for highly detailed drawings.
How to get better at drawing with graphite? ›
When learning how to use your graphite pencil, it all starts with your hold. The way you hold your graphite pencil will affect your artwork. To create a light loose sketch, hold your pencil towards the end. For more exact, specific lines, hold your pencil closer to the tip for more control.
What are the disadvantages of graphite pencils? ›
Graphite pencils
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Good for creating sharp and precise lines | Require more sharpening than charcoal pencils |
| Easy to use | Needs more pressure to create depth in drawings |
| Come in a wide range of grades | Can be difficult to control if you're trying to create a range of effects or lots of shading |
1 more rowSep 13, 2022
HB pencils are lighter than 2B pencils. The "H" indicates hardness, and the "B" indicates blackness or softness. HB is considered a medium grade, while 2B is softer and darker, making marks with more graphite.
How to relearn pencil grip? ›
Encourage your child to hold small playdough balls between her thumb and index finger and squash the playdough until her fingers meet. (Pretend the play- dough is a bug or egg.) Repeat with the thumb and middle finger, and then with the thumb, index and middle fingers all together.
Why can't I hold my pencil correctly? ›
Fine motor weakness, in particular weak finger muscles, often results in an awkward grip. When the finger muscles are underdeveloped, it leads to a lack of coordination.
What is a number 1 graphite pencil? ›
My low-end pencil pick is the Prismacolor Turquoise.
| Brand | Grade Range | Quality |
|---|
| Cretacolor Monolith Woodless Pencils | 9B-HB | Excellent |
| Staedtler Lumograph Drawing Pencils | 12B-8H | Excellent |
| Prismacolor Turquoise Lead For Lead Holders | 6B-6H | Average |
| Staedtler 2mm Leads for lead holders. | 4B-4H | Excellent |
4 more rowsThe degree of hardness of a pencil is printed on the pencil.
These pencils are soft. H stands for "hard". HB stands for "hard black", which means "medium hard".
The number found in front of the letter reveals just how soft or hard the pencil is. In other words, a "4H" pencil is harder than a "2H" pencil while a "4B" pencil is softer than a "2B" pencil. Harder pencils produce lighter marks since less of the material is released as pressure is applied.
What pencil for beginner drawing? ›
Beginner sketch artists can start with a variety of pencils, including HB, 2B, and 4B, to experiment with different shades and lines. As you progress, consider adding softer pencils like 6B or charcoal pencils for darker tones and expressive strokes.
Which pencil is best for beginners? ›
Sketch Pencils for Beginners:
A good set of sketching pencils ranges from H to B. The H pencils are perfect for lines and detailing, while the B pencils provide a softer lead for shading and creating darker tones for your sketches.
What pencil should you start with? ›
For a beginner, we recommend trying 3 or 4 different hardnesses, like maybe 2H, HB, 3B and 5B. Drafting and line work: This is where to harder pencils come in! Most of our pencils harder than a 2H are sold to people who are using them for very precise drawing or for drafting.
What is the best pencil for starting to write? ›
2 and/or HB pencils are widely considered to be the ideal lead grade for writing (and they're required for many standardized tests), which makes this Golden Bear pencil a perfect choice for elementary school and beyond.
What is the difference between a graphite pencil and a regular pencil? ›
The graphite that's used in regular pencils is the same graphite used in artist quality pencils. The only difference is the type and quantity of filler that's mixed with the graphite to create different degrees of hardness, and quality control.
