#Cool pencil art professional

She's always loved arts and crafts and has a deep appreciation for high-quality writing utensils. Theresa Holland has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. Pencils amplify texture in paper,' Valente says. For drawing pencils, it is best to have a smooth, medium weight paper. 'Paper with more tooth is for pastels and chalk, because it holds the pigment better. You should look for a different tooth, or texture of the paper, depending on the medium you are using. And if you're looking to do some expressive sketching, slightly rough and fibrous paper is best. However, you'll probably want to use heavier, firmer paper for detailed drawings, illustrations, and hatching. You can use any type of paper with drawing pencils-even printer paper. But since the lead is typically a little softer, they're better for shading, shadowing, and coloring in illustrations. Colored pencils can be used for drawing and sketching. However, there are also options in varying shades of gray and pearly white, as well as lead that's a bit closer to black.Īnd then there are colored pencils, which usually come in sets consisting of a broad range of hues. Most drawing pencils have relatively dark charcoal-colored lead. If you buy pencils that are too hard, they will be harsh on the paper, dull, and near impossible to erase if you make a mistake,' she says. The softer the pencil, the more intense the pigment. 'When you are buying a set of drawing pencils, you want a set that has either a range of hardnesses(in graphite pencils), or an overall soft quality (in colored pencils). This varies between graphite and colored pencils, says Valente. Softer pencils make darker marks, whereas firm pencils will produce lighter lines. The difference has more to do with the effect they create. You can usually count on even the softest leads to be sturdy and resistant to breaking. With high-quality drawing pencils, softness doesn't equate to flimsiness. You can buy them individually based on your preference or how dark of a line you need to draw, but sets often come with a variety of options. The lead in drawing pencils ranges from very soft to extra-hard.

Both types of drawing pencils come in varying tip sizes. With the mechanical variety, you can count on a consistent, always-sharp tip, whereas standard pencils need to be sharpened. Then there are mechanical drawing pencils, which usually come with graphite lead. Most graphite pencils don't have attached erasers, but you can find high-quality options that do. Graphite pencils have a special kind of lead made of ground graphite (crystalline carbon) and clay. 'The wax can easily be rubbed out with a tissue, whereas cheaper pencils are less waxy because they are harder.' 'Higher end pencils are very waxy, which can result in your drawing looking hazy after a while if it is not framed and exposed to air,' says artist and art restoration specialist Sarah Valente. Once your skills develop, you can splurge on a more expensive and extensive set of graphite or colored pencils. For beginners just starting out, a more inexpensive student-grade pencil might be better.

#Cool pencil art professional

What to Look for in Drawing Pencils PriceĪs with all art supplies, the more professional and high-grade products will be more expensive. Aside from high-quality flat erasers on the ends, they're made with extra-firm yet incredibly smooth Japanese graphite lead ( view at Amazon). However, for those who like a built-in eraser, we recommend Palomino Blackwing 602 Graphite Pencils. These German-made pencils contain super-bonded lead, which wears evenly and resists breaking ( view at Amazon). These are the best drawing pencils you can buy online.įor premium-quality, dependable, and versatile drawing utensils, you can't go wrong with Staedtler Mars Lumograph. 'A good pencil set will have different shades of one color.' 'Sets that have different colors of the same intensity are okay, but not ideal for shading and complex color schemes in fine artwork,' she says. Our overall pick, the Staedtler Mars Lumograph Art Drawing Pencils ( view at Amazon) are a no-nonsense option that won't break easily and work for beginners and professionals alike.įinding a good range in colors and hues is key, says artist and art restoration specialist Sarah Valente. You will want to find the right firmness, color, and type for you and the art you wish to create.įrom fine-tipped and mechanical to colored and graphite, there are options out there for every skill level and budget. Though relatively straightforward, drawing pencils come in a wide range of styles and colors and various lead types. If your artistic expression involves drawing, doodling, sketching, hatching, shading, stenciling, or tracing, you'll need a high quality drawing pencil.