The Not-So-Humble Pencil!

PEROCI DRAWING RANGE FROM ARTWORK ESSENTIALS… BUT WHICH ONE IS BEST?

Pencils are often associated with schoolchildren and many of us were proud owners of pencil sets and pencil cases when we first started school. Of course, sooner or later we begin to use ballpoint pens and pencils become something representative of our younger years. But a quick look in any art store typically displays rows of shelves containing an array of pencils and sketching equipment, each own uses .

Graphite (lead) Pencils

Graphite is commonly used in the manufacture of these types of pencils and it is typically derived from carbon. Once called lead pencils (not the metallic element lead), graphite pencils are readily available in a range of grades. The core of the pencil is fabricated by mixing a finely ground graphite with clay powders (which makes the graphite solid but capable of being removed with an eraser), adding water and forming long strands that are fired in a kiln. Molten wax in the mix is often used to provide a smoother handling.

Most people are familiar with the trusty HB grey pencil from their schooldays. Despite its popularity, the HB pencil is not the best choice for the job when it comes to drawing, because it does not allow for a range of shading graduations.

When you look at pencils, they are usually classified into B and H categories. As a general rule, H pencils are graphite on the paper, while B pencils are soft, leave more graphite on the paper and are suitable for obtaining a variety of shading.

The following provides a general guide to pencils and their characteristics.

So why are there such a range of pencils? This is generally down to purpose. 8B–H are best for writing, sketching and cross hatching techniques. B–4H are recommended for technical drawing and transparent drafting papers. 9B–12B are very dark and most suitable for creating strong shading