The Best Sketching Pencils

Although any piece of art relies on the talent of the creator, the right tools can make all the difference. Whether you’re just starting out or honing existing skills, practice will help you grow and improve.

Sketching is one of the best ways you can develop as an artist. Through sketching, you learn about shapes and composition while getting invaluable practice that you can apply to your projects later, whether you sculpt, paint or even take photos. The skills you learn through sketching can help you set up a scene for maximum visual impact.

You won’t need any special tools necessary to start sketching. You can grab a sheet of paper and any writing utensil and go for it. But once you get your hands on a set of graphite sketching pencils, you’ll immediately see the value in them.

A good sketching pencil set gives you a variety of shades to help you create contours and shading. This can add depth to your sketches that you can’t achieve as easily with other writing utensils. But there are different types of pencil sets, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for.

As you’re shopping, you’ll see letter grades on the sketching pencils you consider. H tells you the hardness of the pencil’s lead core and a corresponding number tells you how light the lead is. The higher the number, the lighter the lead; the hardest lead operates more like a chisel, with a light, fine line. H leads resist smudging.

On the darker end of the graphite hardness scale, you’ll also see sketching pencils designated with the letter B. A higher number next to the B tells you it’s blacker than pencils with a lower number next to the B. B leads smudge more easily, but you’ll also find them more erasable.

Basically, H pencils are lighter and harder than B pencils. The scale runs from the lightest and hardest (H9) pencils to the darkest and softest (9B). At about the middle, HB describes most regular pencils.

A pencil marked F may have a finer line. A fine pencil has a more defined point and can stay sharp longer. However, sometimes F is used to denote a grade on the graphite hardness scale between H (the lowest H lead) and HB (the middle of the scale).

It’s important to adjust your pencil to the artwork you’re trying to create. If you’re drawing something technical or you want to stick with lighter lines, choose an H pencil. For brush-like pencil drawings, go for B leads. When it’s time to add details, an F lead can do the trick.

Once you’ve squared away the type of pencils you need, it’s important to pay close attention to the quality of the material. There are plenty of sets for beginners, but more advanced artists will need to look for pencils that are built for more sophisticated drawing.

• Some pencils have features that will make them last a little longer. Break resistance is especially important for those planning to get a lot of use out of their sketching pencils.
• Your paper comes into play in the final product, too. Smooth paper and Bristol board are both great options for standard sketches. But for more detailed work, cartridge paper can take your drawings to the next level.
• You can buy sets that include only pencils, but if you’re just starting out, look for one that has erasers and sharpeners as well.
• Woodless or solid graphite pencils can help with blending. These come with some sets, so you might not have to shop for them separately.
• Some pencil sets come with tutorials to help you as you’re getting started with sketching. If not, you can find plenty of tutorials online, including some step-by-step videos on YouTube.
• Artists aren’t the only ones who can benefit from sketching pencils. Architects, designers and others use them as well. It’s important to go for a pencil set that focuses on hardness if you’re using them for technical drawings.
• For those who are environmentally conscious, some manufacturers make pencil sets using sustainable materials to help you keep your carbon footprint small.
• As you get to know more about your unique drawing style, you’ll be able to better steer yourself toward the best type of pencil for you.
• If you’re concerned about smudging, prioritize H pencils in your search. But you can also preserve your drawings with a fixative spray after they’re finished.
• The best way to get better at sketching is to practice, practice, practice. But you can also learn by looking at the sketches of others and possibly even taking a class. Over time, you’ll improve. In fact, copying other sketches is a great way to get comfortable with drawing so that you can start to create your own unique artwork.
• A drawing board can give you a firm surface to create on, along with a dedicated place to set up and store your work. Make sure it’s larger than the paper you’ll be working with and ensure there’s plenty of light so you can see what you’re doing.
• If you’ve been used to writing pencils all your life, you might find that you need to adjust your hand position for sketching. It’s important to find the positioning that’s most comfortable for you, but don’t assume you have to use the writing position you were taught in elementary school when you were learning to print your name.
• One of the best things you can do is make sketching a regular practice. Don’t feel pressured to be perfect at first. Experiment with different paper types and sketching pencils until you find your own style.