ARTEZA Break Resistant Drawing Graphite Pencils, 48-Piece

There are plenty of differences between doodling in a high school notebook and practicing the artist’s craft on a sketch pad. First, there’s the dedication and training. And then there are the tools. While professional graphite art pencils might resemble those old reliable No. 2 lead pencils that we all used in school, they are capable of so much more.

If you’re buying your first set of art pencils, the variety can be a little intimidating. For one thing, there are a lot more numbers (and letters) to deal with than just the No. 2. Graphite pencils will typically come in a kit of pencils in different shapes and thicknesses marked “H,” “B,” “HB” and “F,” paired with an accompanying digit.

Graphite pencils are actually made from a mix of graphite and clay. “H” pencils are harder pencils, thanks to a higher concentration of clay. They make lighter lines, well-suited to cross-hatching or precise architectural drawings. The higher the number preceding the “H” (2H, 3H, etc.), the lighter the mark will be.

“B” grade pencils are on the opposite end of the spectrum. They contain more graphite and will draw softer, darker lines. If you need to do some shading, these are your tools. The higher the digit accompanying the “B,” the softer the line will be. If you’re looking at these pencils on a scale, 9H would produce the lightest lines and 9B would give you the softest.

Somewhere in the middle are HB (hard black) and F (fine point) pencils. Both are roughly equal to the plain-Jane pencils most people are familiar with, which is not to say they can’t be useful in a sketchbook. Sometimes the familiar tools are the best.

Composition aside, most drawing pencils are structured the same as all-purpose pencils: The graphite core is encased in wood, making it easier to grip (and less messy). As your skills progress, you may want to try out “woodless” pencils that are essentially all graphite, with a coating of lacquer to protect your hands. This allows you to custom-sharpen your tip, leaving behind thicker, softer lines alternating with finer marks.

To find the right tools for you, draw with as many as you can. Variety kits are popular with beginners for a reason. They’ll get you comfortable with a range of marking styles and open you up to a whole new world of creativity.

• You’re paying a bit extra for professional art pencils, so be sure that you take care of them. Yes, you can sharpen them with a traditional pencil sharpener, but be aware that this method can shave off more than you need — especially with softer material.
• Feel free to use a razor, utility knife or even a piece of sandpaper to fine-tune your tips without losing too much graphite. You’ll save your pencils and get results you wouldn’t be able to achieve the easy way.