Drawing Basics: Pencils

Every artist has their own special drawing utensils or weaponry :). Going into the art supply store it's pretty overwhelming with all of the choices of what you can draw with- because you can draw with practically anything.  Here are a few tips on how to discover the best drawing pencils for you.

Pencils are made of graphite and clay.  The numbers written on the side of the pencil is a European scale for H being the hardest and B is the softest and blackest.  The harder the pencil is the more clay the pencil has in it which it why it draws more gray. There are about 20 degrees on the scale and if you have a 9H pencil the hardest pencil and the most gray and if you use a 9B it is the softest with the most amount of black. If you use a #2 yellow pencil the European code is HB and the American scale is the #2.

Typically if you want to start drawing the best range is usually to stay in is the B's and the hardest pencil would be a 4H because going with a harder pencil can leave dents in the paper.  For my drawings I like the yellow #2 and a 2B or 4B.

Have you been drawing lately?


17 comments

Alexa said...

Such good tips about pencils. I haven't drawn anything lately. Need to get back into it!

Jessica (Coco/Mingo) said...

This is actually a really great and informative post, Erika! I'm interested to see more of the gear you use, esp in regards to painting!

Christine D. | The Plumed Nest said...

i had no idea. this is such great info. i think knowing this now i am probably one who like the softer B pencils. i try to draw, it's always on my list of things to work on - not only for "work" but i think it's very meditative that calms the spirit and opens up creativity. maybe i need some new pencils for inspiration ;)

Christine D. | The Plumed Nest said...

i had no idea. this is such great info. i think knowing this now i am probably one who like the softer B pencils. i try to draw, it's always on my list of things to work on - not only for "work" but i think it's very meditative that calms the spirit and opens up creativity. maybe i need some new pencils for inspiration ;)

Unknown said...

I think my preference for a pencil was always a HB when I would draw at school. I think it was HB, they were always black & yellow on the outside... It gave me that happy medium of being able to define lines quite clearly but also put a little bit of my 'smudge' shading on to a drawing if I wanted to. xo

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Kay said...

I did try drawing yesterday. I haven't done artwork much in ages and am starting again. I need tons of practice and instruction, I'm afraid. This post is very helpful. Thank you. And thank you very much for your visit and kind comment.

Emma Kate said...

I have always loved to doodle and would love to do something more with it. Thank you so much for sharing this!

Crystal said...

I love this post! It's so interesting to read about how the pencils are made. I always knew which pencils I liked best, but not why they are the they are. I haven't been drawing lately, but I did pull out my drawing pencils and a sketchbook so that I can start. I have so many ideas!

artisoo said...

fun post!

Unknown said...

nice to know a little more about pencils! I use 2B - 4B all the time x

Katrina Sophia Blog

To The River said...

That photo reminded me of me being in elementary school, I have to admit I regret not doing more drawing any more. But it's never late, right?,-)

Unknown said...

my first go at sketching was in an art class in college. i fell in love! i haven't made the time to do it much later or to continue my learning and growing..but i definitely hope to in the future!

Diana said...

Great tips -- haha, literally! And I love your blog -- so glad to have come across it!

Anonymous said...

I don't draw, but my husband draws a comic and I think this will be helpful for some future gift purchases for him.

Amy said...

Oh I love this! In drawing class I always liked F pencils too because they always rubbed out the easiest and I was scared of making mistakes! Now would you believe - I actually love drawing with a cheapie mechanical pencil (I'm a graphic designer, not an illustrator, so everything of mine gets scanned and traced in Illustrator anyway). I feel more relaxed with it for some reason! x

elethea said...

Great tips! Thanks for sharing. I want to start drawing again this year. This is helpful.