Something that many people often underestimate and misunderstand is the humble pencil. It’s more than just walking into a supermarket and picking the first thing you see. There are so many different options available, each created for a different purpose.
In addition to different purposes and applications, they’re made using different components and materials, all of which factor into the performance and cost of the pencil.
What Are the Different Kinds of Drawing Pencils?
Many of us are familiar with the traditional HB. The pencil we used for so many years during our schooling career. Unless you happened to take art, this is about where your knowledge of pencils may end.
If you are looking to venture into the world of drawing, the first thing you need to know is that one pencil alone will not suffice. You’ll need to buy a few different options to see what works and what doesn’t and, in some cases, may use more than one type when creating your masterpiece. The process of elimination will help you understand what you should be buying.
So, without beating around the bush, here are the types of drawing pencils available:
- Graphite Pencils: This are the “normal” number 2 or HB we’re all familiar with. They also come in mechanical varieties.
- Charcoal Pencils: Ideal for rough sketches and dark lines, although they can be messy.
- Coloured Pencils: These pencils are made using pigment and wax and aim to add a pop of colour to your drawing. They work very similarly to graphite pencils.
What To Look for In a Pencil
Okay, so now that you have an idea of the different types available, it’s time to look at the factors that need to be considered when choosing drawing pencils. The first thing worth noting is that pencils, besides the coloured varieties, are made using clay and graphite. The ratio thereof will affect the colour and texture of the line produced.
Pencils with more graphite present will be softer with a darker colour while those with clay will be harder with a lighter colour. The HB scale is used to rank the pencils and hep artists determine which pencil is their best bet.
In schools, the standard number two pencil is used, which is also referred to as HB pencils. HB refers to the hardness and blackness of the pencil. In America, the number two pencil is the same pencil many other countries refer to as simply HB. The H refers to hardness will the B refers to the boldness or blackness. It starts at 9H which is a hard pencil capable of producing a finer line and goes all the way to 9B which is softer with a bolder line.
Even with the scale, no two brands will ever deliver the same results, even if the two pencils are labelled as 2B, for example.
Give It a Try
The best advice we can give you is to go out and experiment with different pencils to see how they react to your drawing style. And honestly, that’s the best part as it’s as fun as mobile betting and even more creative!
