Developing Your Graphite Skills: The Chess Piece Study

---

Learn the essentials of graphite pencil work in this beginner‑friendly tutorial, using a simple chess piece as the subject. You’ll explore the importance of layering, along with key techniques such as blending, lifting, and pressure control, gaining a clear understanding of how these methods work together to create clean values and controlled detail.
​
Across sixteen illustrated stages, the tutorial guides you from the initial outline through to the final refinements. Each stage includes precise instructions and practical tips, making the process straightforward even if you’re completely new to graphite pencils. The aim is to give you a solid foundation in the core techniques needed to produce confident, well‑structured graphite drawings.

To further enhance your experience, we have provided the reference photo and you can also access a downloadable outline in the Step by Step Art kofi shop, that you can print out and use.
​
What You'll Learn:

• Layering — Understand how different pencil grades influence value, and learn to build depth and dimension through controlled, progressive layering.
• Lifting — Learn why highlights are lifted after the initial application rather than preserved by drawing around them, and how this approach produces brighter, cleaner results.
• Blending — Explore how to blend effectively with the right tools, manipulating the graphite to create smooth transitions, balanced values, and clean areas of light.
• Pressure Control — Develop confident control over both your pencil and blending tools, allowing you to place darks and lights with accuracy and maintain consistent tonal balance.

Reference Image & ​​Materials List

REFERENCE IMAGE

In this tutorial, Faber‑Castell 9000 graphite pencils and Bockingford hot‑pressed paper are used, but you don’t need these exact materials to follow the process successfully. Any good‑quality graphite pencils will behave in a similar way, provided you use the same grades listed in each step. A heavyweight hot‑pressed paper is recommended because its smooth surface and sturdier construction make layering, blending, and refining far easier, giving you a reliable foundation and the best chance of achieving a comparable result.​

• Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper (300gsm)
• Graphite pencil grades:​​​
• 2B Pencil ​
• 4B Pencil​
• Sheet of Tracing Paper
• Sheet of spare white paper
• Clean Eraser
• Soft Brush​​

​
The following accessories are helpful for lifting small highlights and refining details, but they’re entirely optional. A standard eraser can achieve the same effect with a bit of care.

• ​Pencil Eraser
• Battery-powered Eraser

---

​​Important Information before you Begin

• Protect your artwork: To prevent natural oils from your hands from transferring onto your drawing, always place a clean sheet of paper under your hand while you're working. These oils can potentially damage your artwork and may be difficult to fix.
• Sharpen your pencils: Make sure your pencils are sharpened before you begin, as a longer point gives you better contact with the lateral side of the pencil. 
• Create a strong outline: Keep your outline dark until the later stages. A stronger outline preserves the shape and key markings, giving you clear edges that can be adjusted with both pencil and eraser as the layers develop.
• ​Apply firm pressure: Apply strong, confident pressure when building the layers. Using the lateral side of the pencil helps you create heavier, smoother coverage that lifts cleanly, rather than hard lines that make blending and highlight removal more difficult.

---

FIND THE OUTLINE TO THIS TUTORIAL ON OUR KOFI PAGE

​Our Ko-fi page features a shop where you can download the outline for this tutorial. These outlines are completely free for our Ko-fi followers. If you're not yet a member, consider joining to access all these resources at no cost or, if you prefer, you can simply screengrab the outline and print out.

What is kofi?

In this tutorial, you will explore a valuable technique for creating graded layers before lifting highlights, which will help you achieve depth and luminosity in your detailed drawings. The main goal of this tutorial is to empower you with the skills needed to construct form, while placing less emphasis on achieving a wholly realistic depiction.

​By focusing on just two grades from the B pencil range, you can create smooth layers, even with heavy application. This approach simplifies the process of lifting highlights in specific areas, enabling greater control over your artwork. Additionally, understanding the importance of various accessories, such as a protective sheet to place beneath your hand, a blender to limit contact with the paper, and different types of erasers that allow for various levels of pressure when lifting highlights, will greatly support your drawing endeavors. By mastering these tools, you will significantly improve the quality of your future graphite drawings.​

Stage 1 - Outline

Products Used: 2B Pencil - Protective paper

Use a 2B graphite pencil to create a strong outline at the start of the drawing. Keep the tracing paper beneath your drawing hand throughout the drawing process to protect the surface from oils, smudging, and accidental pressure marks. Apply the outline with firm, deliberate pressure so the line remains clearly visible through the early layers of graphite and continues to act as a reliable guide while the tonal structure develops.

Stage 2 - Foundation Layer

Pencil Grade Used: 2B grade

With the outline complete, begin shading the full area using the lateral side of the 2B pencil, keeping the strokes soft, avoiding the sharp marks that come from working directly with the point.​ Holding the pencil lower on the barrel increases pressure and produces a darker, richer application that fills the tooth of the paper. Jumbo graphite pencils can speed up coverage if preferred. Work from top to bottom in circular strokes to create a smooth, unified first layer.

Stage 2 Complete - Foundation Layer

Pencil Grade Used: N/A

The 2B grade offers a balance of softness and control, making it ideal for the foundational layer. However, pressing too hard on the point can indent the paper, so maintain a steady, moderate touch and allow the graphite to move smoothly across the surface rather than digging in. Any visible lines at this stage are expected; once blending begins, these marks will soften and merge into the tonal base, helping establish the early structure and guiding the development of later layers.

Stage 3 - Initial Blending

Tool Used: Blending Stump

Blending is best carried out with a tool rather than fingers, as natural oils can disrupt the graphite and leave unwanted sheen or residue on the surface. A stump already carrying graphite from previous use often blends more smoothly, avoiding the lifting of pigment and helping the tones settle evenly. Use circular motions to unify the surface, soften early marks, and create a deep, even base that will support the second layer of graphite with greater stability.

Stage 3 - Blending Continued

Tool Used: Blending stump

As blending continues downward, unwanted marks or slight indents will begin to soften and integrate into the surrounding tone. Blending naturally lightens the graphite, which is why the initial application can be confidently heavier than it appears necessary. The outline may blur or shift slightly during this stage, but this is easily corrected later, so focus on achieving a balanced, softened first pass.

Stage 4 - Second Graphite Layer

Pencil Grade Used: 4B

Move to the 4B pencil for the second layer, again working in circular motions to maintain consistency. Apply the graphite more heavily than instinct suggests, as blending will inevitably lighten the value. Holding the pencil lower increases pressure and deepens the tone. Reinforce the outline if it fades; keeping this guide visible ensures clarity as the tonal structure develops and the form becomes more defined.​

Stage 4 - Second Layer Continued

Pencil Grade Used: 4B

As the darker layer progresses, some uneven marks or patches of stronger pigmentation may appear, but these will soften during the next blending stage. Darker grades contain less binder, making the core softer and easier to manipulate across the surface. This softness allows the graphite to settle smoothly into the paper, creating a richer, more unified finish.

Stage 5 - Second Blend

Tool Used: Blending stump

After completing the second layer, return to the blending stump to refine and unify the surface. Aim for a balanced overall tone rather than perfect, mechanical smoothness. Where heavier marks remain, apply slightly more pressure to even them out and push pigment gently into any small paper indents. This helps minimise their visibility and maintains cohesion across the drawing, preparing it for final adjustments.

---

​Related Articles You May Find Helpful

---

Explore the graphite pencils that make learning the medium easier for a beginner.

See which 5 products are the must-have tools when starting out with graphite pencils

A cost effective archival watercolour paper for pencil artists.

---

Stage 6 - Tidying Up

Tool Used: Vinyl Eraser

Now is the time to tidy any stray graphite that has spread beyond your outlines. Use the corner of a standard eraser to carefully lift unwanted marks, working slowly so you do not disturb the shading you have already built. For very small areas or tight curves, a pencil eraser with a fine point offers better control, allowing you to clean right up to the edge of the drawing while keeping the transitions neat and precise.

Stage 7 - Removing dust

Tool Used: Soft Brush

Once the excess graphite has been removed, clear away any remaining dust using a soft brush. Avoid blowing across the paper, as moisture can mark the surface, and oils transferred through handling the paper can also interfere with later layers. A soft brush gently lifts debris without dragging graphite across the drawing, helping you maintain clean tones and preventing accidental smudges that can dull or muddy your shading.​

Stage 8 - Lifting (Erasing)

Tool Used: Vinyl Eraser

Next, begin lifting the lighter areas to strengthen the sense of light. Using the rounded end of your eraser, gently rub across the brightest sections to remove a thin layer of graphite, following the direction of the light source. Focus only on the areas that should catch the most light, leaving the mid‑tones and shadows intact. If the eraser becomes dirty, clean it on scrap paper before continuing so each lift stays crisp. 

Stage 9 - Removing dust

Tool Used: Soft Brush

After lifting, there will be loose dust on the surface, so use your soft brush again to remove it. If the highlights still appear too dull, repeat the lifting process until the values match the lighting effect you want. At this stage, you may notice that some outline lines remain quite firm, while others have softened slightly. Do not worry about these yet, as they will be refined and adjusted in the following step.

Stage 10 - Softening Hard Edges

Tool Used: Blending stump

The lifting stage often leaves hard edges where the tones should blend more gently. To correct this, use a clean blending stump and lightly smooth only the lifted sections, avoiding the darker areas so you do not lose contrast. This targeted blending softens the transitions without turning everything into a single flat tone. By refining these edges now, you ensure the highlights sit naturally within the form.

Stage 11 - Highlights Creation

Tool Used: Battery-powered eraser or pencil eraser

Now to create the highlights where the light catches the sheen of the chess piece. A battery‑powered eraser is ideal for this, as the extra power produces cleaner, stronger lifts than a standard eraser. A manual eraser will still work, but the highlights may appear softer. Once the highlights are in place, soften their edges with a blender to keep the transitions smooth, then clear away any remaining dust with your soft brush.

Stage 12 - Defining the Detail

Pencil Grade Used: 4B

The final stage focuses on deepening the shadows and refining the details that define the curves of the chess piece. Use a 4B pencil to build the darkest values, as its softness creates rich tones without harsh lines. With the blender, work carefully around the edges where needed so dark and light areas merge as smooth transitions rather than sharp joins. This balance is what gives the drawing its realistic, three‑dimensional appearance.

The final Drawing

Well Done!

The completed drawing demonstrates how carefully controlled dark and light values, combined with soft, gradual transitions, create convincing curves and depth. One of the advantages of graphite is its flexibility; you can continue to adjust and refine the tones until the balance feels right. If you decide the shadows need more strength, you can introduce a 6B pencil to add an extra layer of depth, increasing the contrast between the brightest highlights and the darkest areas for a more dramatic finish.

---

Related articles that may be of interest​

---

A quick guide to sharpening graphite pencils for clean points and better control.

Discover the Derwent Graphic pencils.

Acid free & Archival - What you need to know about paper quality.

​​Final Analysis: How technique and the right tools elevate graphite work

Graphite drawing relies on control, patience, and an understanding of how light interacts with form, and the techniques used throughout this process are what allow those elements to come together with accuracy. The tools chosen matter just as much as the method: the softness of a 4B pencil for rich shadows, the precision of a fine eraser for lifting highlights, the strength of a battery‑powered eraser for crisp reflective points, and the subtlety of a blending stump for smoothing transitions without flattening the tones. Each one contributes something specific, and learning when to use them is what gives you the confidence to shape curves, refine edges, and build depth gradually.

Graphite itself is a forgiving and highly responsive medium, capable of delicate shifts in tone or bold contrasts depending on how it is handled. Its ability to be layered, lifted, blended, and corrected makes it ideal for developing strong observational skills and understanding tonal structure. With consistent practice, these techniques become intuitive, allowing you to create drawings that feel balanced, dimensional, and controlled, while still retaining the expressive qualities that make graphite such a versatile and rewarding medium.

View our other Graphite pencil tutorials

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Why not explore our other graphite pencil tutorials by clicking the links below?​