​Our Story
A proud heritage dating back to 1832. Our story begins in the heart of the Lake District with the discovery of graphite in the Borrowdale Valley and the birth of pencil making in Keswick. By the 1800s pencil making in Keswick was a thriving cottage industry. The Cumberland Pencil Company was created in 1916 and the first Derwent colour pencil was introduced in 1938. Our Pencil Museum still stands on the site of our original factory in Keswick. Derwent has continued to be proud of its Cumbrian roots and in 2008 a purpose-built factory was opened in Lillyhall.
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At Derwent, we continue to evolve and improve not only our traditional pencils but also to introduce new innovative products serving generations of artists and hobbyists.

COLOURSOFT

DRAWING

LIGHTFAST

METALLIC - NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

PROCOLOUR

INKTENSE

GRAPHITINT

GRAPHIC

ONYX

BLENDER PEN

PASTEL PENCILS

BLENDING WITH DERWENT BLENDER PENCIL AND BURNISHER

The Derwent Factory video

A fascinating insight into how Derwents' pencils are made in the factory. Click the image above to watch the 13 minute video.

Derwent brand video 2016

Some of Derwent's products recorded in 2016.

Art Tutorials using Derwent products

WATERMELON USING COLOURSOFT PENCILS

WAVES USING LIGHTFAST PENCILS

DOGS EYE USING GRAPHIC PENCILS

PEACOCK FEATHER USING LIGHTFAST PENCILS

FACIAL FEATURES USING ONYX PENCILS