Starting out with Graphite pencils
Looking to start out with graphite pencils and not sure what you need?
Graphite pencils are a wonderful medium - the effects you can achieve from them can be truly impressive and as many a photographer tends to lean towards black & white photography for dramatic effect, so too does an artists for many of the same reasons. Luckily, starting out with graphite pencils does not mean breaking the bank, in fact it may be one of the cheapest mediums to start with. In this article you will find some great ideas & recommendations for starting out with graphite.
- Graphite pencils - Pencil grades start from H for illustrative fine lines and B-9B for effective realism
- White eraser - Ensure your eraser is only used for graphite and keep edges clean to avoid smudging
- Pencil sharpener - Ensure your pencil fits the sharpener, some pencils are thicker than others
- 3 ply tissues - The best way to blend large areas without using your hands/fingers
- Indent tools - Use before laying graphite down for fine lines you want to keep 'white'
- Paper stumps/Tortillions - ideal for blending small areas
- Pencil eraser - Good for erasing small areas
- Clean, soft brush - Perfect for wiping eraser bits from your drawing rather than using your hand.
- Electric eraser - Good for creating fine highlights in your work
- Spray fixative - A matte UV Fixative is best for Graphite portraits
HINTS & TIPS
DON'T: DO:
X Touch the paper with your hands. Natural oils can √ Use a clean sheet of paper underneath your spare hand
transfer onto the paper and spoil all your hard work to lean on throughout
X When erasing mistakes, avoid blowing the bits √ Use a paper stump/tortillion or sheet of tissue to
from your paper. Do not wipe them away with your blend instead of fingers
hand, as this may smudge your work.
Heavyweight paper (220/300gsm upwards) is best for those who like to create high detail or photo-realistic portraits. The higher the gsm, the thicker the paper and the more layers you can apply. Lower weight papers are fine for sketchy type portraits.
DON'T: DO:
X Touch the paper with your hands. Natural oils can √ Use a clean sheet of paper underneath your spare hand
transfer onto the paper and spoil all your hard work to lean on throughout
X When erasing mistakes, avoid blowing the bits √ Use a paper stump/tortillion or sheet of tissue to
from your paper. Do not wipe them away with your blend instead of fingers
hand, as this may smudge your work.
Heavyweight paper (220/300gsm upwards) is best for those who like to create high detail or photo-realistic portraits. The higher the gsm, the thicker the paper and the more layers you can apply. Lower weight papers are fine for sketchy type portraits.