A beginners guide to Graphite pencils

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Graphite pencils are a wonderful medium. You can create impressive designs with a little knowledge on layering and blending using various grades of pencil and the introduction of accessories. Graphite pencil art provides contrast to add impact and drama in your drawings, where the introduction of colour can draw attention away from the impact of a subject.
Starting your journey with graphite pencils does not mean breaking the bank, in fact, it may be the most economical of mediums. In this article you will find some great ideas & recommendations for starting out with graphite, we provide you with a list of useful products, some you may wish to purchase at a later date. There is no point spending a fortune on the best quality products if you find that this medium is not for you.

1. Graphite pencils

The first thing you will need is a set of graphite pencils. With many brands out there, it is just a case of individual preference. But how do you decide which to buy? The truth is, there is no 'perfect' solution. Many artists own various ranges and use them interchangeably, there is no 'miracle' brand that will suit every artist. Many art companies have a graphite pencil in their collection, but dig a little deeper and you may be surprised to find that there is more to the graphite pencil than meets the eye. Across the brands, grades can vary. Some may be slightly lighter or slightly darker. Staedtler has a range called Mars Lumograph Black, which contains a high proportion of carbon, providing a matt, jet black finish to your work. The standard pencil leaves a polished finish. Other brands are water-soluble, allowing you to create washes. The Derwent Graphitint range mixes graphite with a hint of colour, made more vibrant by mixing with water. So, not all graphite pencils are the same. The grades in a large, standard graphite set range between 9H - 9B (Derwent Graphic) or a 10H - 12B like the Staedtler Mars. Below we discuss some of these brands.

Graphite pencils

A graphite pencil, is not actually graphite, but a non-toxic form of carbon. It is a type of pencil in which a thin graphite core is embedded in a shell of other material, most commonly, wood. The first lump of graphite was found in Keswick, in the UK back in the 1500's. Resistant to moisture, ultraviolet radiation, and natural aging.  Grades range between 9H and 12B.

Water-soluble graphite pencils

A chunky graphite stick like the Lyra Graphit pencil allows the user to cover large areas more swiftly. They are highly economical as the whole of the stick can be utilised. Suitable for people who find a larger grip more comfortable to use. Paper coated, these solid sticks of graphite are soluble in water and are fantastic for monochromatic watercolour applications.

Tinted water-soluble graphite blocks

Tinted water-soluble blocks and pencils offer a little more to the pencil artist than shades of grey. The blocks allow you to create a wide variety of textures and effects by using on their side, edge or corner and can easily be blended/smudged. The water-soluble pencils like Graphitint allow you to create finer details or mix with water to create watercolour portraits.

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2. Paper/support

There are many surfaces available for pencil artists that it is difficult to know which one to choose for your early attempts. A hot pressed watercolour paper is always a good starting point and you can always buy a budget pad from a brand like Winsor & Newton. Recommendations are helpful, but a brand that works for one artist is not always going to work for the next. Some artists prefer very smooth paper, others prefer ones with a tooth, which adds interest to their work. If the paper is too smooth, the pencil won't grip as well. Too gritty and you may struggle with detail. It is all about personal preference and we suggest that you buy a trial pack so you can test a selection of popular brands for yourself and choose the one you like the most. Here we explain three different paper options. 

Smooth paper

A bright, white surface is the most effective surface for graphite portraits. The brighter they are, the better the contrast in your values. Choosing a very smooth paper can make work arduous, as the pigment cannot grip as well, so you need to add extra layers. Papers like Strathmore Bristol plate, Bockingford or Fabriano Artistico are very popular. All are archival, so they will not discolour over time.

Textured paper

Textured paper provides a toothy surface which helps the pigment to grip better. This lets you create darker values, leaving the highlights looking brighter. Textured paper is not suitable for every graphite artist, especially if you create hyper-realism. This type of paper would just be a hindrance. However, fine grit papers like Strathmore Bristol vellum can provide a good balance.

Watercolour paper

Watercolour paper is ideal for graphite portraits, particularly so if you are using a water-soluble product and you need paper that easily absorbs water during colour-mixing. Watercolour papers come in assorted shades of white. A bright white paper will help to intensify the highlights in your pencil work. If you work on a commission basis, make sure your paper is lightfast and archival. 

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3. Rubber/Erasers

Using one eraser in your work is not going to be convenient for every section of your drawing, which is why there are so many types available. Novelty erasers are not useful for artwork, especially the coloured ones. The pigment can actually transfer to your paper and you may not be able to erase it. Pencil form and battery powered products are very useful in your collection alongside the standard eraser, but are by no means the only ones we recommend. Here we explain the uses and benefits each can offer.

Polymer eraser

The most cost-effective option for an artist. If you spend a lot of time creating art, particularly large portraits, it is more economical to buy a whole pack. You can use the corners for removing small segments and the long edge for the large areas. Most importantly is ensure you keep your rubber clean so wipe the soiled areas of the eraser on a spare sheet of paper. 

Pencil eraser

The pencil eraser is a standard shaped barrel consisting of an eraser core running through the centre. The Faber Castell 'Perfection' range has four options available. The white core is firm, suitable for ink removal or hard lines. The pink core is soft and suitable for most pencil work. There is a double edged version providing both options in one pencil and the fourth option is a white core with a black brush on the end to brush debris off the paper.

Battery-powered eraser

These are a must-have tool as they are so practical. If you are trying to pull back the whites of your paper for highlighting and creating catchlights, they have the power to remove almost all the pigment from your paper. Refill packs are available so you can replace the tip whenever it becomes too blunt or dirty. You can easily change the tips so you can use it with other mediums, which will avoid cross-contamination.

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4. Useful tools for applications

During the creation process, there are specific tools that can help you get the most out of your art and help you create high-realism and others that can help you achieve smoother blending. A pencil sharpener is much more than simply providing a sharp tip with which to work with, the type of sharpeners you use and how you sharpen your pencil can make a huge difference to your applications. Here we provide information about some must-have tools and a link to our useful guide to sharpening pencils.

Blending Stumps

Blending tools are an absolute must for the pencil artist. You can also use a tissue, but a tortillion or blending stump is easier to use. Ideally, have them all in your kit. Blending stumps come in assorted sizes. The slimmer ones are ideal for blending small areas and the thicker ones for large areas. Tissues can be used when blending large areas too. Never use your fingers to blend due to natural oils that may transfer to your paper.

Indent Tools

Embossing tools are invaluable for the graphite artist, particularly if you work in realism. They can be used to indent the paper for the creating highlights and fine detailing. They have rounded tips which help to protect the paper from tearing. They are available individually or in a set, some with single and others with double headed tips of varying sizes. Suitable for use with other mediums too.

Pencil Sharpener

The basic sharpener tends to be a single or double holed sharpener and made of plastic or metal. The metal brand is far more robust than a plastic one as it is stronger, easier to replace the blades and adds less pressure on the wood in your pencil due to the robustness. Manual sharpeners and battery powered offer less pressure on the hands. Click the image above to find out how the pencil sharpener can be used to improve your art.

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​5. Recommended accessories 

These products are recommended as they are an important part of the graphite tool kit. As we do not recommend you touch your paper, a soft brush is useful for the removal of debris. The glassine paper is a grease-resistant paper that can be cut to size and placed between your hand and drawing during each session. Finally, a fixative is ideal for protecting your finished drawing to stop accidental smudging. If your drawing is to be framed behind UV glass, you may prefer not to use fixative at all. We explain these products in more detail below.

Soft Brush

A soft brush is a must for every pencil artist. When you erase or apply heavy applications of pencil, this creates dust. Removing it with a soft brush is far more preferable than using your hands, as you can transfer oils onto your paper or if you try blowing the debris away, you may spray droplets onto your drawing and spoil your work. Ensure you keep your brush clean and use a different one if working with a different medium.

Glassine Paper

A smooth and glossy paper that is air, water, and grease resistant. It is also acid-free and has multiple uses for an artist. Use it to package or store your drawings or use it as a protective layer between your artwork and your hand to avoid the transfer of any oils. You can also use it to cover your drawing when you aren't working on it too. A multi-functional product and cost-effective when purchased as a pack.

Aerosol Fixative

A fixative is useful to protect your finished drawing from atmospheric damage caused by moisture and the suns UV rays. It also helps to prevent accidental smudging until your drawing is put into a frame or safely stored in a folder. The Loxley spray fixative 200ml is a high quality, colourless, non-yellowing protection medium with UV Filter and is CFC free. Click the image to read our blog post on this product and see how it can help you in your work.

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​6. Useful products for graphite artists

The following products are offered as product suggestions rather than stating they are a necessity. As you may already have a suitable desk and storage system, you also may not wish to use an aid to create your outlines. With this in mind, we provide you with information on each should you find the information useful.

Tracing outlines

Graphite sheets and transfer sprays like Ghiant, offer an effortless way of creating your outlines before you begin your work. The Tracedown sheets are placed beneath your reference photo and placed on your drawing paper. The Ghiant transfer spray is sprayed over the back of the reference image. Secure the reference image onto your paper with tape, or a paperweight if you do not wish to damage the paper, then draw over the outline of your photo.

Easel/Illustration desk

​Easels can be as simple as a flat piece of wood or it could be a standard desk or floor easel. If you have an area in your home that you can utilise when creating your art, securing your art to a flat and sturdy surface is important. This will allow you to create without your paper moving around or getting damaged. If you spend many hours creating your art, you need to ensure you are comfortable and that you do not put undue pressure on your neck and back. A supportive chair is a must.

Pencil storage chest

Finding suitable storage for your graphite pencils and accessories can be difficult, so when we came across this pencil chest made by 'Creations by Rod', we wrote an article about it. They make 24 unique designs including the pencil chest, which are aimed at the creative market. You can also buy other units where you may wish to store the bulky items from your pencil kit. Each unit measures 33cm square and can fit in a Kallax cube.

Hints & Tips

Here are a few recommendations of what to do and not do when working with graphite pencils. This list is not exhaustive and the more you create, the more you will learn what works best for you and what doesn't. The main takeaway when working with pencils is not to touch the paper with your hands due to the natural oils. Have a sheet of paper or glassine sheet beneath your hand at all times. This will help to stop smudging too.

​DON'T:                                                              
X  Avoid leaning onto your working paper. Place a blank sheet of paper underneath your hand to avoid smudging your pencils whilst you work.
X  Avoid touching your paper with your hands. Natural oils can transfer to your paper which can damage your work. Use tools instead.
X When erasing, don't blow the bits from your paper. Dust away with a soft brush instead.
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DO:
√  Use a pencil eraser to remove tiny mistakes
√  Use a paper stump/tortillion or even a tissue to blend instead of using your fingers.
√ Use a soft brush to dust away eraser bits rather than your hand, so you don't transfer natural oils to your paper.
√ Use a heavyweight paper (220gsm+) if you create high detail or photo-realism art as you can apply more layers. Lower gsm papers are ideal for sketches.

Related articles that may be of interest

Find out how pencil sharpeners can aid your pencil techniques

A heavyweight and archival paper perfectly suited to graphite pencils

Looking to become a commission based artist? This article may offer some useful pointers to get you started.

Take a look at all our other graphite pencil articles. You can also find our step by step tutorials here.

Pencil grading explained

What do the numbers and letters all mean?
All graphite pencils are numbered, followed by a letter which are stamped or printed onto the barrel/sleeve. Below we explain what this information means and where best to use the pencils in your work.
H means HARD. They have a hard core and are paler in tone than those grades above them. They allow the user to create very fine lines. They are most suited to sketching and graphic design work.
B means BLACK. They have a soft core. The higher the number, the darker the tone and the softer the lead. This makes them more vulnerable, and extra care should be taken particularly during the sharpening process. These grades are ideal for creating realistic art via multiple layering to achieve a high level of contrast between the highlights and shading.
F means FINE - Grade wise, it is found between the H and the B and used for fine outlines. Deeper in tone than the H grades, this can be used for whiskers, hair and general outlines for preparation work.
HB means HARD BLACK which is where the two grades join. It sits between the F and the B grades and is most commonly used in schools. It provides a balance of firmness in application and dark in tone.

The chart above displays the grades from the Staedtler Lumograph Mars graphite pencil set and offers the widest selection of grades. Note how fine and light the H pencils are compared to the deeper and thicker B grades.

Note how the lead of the H pencil (bottom) is thinner than the B grade. This is due to the fact that there is less 'binder' in the B pencils so they tend to be softer and require more support in the thickness of the lead.

Do you really need a lot of products to create great art?

No, you do not need a huge collection of products to create great art. For this example, we only used a 5B pencil. Manipulating the pressure where needed helped to achieve the depth and the eraser helped to achieve the highlights. We blended using a paper stump or to create a home-made one, wrap a tissue around the end of your pencil to achieve the same effects. To create the highlights, we used various erasers to achieve this, using the pencil eraser to get very fine highlights - you can simply use the pointed corner of your eraser instead. The trick to achieving realism is by creating natural transitions. This can be achieved by softening edges with a blending stump or tissue. Why not give one of our free tutorials below a try? Take your time and enjoy the process!

* ​5B graphite pencil *    * Hot-pressed watercolour paper *     * Spare sheet of clean paper *     * Clean Eraser *     
* Pencil eraser, or battery-powered eraser *   * Blending stump &/or tissue *    * Soft brush *

Reference photograph - late 1940's

Base layers applied and outlines defined

Drawing completed

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Why not try one of our graphite pencil tutorials

If you are new to graphite pencils, we recommend that you start at the 'Blending & Erasing' tutorial which will show you how to get the most out of this medium and the tools which will help you achieve effective methods. The 'dog eye' and 'facial features' tutorials are suitable for all pencil artists, although depending on previous experience, you may find them a little more challenging. Take your time and enjoy your journey with this fascinating medium.

FOR BEGINNERS...

Layering & Blending Exercise - Graphite Pencil Tutorial

FOR ALL ARTISTS/INTERMEDIATE...

Layering & Blending Exercise - Graphite Pencil Tutorial

FOR ALL ARTISTS...

Male subject - Learn how to draw facial features graphite pencil tutorial

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We run graphite pencil art workshops in Chesterfield, Derbyshire (UK)
Want to find out more? Click here.​

Graphite pencil brands

We have articles on the different types of graphite pencil. If you wish to find out more about them, click the images below to visit the article. Some are not yet available as we continue to add to this list, but will follow. 

Derwent Graphic pencils

​This range is trusted by professional artists worldwide and suitable for all art and design purposes. Read our article about these pencils and see what they can achieve.​

Derwent Graphitint

This unique formulation provides a hint of colour, but adding water transforms them into rich shades with a graphite sheen. We test out these pencils, see how we got on.

Derwent Onyx

A personal review on Derwent's Onyx graphite pencils. Are they as black as Derwent claims? What can they achieve? Find out here.

Faber Castell 9000

ARTICLE TO FOLLOW

Staedtler Mars Lumograph

ARTICLE TO FOLLOW

Staedtler Mars Black

ARTICLE TO FOLLOW

Derwent Blocks

ARTICLE TO FOLLOW

Graphite pencil accessories

ARTICLE TO FOLLOW

​Article updated: February 2022