Graphite Pencils Reviews & Articles
We add new articles to our website every three months and make it a point to update existing ones to include more information or enhance their appearance. Remember to visit us often for the latest updates. To access articles of interest, click on any of the images below. Not all articles may be available for viewing, as some are still in progress or will be created soon. If you have any requests for specific articles, don't hesitate to contact us through our contact page.
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To support our website, which receives no funding, you can buy us a coffee for as little as £3/$3. We appreciate your support in helping us provide free content for artists worldwide.
Graphite pencils | A beginners guideNew to graphite pencils? Looking for some advice? Where to begin, what to buy!? Our recently updated article provides you with a comprehensive guide to the pencil to get you started and tips on how to successfully create your own graphite art.
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Derwent | Graphic pencilsThis 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.
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Derwent | Graphitint pencilsThis unique formulation of watercolour pencil offers pigment and graphite. When used dry, they provide a hint of colour but adding water transforms the tint into rich, shimmering shades with an underlying, graphite sheen. We test out these pencils in this article, see how we got on.
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Derwent | Onyx pencilsA personal review on Derwent's Onyx graphite pencils. Are they as black as Derwent claims? What can they achieve? Find out here.
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The 5 must-have Graphite pencil accessoriesAre you a graphite artist, or trying graphite pencils for the first time? In this blog, we discuss five must-have accessories for the graphite artist.
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Staedtler | Mars Lumograph pencilsThe Staedtler Mars Lumograph black pencil boasts a smooth matte finish, thanks to its high carbon content which gives it a deep and intense black hue. Using graphite pencils often results in a shiny finish, but this is eliminated when using the Lumograph black carbon pencils.
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Papers and supports for graphite pencils
Strathmore | 500 Bristol Vellum & PlateFor those artists that like to work on a very smooth paper, the archival Strathmore 500 plate surface may be just what you are looking for. See how it compares with both coloured & graphite pencils.
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Assorted watercolour paperRead information on different hot pressed watercolour papers before buying. Compare the size, weight and brightness of each and see which are vegan friendly too.
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Buntpapierfabrik Ludwig Bähr | UrsusAn acid free paper suitable for pencil artists and craft work. This is a low cost paper available in high white and 56 colour tones.
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St Cuthbert's Mill | BockingfordLooking for a smooth watercolour paper suited to pencils and paints that is acid free and archival? Bockingford might be the one for you.
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Legion | StonehengeThis is a high quality, affordable paper with quality fiber composition, archival properties and its suitability for multiple mediums including pencils. Want to know more about this popular paper, read our article.
UPDATED OCTOBER 2022 |
St Cuthbert's Mill | SomersetLooking for an acid-free & archival tonal paper? This paper is available in three textures and eight colours, including black. Suitable for pastels, pencils, charcoal, pen and ink and animal friendly! Click the image to find out more about this paper.
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Canson | Moulin du RoyArticle not currently available
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Art Accessories for Graphite Pencils
Ghiant | Transfer sprayThe perfect way to transfer outlines with minimal mess and less wastage than carbon sheets. A popular product amongst artists. Find out how it compares.
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Sharpening your pencilsThis article gives lots of information about different types of sharpeners as well as explanations on how they can play a huge part in your art techniques too.
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Pencil storage chestFinding suitable storage for your graphite and mechanical pencils 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.
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Loxley | Spray fixativeRead our blog for some hints and tips on when to use a fixative, how to apply and why you should never use hairspray as a cheap alternative.
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Jakar | Battery powered eraserNot currently available - article to follow
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Emboss toolsNot currently available - article to follow
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Why not try one of our graphite pencil tutorials
Our tutorials are created with each artist in mind regardless of calibre. We provide easy-to-follow, written explanations alongside images which allow you to easily recreate in your own portrait. We offer guidance on which pencil grade to use and at which stage you should use them, we also show you how to build up your layers, when you should blend and how you can create the finer details in your drawing which will help to achieve the realism in your work. If you are new to graphite pencils, we would recommend you begin with the first tutorial which explains the blend and shade techniques working along the line to the last one which is more challenging.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
