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Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black Pencil: A Carbon-Based Alternative to Graphite Pencils

10/8/2023

The 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.

Carbon and charcoal-based pencils are ideal for drawing, hatching, and creating expressive sketches and portraits. They produce deeper blacks than graphite pencils, making them a valuable addition to any art kit.

In this article, we analyse their effectiveness and the different features they offer for graphite-based artwork. Our aim is to allow you to determine if they would make a useful addition to your own art kit.

Staedtler Lumograph Mars blaack carbon pencil

Qualities:

High quality drawing pencil
Special lead formulation containing a high proportion of carbon for matt, jet black results
High break-resistance through special lead formulation and super-bonded lead
Available in 6 finely graded consistent degrees: 8B, 7B, 6B, 4B, 2B, HB
Lead diameters: 8B: approx. 4.5 mm, 7B/6B/4B/2B/HB: approx. 3.6 mm
Lines reproduce well
Wood from PEFC-certified, sustainably managed forests

Front of tin of the Staedtler Lumograph Mars black pencils

Inside the tin of 6 of the Staedtler Lumograph Mars black pencils

How do carbon based pencils compare to the graphite pencil?

GRAPHITE PENCILS

Much easier to blend
Smudges less than charcoal/carbon
Darker grades are much softer and more likely to break
Not as dark
A lot of shine
Smaller core takes longer to cover larger areas

CARBON PENCIL

Harder to blend due to their firm core
Smudges easier than graphite and will transfer onto clothes. Skin etc.
Harder, so less breakages
Better coverage in darkness
Virtually no sheen
Larger core allows for fuller coverage

We compared Staedtler Mars Lumograph black carbon pencils to graphite pencil brands Derwent and Faber Castell 9000. The HB grades appear similar, but the Lumograph black pencils' B grades are markedly darker than any graphite pencil we measured.

Pencil grade comparisons between Staedtler Mars Lumograph black, Derwent Graphic and Faber Castell 9000 ranges

ERASING

When it comes to erasing, it's important to note that not all pencils are created equal. Carbon pencils, (specifically, Mars black), tend to be much harder to erase than your standard graphite pencil. In fact, the difference is quite noticeable - just take a look at the comparison of the two samples side by side. Carbon pencil on the left and graphite on the right. So, if you're working with a darker lead pencil, be prepared to put in a bit more effort when it comes to erasing any mistakes.

Carbon sample on the left, graphite on the right

How do carbon based pencils compare to charcoal based ones?

Carbon pencils should not be mistaken with charcoal pencils. Charcoal is created by burning wood or other organic materials in a container with minimal airflow. The charcoal is then mixed with a binder, such as clay, wax, or gum. Carbon pencils are created by burning carbon instead, then mixed with a binder such as clay and lamp black, but may also be blended with charcoal or graphite depending on the darkness and manufacturer (source). They produce darker marks than graphite pencils, but feel smoother than charcoal, which can be gritty.

OVERVIEW
The composition of these pencils contain some graphite but are primarily carbon-based, resulting in a matte finish that diminishes the typical luster found in graphite pencils. Additionally, they are notably resilient, even in the darker grades, and do not flake during use. However, it is important to note that they are not well-suited for blending and cannot be fully erased.
If you want to achieve a dark and matte finish in your artwork, blending graphite and carbon pencils can be a great technique to try out. These two types of pencils can be combined to create a unique and striking effect that will enhance the overall look of your work. They work best for techniques like hatching or stippling that don't require blending. Why not try them and see how it can elevate your art to the next level.

Customer feedback:
(Via Amazon)

" The pencils are lovely, but because they are difficult to completely lift with an eraser. I'm not sure if they would be suitable for my daily sketches. I think I would sketch in a regular pencil first and then use these once I'm committed. "

" Great pencils.... I've always disliked how I'd get a shiny graphite tone when using 6B+ grades. I found charcoal and charcoal pencils don't blend with graphite to get black blacks but these do. "

" Leads are good and don't break readily. Would recommend. "

" After years of using graphite and carbon for drawing, I constantly look for new products. While the Staedtler 7B and 8B provide contrast, I found the Lyra and Faber Castell PITT Oilbase carbon pens more suitable. The Mars Lumograph black still feels like a graphite pencil and the degrees of hardness are unequal, for example, the 2B felt visibly harder than the HB. The 4B broke often, whilst the 6B was fine. However, they still have that shimmer found in graphite blends. The 7B and 8B pencils were harder than expected for their grade level. The level of graphite was noticeable, resulting in shades that are appropriately black. These pencils are unsuitable for my needs as they do not produce my desired effect and have unpredictable degrees of hardness." Translated from German

Staedtler Mars Lumograph standard versus Lumograph Mars black

Are these pencils significantly different from the standard blue Mars Lumograph pencils comparing same grades and is it worth owning both?
Answer:
Yes, They are significantly different. The black option is much darker and produces far less shine. Having both is a good choice.
Question and answer from the Amazon webstore.

Staedtler Lumograph Mars black and the Staedtler Lumograph Mars pencils

Wood from certified, sustainably managed forests.

Have you tried these pencils yet? please share your own personal opinions of them in the comments below.

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5 MUST-HAVE products for the graphite pencil ARTIST

14/10/2022

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Are you a graphite artist, or trying graphite pencils for the first time?
You don't need a large assortment of products. If you enjoy drawing outdoors, you can travel light, with no need for solvents and little to no mess.

The pencils are the most important part of the graphite toolkit, but they are more effective when combined with other products. In this blog, we discuss the five essential accessories for the graphite artist. If you are new to graphite pencils, you may prefer some over others, conditional on the style of your work. Let's take a look at them.

ERASERS/RUBBERS

Erasers are a must for any artist. Not only are they useful for erasing mistakes from your work, they can also be used as part of the creative technique. Highlight areas by erasing, lifting and softening the graphite to achieve the correct definition needed. An eraser is essential, but search any online art store and you will find so much choice. You may see it as overkill, and to a point, you are correct. Many art companies market similar products which they endorse for their own product ranges, so deciding which is the better option can be overwhelming.
Although we don't lean towards any particular brand, we provide images of the products we use ourselves, or have chosen purely for representation.

We discuss five different styles of eraser, that, depending on your artistic style, could be of interest to you. Do let us know in the comments section at the bottom of this page, what your personal favourite eraser(s) is and why.

standard eraser

This style of eraser is most commonly used. The corners, edges and the flat surface can be used wherever you need to erase. Choosing a dust-free option minimises dust drop, and is safer. These erasers do not contain any harmful phthalates (chemical compounds), but contain a mixture of balanced plastics.

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Kneadable putty rubber

Kneaded erasers have great flexibility, allowing you to stretch, compress, split, and mould it into shape to achieve precision. You can create highlights, clean edges and trim lines during the drawing process. You may struggle to remove dark marks, and they can also smear or stick if they get too warm.

PENCIL RUBBER

The Perfection Eraser Pencil is an eraser core in a wood-cased barrel. It is ideal for detailed erasing. The white end erases ink. The pink end erases graphite and coloured pencil.

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PEN ERASER

The refillable precision eraser Mono Zero Classic erases fine lines and small detailed corrections, where precision is essential. The classic version is available with round and rectangular tips.

the must-have eraser

Battery powered eraser

If you like detail, a battery powered eraser is the most useful tool to have in your arsenal. Use this alongside other erasers, to get the very best out of your work. There is no other eraser on the market that removes pencil from paper, like a battery powered eraser. It lifts almost all pencil from your paper, removing marks effortlessly, and doing all the hard work for you, leaving you to concentrate on accuracy. We highly recommend you practice how to hold and control this product before trying it on important work, as it is quite powerful!

The white hairs were created with the battery powered eraser

soft brush

Avoid touching your paper with your hands. The natural oils in your skin can transfer onto the paper, leaving behind smears and dirt that can stain. This may cause the graphite to congregate in patches, which you may struggle to remove. We recommend that you use a soft bristle brush to remove excess graphite or eraser dust from your paper, to avoid any surface contact. A make-up brush is a low-cost option. We recommend that you place a clean sheet of paper or glassine, between hand and drawing to avoid the transfer of oils.

Emboss tools

Embossing tools are used to indent your paper before you apply any pigment. This protects the surface of the paper from saturation. This is applied in areas you require highlights, such as catchlights in the eyes and strands of fur/hair, but it can also be applied between layers, to isolate and imprint any contours. Embossing tools are an indispensable product for artists. Sold individually or in multiple packs, each one has a metal ball attached to the tip, each with differing widths. Embossing tools can be used for a whole manner of arts and crafts, so we would recommend you purchase a pack, even if you don't use them for graphite work. Caution should be applied when using on soft papers like cotton as you may damage the surface. Abrasive paper, are not suitable for this technique as it will weaken the grit on the surface.

Royal Langnickel soft grip embossing tools 3 pack

Building up the layers of a graphite drawing of a dog's eye

Indenting is not a challenging technique, although, as you are making a mark in your paper, you do need to plan. If you are new to this technique, practice on a spare sheet of paper first, or why not try our tutorial here, which explains this technique.

blending tools

There are numerous tools that you can use for blending graphite. Tissues, tortillions, cotton buds, even make up sponges. We discuss two of the most effective tools to blend.

paper stumps & tortillions

Paper stumps and tortillions are tightly packed rolls of paper which form a pointed tip, allowing you to burnish your work across both large and small areas. Although you can peel away a layer of the paper when it becomes over-saturated, it can be useful to leave any excess pencil on the tip, as you can use this to apply a softer layer of pencil to your paper.

Paper stumps are pointed at both ends and are available in multiple thicknesses which can be purchased individually or in a pack. Tortillions are shorter and thinner and pointed on one end only. They are sold in multipacks as the are not as durable as the stumps. Stumps and blenders can be used with other mediums such as coloured pencils and pastels, but we suggest you keep them separate and avoid cross-contamination.

tissues

Tissues are the ideal product to use if you do not have any blending tools. Wrap it round your finger to blend larger areas, tear off a strip and wrap it round the tip of a blunt pencil to smudge and blend smaller areas. You should never blend pencil with your fingers as the natural oils will transfer to your paper and can damage your drawing. Pocket tissues are the ideal size to rip and tear to fit your needs, but you can use standard size tissues and even sheets of toilet roll. Kitchen roll may be too coarse, so may not be ideal. We do not recommend tissues that are infused with anything.

fixative

If you work with graphite pencils, we recommend that you fix your drawing once you have finished. It protects from accidental smudging (although it is not smudgeproof) and can add an extra layer of preservation if you buy a fixative with UV protection.

It is important to keep some distance between the can and your artwork (around 12"), in order to achieve an even layer. Make sure you shake the can thoroughly, and give it a light, even spray, using deliberate motion of left to right and up to down. Don't over saturate.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE USEFUL

We include a couple of other products that you may find useful, if not for your graphite pencil case, maybe for your other artistic ventures.

Sakura gelly roll pen in white - nib size 08

white gelly pen

If you want to add some really vivid highlights into your drawing, the white Sakura Gelly roll pen is the ideal choice. With 3 nib sizes, it is waterproof, acid free and fade resistant.

ERASING SHIELD/STENCIL

The drawing template shield is made of flexible stainless steel. They are very thin and work easily with an eraser. Good for precise and controlled erasing and drawing.

LEAVE US A COMMENT

What is your favourite product when working with graphite pencils and why? Have you changed products or brands over the years, or do you have a product that you have used for many years, even decades? Share with us all below.

0 Comments

Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black Pencil: A Carbon-Based Alternative to Graphite Pencils

Qualities:

Customer feedback:
(Via Amazon)

Staedtler Mars Lumograph standard versus Lumograph Mars black

Have you tried these pencils yet? please share your own personal opinions of them in the comments below.

5 MUST-HAVE products for the graphite pencil ARTIST

standard eraser

Kneadable putty rubber

PENCIL RUBBER

PEN ERASER

the must-have eraser

Battery powered eraser

soft brush

Emboss tools

blending tools

paper stumps & tortillions

tissues

fixative

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE USEFUL

white gelly pen

ERASING SHIELD/STENCIL

LEAVE US A COMMENT

Author

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Categories

SOCIAL MEDIA

INFORMATION

PAGES OF INTEREST

Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black Pencil: A Carbon-Based Alternative to Graphite Pencils

​Qualities:

Customer feedback:(Via Amazon)

Staedtler Mars Lumograph standard versus Lumograph Mars black

Have you tried these pencils yet? please share your own personal opinions of them in the comments below.

5 MUST-HAVE products for the graphite pencil ARTIST

standard eraser

Kneadable putty rubber

PENCIL RUBBER

PEN ERASER

the must-have eraser

​Battery powered eraser

soft brush

Emboss tools

blending tools

paper stumps & tortillions

tissues

fixative

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE USEFUL

white gelly pen

ERASING SHIELD/STENCIL

LEAVE US A COMMENT

Author

Archives

Categories

SOCIAL MEDIA

INFORMATION

PAGES OF INTEREST

Qualities:

Customer feedback:
(Via Amazon)

Battery powered eraser