After getting a number of requests from readers, we have put together this huge drawing guide for you đ Learn, Perfect and Master.
Note: If you click a link on this page, and make a purchase, I may receive a commission but at no extra cost to you. Learn More
Table of Contents
- Best Drawing Pencils Overview
- What To Look For In The Best Drawing Pencil
- Which Pencils Are Best For Beginners?
- Understanding Grades of Drawing Pencils
- Graphite Pencils
- Mechanical Pencils
- Colored Pencils
- Best Pencil Sharpeners
Best Drawing Pencils For All Your Art and Craft Needs
Whether you are learning to draw, or experimenting with sketching. Or shading, rendering or creating a rough draft of a soon-to-be masterpiece. Youâll need to know what the best pencils for sketching are.
Using different drawing techniques, the use of pencils can have a stunning effect.
There are hundreds of pencils on the market and finding the perfect set can be a tad overwhelming. Thatâs where this post has you covered.
Weâve done all the research for you, so you donât have to. Weâve spent many hours scouring top authority sites. We’ve also read countless reviews to come up with this comprehensive list.
Get ready to be one with your best drawing pencil and create magic!
Please note that this post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something through those links we will be earn a small commission. Thanks for supporting Crafty Like Granny đ
What To Look For In The Best Drawing Pencils
A Wide Range of Lead Grades
As with most art/craft mediums, creators will experiment with different pencil grades to see the effects they can create
Consistent Lead Quality
Consistency and smoothness of graphite drawing pencils are essential. This will ensure it produces the effect that users are expecting. Be sure to watch out for leads that scratch the paper, you donât want that in your drawing experience. Some leads may grip the paper more than others, and thatâs okay.
Easy to Erase Without Smudging
None of us are perfect, and sometimes there is a need to fix a mistake by using an eraser. You want to be using pencils that erase well and wonât leave smudges. You do want your finished drawing to look good!
Sharpen Well
Carefully crafted pencils made with high-quality wood. When sharpened the shavings are clean. Well made pencils are less likely to break. A bonus of this is they don’t have chisel-sharp broken tips or splintered ends when sharpened.
Which Pencils Are Best For Beginners?
Experimentation is critical when you are first starting on your drawing journey. The best drawing pencil set for beginners needs to have a range of options.
This allows you to work out what suits your style and what you create with different leads. Buying a selection of the best pencils for drawing with different grades would be a great way to start.
Do you consider yourself someone that can’t draw? The video below shows some simple steps to prove that you can!
Understanding Grades Of Drawing Pencils
Grades of pencils refer to hardness and texture. H stands for âhardness,â F for âfine point,â and B for âblackness.â
The grades range from numbers 2 to 9. The letter following the number determines whether it is hard âHâ or soft âB.â
In the middle the two grades meet. This is where you will find things like HB, B, F (fine point) and H. Hard pencils are lighter in tone while soft pencils are darker.
So the actual order of the grades of pencils is like this:
9H 8H 7H 6H 5H 4H 3H 2H H F B HB 2B 3B 4B 5B 6B 7B 8B 9B.
Higher H Grades
Features:
- Sharpen to fine points
- Take longer to become blunt
- Make light marks
Uses:
- Good for drawing details and preliminary drawings that you may not want to be permanent.
- Help blend the edges of darker areas for a gradient effect.
Higher B Grades
Features:
- Soft, dark pencils with high proportions of graphite.
- Become blunter quicker than other grades, but they are also smoother.
Uses:
- With different levels of pressure, these pencils produce the most variation between light and dark.
- Excellent for filling in dark areas, like shadows and facial contours.
Middle Grades: 2H-2B
Features:
- The middle grades contain relatively balanced levels of clay and graphite.
- Dark enough to show up well but are still hard enough to keep a sharp point
Uses:
- Good all-purpose pencils.
- Great for detailed work.
The standard sketching pencil is HB or 2B. Many people recommend this a great all-around go-to pencil, due to the lead falling between soft and hard.
Shading Techniques – How to Shade with a Pencil
By Matt Fussell
Learn shading applications such as hatching, cross hatching, blending, rendering, random or squiggly lines and stippling. Find out how to create the illusion of light with shading.
Learn The Basic Techniques For Drawing Realistic Eyes
by Darlene Nguyen
Follow Darlene’s easy step by step tutorial on creating a realistic eye.
How to Hold and Control Your Pencil
Do you hold your pencil correctly? In this video, drawing educator and a painter; Stan Prokopenko, will show you a brilliant method of making your strokes more precise and less tiring.
How to Draw a Mandala
by Thaneeya at Art Is Fun
Drawing mandalas can be very relaxing, and it’s you who decides what the final result is supposed to look like. So it can’t go wrong! Follow Thaneeya’s step by step tutorial.
2B or Not 2B? A Guide to Pencil Drawing Techniques
In this tutorial, you will learn the basic drawing techniques explained in an easily understandable way.
Learn How to Draw Cute Chibi Kawaii Pokemon Characters
Fan art is a great way to show your appreciation towards the creation of others. Do you like Pokemon? Then you’ll love this series of simple tutorials!
Human Anatomy Fundamentals – Basics of the Face
by Joumana Medlej
Learn how about the proportions of the face, the eyes, nose, ears and lips in this tutorial.
How To SKETCH Like A Pro! – Tools, Tips, and Tricks!
Being able to sketch is an essential part of any artist’s toolbox. From a rough first draft to a finished masterpiece. Sketching is a rewarding and straightforward art form. Anyone can do it. However, like any art form, it can be challenging and tedious. So for many people, this can end up as being more frustrating than enjoying.
No one wants that, do they? Draw with Jazza has a fantastic video on how to Sketch, with tips, tricks, hints and more. From those starting to those who have honed their craft to perfection. This video has something for everyone.
Best Graphite Pencils For Drawing
From beginners to experts, having the right tools for your sketching needs is a great start. Having good drawing pencils is key to success. Here are some recommendations for graphite pencils.
Tombow Mono Professional Drawing Pencil- 6 pack with Eraser – Assorted degrees
Superb quality black lead pencil. High-density graphite encased in cedar wood. The manufacturing process ensures that the lead is centered within the wood casing, making it break resistant and easy to sharpen. Very high-quality drawing pencils.
1 Each: 2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B, and Mono Zero Eraser (Round)
Uni Hi-Uni Mitsu-bishi Pencil Art Set – 10B to 10H – Box of 22
These pencils offer slightly darker color and are softer than other brands. Very easy to sharpen cleanly, They are exceptionally smooth and come in every grade from 10H – 10B.
Click to Learn More/Buy from AmazonCaran D’ache Graphite Line Gift Box Set
Caran DâAche in Switzerland is the countryâs only pencil manufacturer and has developed luxury crafted graphite pencils. These pencils have been carefully developed to offer all the different shades of black, thick and thin lines and a range of effects. The most luxurious pencil and for most, well worth the investment.
Click to Learn More/Buy from AmazonFaber-Castel FC800028 Castell 9000 15 Piece Graphite Pencil Set with Bag
No products found.The consistency of the graphite encased in the quality wood is a wonderful feature of this pencil. Sharpens to a fine point and the bag that they come with are perfect for travel. Contains different grades of hardness and have superior black, break-resistant leads.
No products found.Cretacolor Monolith Set
Cretacolor Monolith are woodless pencils that range in hardness from HB to 9B. These pencils have a protective lacquer coating and are easy to sharpen. Users have noted the comfortable weight of these pencils: not too heavy, not too light.
Click to Learn More/Buy from AmazonPrismacolor Premier Graphite Drawing Pencils with Erasers & Sharpeners, 18-Piece Set
These are woodless pencils have high quality graphite and sharpen consistently. Range of grades with strong points. Includes: 7 Turquoise drawing pencils (8B, 6B, 2B, B, 2H, 4H & 6H), 4 woodless graphite pencils (2B, 4B, 6B & 8B), 3 water-soluble graphite pencils (HB, 4B & 8B), 2 erasers (Magic Rub vinyl & kneaded rubber), 1 steel sharpener and 1 sanding board.
Click to Learn More/Buy from AmazonStaedtler Mars Lumograph Graphite Drawing & Sketching Pencils, Soft Set of 12 Degrees
These pencils are extremely break-resistant due to how they have been manufactured. They erase cleanly and the casings are made from sustainably-harvested cedar. Sharpening is a breeze with no cracks or splits. When in use they are smooth on the paper and easy to control.
Click to Learn More/Buy from AmazonDerwent Graphic Pencils (24 Pencil Set)
Excellent quality and craftsmanship. They draw smoothly and the range of pencils allows for crisp, detailed work. They blend beautifully and sharpen well. Users commented on how comfortable they felt in their hand.
Click to Learn More/Buy from AmazonLyra Rembrandt Art Design
These pencils are smooth on the paper, great for shading and erase easily. Some of the best shading pencils. They are made of high-quality break resistant lead. Durable and lasting with a range of degrees from 4H-6B. (4H,3H,2H,H, F, HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B)
Click to Learn More/Buy from Amazon
Best Mechanical Pencil For Drawing
Sick of sharpening your pencils? Mechanical Drawing Pencils are the answer!
What is a Mechanical Pencil?
Traditional drawing pencils have the lead or graphite bonded and encased in wood.
Not so the mechanical pencil, they have a lead or graphite core that is extendable and also replaceable.
The outer casing is often made from plastic or metal with comfortable grips.
What to Look for in a Mechanical Pencil for Drawing
Lead Thickness
Obtaining different lines is very important for sketching. Having different lead thicknesses offers more variety in the effects you can achieve. A 0.3mm mechanical pencil is commonly used for detailed drawing. The 0.5mm is frequently used for technical drawing. But it has been found to be very versatile to create all sorts of styles.
Durability
Plastic, Metal or wood barrels, are the choices in casing materials for mechanical pencils. Choose one that does not easily crack or break with consistent use.
Comfort
How a pencil feels in your hand is something you can only figure out. The comfort you experience during your sketching sessions is essential. Particularly if doing so for many hours.
Refills Are Readily Available
When choosing a mechanical pencil, considered the availability and cost of the lead/graphite refills.
Why use a Mechanical Pencil?
– As we mentioned before, you may be sick of sharpening a wood-cased pencil. Mechanical pencils require no sharpening due to their thin lead.
– The line width stays the same. Unlike a wood-cased pencil that writes a thin line when newly sharpened. But as you continue to draw, the line gets thicker
– The balance of a mechanical pencil stays the same. Unlike a wood-cased pencil which grows shorter as it is sharpened.
– You can keep a sturdy, durable mechanical pencil for years! You only have to refill the leads.
rOtring Rapid PRO Mechanical Pencil
Perfect for sketching and drawing. The barrel is made of metal but is comfortable to hold and feels balanced in the hand. The non slip surfaces with small ridges is a great feature. Due to the design of the sliding sleeve, breakage is at a minimum. There is a built-in sharpener under the push button cap. The company offers a limited warranty of 2 years from the original purchase date against defects in materials and workmanship.
Click to Learn More/Buy from AmazonPentel Kerry Mechanical Pencil
Comfortable in the hand, with good weight and balance. The measured lead advance mechanism is a feature of this design, with a compact and well balanced barrel. A luxurious look with a perfectly engineered barrel click attachment.
Click to Learn More/Buy from AmazonPentel Graph Gear 1000 Mechanical Pencil
Excellent design, look, solid feel due to the metal barrel. Great balance and the lead extender action users have said has a very satisfying click to it. The metal lead guide retracts into the pencil body to keep it safe from bending. The eraser sits inside a metal sleeve so that it does not get pushed into the lead reservoir. The lead guide retracts by springing open the shirt clip with a push of its top.
Click to Learn More/Buy from Amazon