Article Written By G-Star Student: Khris Giljam
Looking for the best drawing pencils? Here's what you need to know to pick the right drawing pencil!
The Basics
First, let’s get to the basics: The softer a pencil is, the smoother it is and the easier it will smudge. The opposite is true for hard pencils. Softer pencils tend to be darker, while harder pencils are lighter. (Careful, though, while sometimes you might want a lighter pencil, the harder pencils are easy to grind into the paper.)
Choosing The Right Pencil
This is where you cater your pencil to your preferences! Let’s look at the graphite scale on the left for reference. B is for softer pencils, and H is for harder pencils. The number next to each represents the hardness or softness. For example, 9B is the darkest and softest, while 9H is the lightest and hardest.
You might recognize HB, your standard #2 pencil! They are the most common pencils outside of drawing! For most, they’re a practical starting point.
Try out a HB and see what you like and dislike about it. Too dark? Try a harder pencil. Doesn’t smudge easily? Try a softer pencil.
Personal Recommendations
Here are some personal recommendations, though take them with a grain of salt. Don’t be scared to try a few other pencils to see what you like best!
A - Brand Recommendations
Prismacolor Turquoise
These pencils, unlike many others, are made of basswood, which has made them feel much smoother. (Plus, I like the color.)
They can be purchased in a pack of twelve and as singles.
B - Graphite Scale Recommendations
2H
2H is my favorite, as I typically don’t leave a sketch as just a sketch. I erase the pencil as I go over it with a pen and then eventually markers.
2H is the perfect blend of light and soft for my personal tastes. Anything higher in hardness I found was being carved into the paper, and anything softer sometimes left smudges that I had trouble erasing.
Buying Your Pencil
Where do you test and buy these? That all depends on your location, but most art stores have a large selection of pencils to choose from as well as drawing paper to test. Just try some out and see what’s best for you!
Happy drawing!
Additional Resources
3 Ways to Choose a Pencil - wikiHow
How to Choose a Drawing Pencil | BLICK Art Materials
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