If you’re starting your journey in graphite pencil drawing, understanding the basics is essential. You might already know their functions, but a quick refresher will be helpful for us as we move forward in this drawing series. In this guide, we’ll cover the different types of pencils, their shades, and how to hold them for various effects. You’ll know your pencils like the lines of your palm.
Pencil Categories:
Pencil leads fall into two main categories:
- Soft Leads (B Series)
- Hard Leads (H Series)
Soft Lead pencil (B Series):
Soft lead pencils have a higher graphite-to-clay ratio, meaning more graphite and less clay. This makes them softer and darker.
Characteristics:
- Have a soft lead.
- Produce darker, bolder, and more expressive strokes.
- The lead gets softer as the number increases (e.g., 2B, 4B, 8B)
Pros of using soft pencil:
- ✔ Soft pencils are Ideal for shading, blending, and creating darker tones.
- ✔ They can produce a wide range of values on a grayscale.
- ✔ Great for dramatic effects.
- ✔ Work better on textured paper.
- ✔ Useful for scumbling and smooth shading.
Cons of using soft pencil:
- ✖ They do not stay sharp for long.
- ✖ These pencils leave grainy marks on the paper.
- ✖ Can smudge easily, creating a mess.
- ✖ Higher pressure can break the lead easily.
Common Soft Leads:
2B to 10B and higher. This is the grayscale value chart from which to compare.
I’ve tried creating the grayscale values of three soft leads.
You can compare how much values a single soft pencil can achieve on a grayscale. Here is an example of combining all these values into a single drawing.
Hard Lead pencil (H Series):
Hard lead pencils have a higher clay-to-graphite ratio, making them firmer and lighter in tone.
Characteristics:
- Provide lighter and finer lines.
- The lead gets harder as the number increases (e.g., 2H, 4H, 8H).
- The harder the lead, the lighter the mark it leaves.
Pros of using a hard pencil:
- ✔ Stay sharp longer.
- ✔ Excellent for technical drawings.
- ✔ Great for minor details in portraits or complex drawings.
- ✔ Work better on smooth paper.
- ✔ Ideal for linear hatching and cross-hatching.
- ✔ Do not leave grains on the paper.
Cons of using hard pencil:
- ✖ Cannot produce darker values or a wide range of shades.
- ✖ Can tear paper if used with excessive pressure.
- ✖ Not suitable for blending.
Common Hard Leads:
These pencils range from 2H to 10H. This is the grayscale value chart from which to compare.
I’ve tried creating the grayscale values of three hard leads.
Here is an example of combining all these values into a single drawing.
Pencils That Fall in Between: HB and F:
Some pencils sit between the grayscale spectrum of H and B series.
- HB Pencil: Balanced between hard and soft, suitable for general writing and drawing.
- F Pencil: Slightly harder than HB, great for fine details.
How to Hold Your Pencil for Different Effects:
Now that we understand pencil types and their shades, let’s focus on something equally important: **how to hold your pencil**. Your grip significantly affects the strokes, shading, and overall look of your drawing.
I categorize grips into three main styles:
- Closer Grip
- Extended Grip
- Underhand Grip
Closer Grip:
- – Provides controlled motion.
- – Best for detailed work.
- – Involves wrist and fingers more than the arm.
- – Good for darker and shorter lines.
- – Naturally applies more pressure while drawing.
Extended Grip:
- – Provides looser control.
- – Allows a wider range of motion.
- – Great for gestural and expressive drawings.
- – Involves the whole arm instead of just the wrist or fingers.
- – Produces lighter, straighter strokes.
- – Ideal for linear and cross-hatching techniques.
Underhand Grip:
- – Can be held close or far from the lead.
- – Palm faces upward.
- – Used for broad shading and blending.
- – Covers a larger area with fewer strokes.
- – Not recommended for precise details.
Switching Between Grips:
You’ll naturally switch between these grips while drawing. Sticking strictly to one grip is nearly impossible, as different techniques require different hand movements. Find what feels comfortable for your wrist, fingers, and shoulder.
Final Thoughts:
Understanding pencil types, their shades, and how to hold them will set a strong foundation for your pencil drawing skills. Experiment with different grips and pencil grades to discover what works best for your style. In the next lesson, we’ll explore shading techniques to bring more depth and realism to your drawings. Stay tuned!
