Best Drawing Pencils
A go-to tool for any artist, designer or doodler, owning one – or two, three, four or more – great pencil is crucial. It is the very first stage in the creation of any great work: the pen may be mighty but the pencil your trustworthy friend that erases any mistakes from memory. Phew.
We’ve rounded up our favourite of the many – way, way too many – pencils available. Whether you want a great shading tool or a technical line-maker, we’ll put the ideal pen at your fingertips. So, pencil in some pencil shopping, why don’t you?
Already have a great pencil? Read our features on the best pens, smart pens and styluses (for Android or iPad)
Lyra Rembrandt Art Design
These beautiful pencils are brilliant for shading, as well as more rigid drawing, both of which they perform with enchanting smoothness. Responsive and with a wide versatility between each grade, you can’t go wrong with a Rembrandt pencil. And, with its break-resistant lead, it won’t go wrong either.
Derwent Graphic
Smooth, easy to use and soft, graphic pencils are a Derwent staple. They are ideal for crisp, detailed work with an easy-to-hold hexagonal barrel – though the grade is only printed on one side, which can get annoying – and beautifully a dark line. Plus, they blend wonderfully.
Faber-Castell 9000
People love these pencils and it’s not hard to understand why: they are wonderfully consistent, which is great when you inevitably quickly run out of them and need another pack, and also refined. And the grade is printed on all three sides of the pencil (I’m looking at you, Derwent Graphic).
Cretacolor Monolith woodless
People love these pencils and it’s not hard to understand why: they are wonderfully consistent, which is great when you inevitably quickly run out of them and need another pack, and also refined. And the grade is printed on all three sides of the pencil (I’m looking at you, Derwent Graphic).
Caran D’ache Graphite Line Gift Box Set
Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Some think so. For that price, you’ve got to love these pencils and lots do. Caran d’Ache is Switzerland is the country’s only pencil manufacturer and has the exclusivity and craftsmanship to match. Each shade and grade is carefully developed and truly beautiful. Of course, they have a gorgeous finish and are made of high quality wood.
Staedtler Mars Lumograph
Proving once again that artists do not have time to waste, one of the most common reasons to praise Staedtler’s Lumograph is that it has the grade on all sides. On top of that, the lead is soft, sturdy (not many frustrating breakages here) and consistent.
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