7 Drawing Pencils For Beginners That You Need To Make Beautiful Art

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Are You Learning To Draw? Discover Our Top Drawing Pencils For Beginners

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Art covers a whole variety of different practices and disciplines, but there is one piece of equipment that ties all creatives together: a pencil. No matter what your process involves; you’re bound to need a good, reliable drawing pencil from time to time. For artists who rely on drawing for a lot of their practice, it’s important that these pencils are some of the best, but finding them amongst so many options can be tricky. That’s why we’ve explored all the best drawing pencils for beginners on the market, so you can make the right decision.

 

3 types of drawing pencils

 

 

• Pencil scale diagram from The Virtual Instructor.

 

The range of pencils on offer is vast, perhaps more than you would first think. From graphite pencils to coloured pencils; there’s a lot to choose from. So how do you choose a pencil for drawing? When starting to search, begin by asking yourself what type of drawing you do and compare the uses of each pencil category. Below shows the standard range of graphite pencils used for sketching and drawing.

 

Hard Pencils

This category refers to the harder lead pencils, meaning they stay sharp for longer. Their composition is made up of more clay, resulting in a lighter mark than graphite dominant pencils. Due to their hardness, they often leave indentations into the paper when used with pressure. This isn’t ideal for shading and so H labelled pencils aren’t usually a go to option for sketching and artistic drawings. Instead, they’re commonly used for architectural or engineering drawings, a type of project that requires detail and limits the risk of smudging. 

 

Black Pencils

For the softer pencils, you want to opt for the ones labelled with a B. Their softness is a result of a largely graphite composition, allowing more of a mark to be left with less pressure. This stronger, darker ‘black’ mark is where the B label comes from, increasing with each number. They need to be sharpened regularly especially with a lot of use, but are definitely the best option for sketching and shading projects alike. Make sure you protect these pencil drawings, as the softer graphite makes them susceptible to smudging.

 

Fine Pencils

Right in the middle of the scale sits the F pencil, rarely found in pencil sets as they’re relatively hard. However, they’re not as hard as pencils on the H side of the scale, with a fair amount of binders in their compositions. When describing these pencils, they are sometimes said to be a slightly harder version of the more common and known HB pencils.

 

HB Pencil

Around the same point on the scale is the HB pencil, probably one of the most commonly used pencil of them all. Found in schools, offices and artist’s toolkits, this pencil is a must have for both beginners and professionals. It has a multitude of purposes including sketching, writing, drawing and more. The HB pencil can be used for almost anything.

 

 

What kind of pencils should beginners use?

When it comes to drawing and sketching, beginners will learn skills a lot faster with good quality equipment. So although you don’t want to go over budget on some professional pencils, it’s worth investing a bit of money into a decent set. Good drawing pencils for beginners typically have a range of types within the B range. This is because the pencils are easy to work with, leaving a strong mark that can be erased if necessary. Whilst you develop your drawing skills, it’s likely you’ll make mistakes along the way. Being able to rub out your pencil is very handy as a beginner, so make sure to consider that when buying.

 

Drawing pencils for beginners

 

Derwent Graphic Medium Graphite Drawing Pencils

 

 

One brand you’re likely to hear time and time again when it comes to pencils is Derwent, so it’s no surprise they’ve made it onto a list for beginners. Their set of 12 graphite pencils is definitely a good option for beginners, with a good variety ranging from 6B to 4H. This allows you to experience both types of pencils, finding which you prefer for your practice. There’s no need for a pencil case either, as this set already comes in its own sleek tin for practical and tidy storage. All round, this Derwent set is a great introduction to pencils and drawing as a whole.

Best for: Intermediate artist

✔ Good range and variety of pencils.

✔ Smooth application.

✔ Easy to hold and sharpen.

✖ Harder pencils may be on the soft side compared to other brands. 

✖ Prone to breakages.

 

Faber-Castell 9000 Art Set 12 Pencils

 

 

Another recognisable brand in the art equipment sphere is Faber-Castell, one of the oldest industrial companies in the world. With their established reputation comes great quality products and these graphite pencils are no different. What makes these accessible to beginners is their price point, which is only slightly above other options on this list. Their range falls more on the softer end of the scale, making them ideal for shading and sketch work. The pencils can achieve dark, rich marks allowing artists to really experiment with high contrast work. Overall, if you’re a beginner looking for a good quality set of pencils, this one may be for you.

Best for: Shading and sketching

✔ Includes softer B options.

✔ Can achieve deep, dark marks.

✔ Comes in a protective and handy tin case.

✖ Slightly pricer option compared to others.

✖ Less H pencil options.

 

 

Derwent Academy Graphite Sketching Pencils Set Of 6

 

 

Large sets of drawing pencils for beginners can sometimes be intimidating, in which case this other Derwent example may be of interest. The set of 6 graphite sketching pencils still covers a mixture of both hard and soft types, allowing a beginner to explore their options. Labelled as the ‘essentials’ these drawing pencils should equip a student or beginner with all the basics. However, if you’re already experienced with drawing, you might want to skip this product and go straight to the larger, high quality sets. It’s said these leads can break quite easily, so for more advanced and regular use, they may not be up to scratch

Best for: Student beginners 

✔ Very affordable.

✔ Covers the essential pencils.

✔ Easy to take on the move.

✖ Less pencils and variety.

✖ Leads can reportedly break.

 

Arteza Professional Drawing Sketch Pencils Set Of 12

 

 

Similarly to the Derwent tin of 12, this Arteza graphite pencil set also spans from 6B to 4H, again covering both soft and hard. Something to note with these in particular is their non-toxic and eco-friendly components, using sustainably sourced wood. It’s also worth mentioning the pencils’ high graphite density which results in stronger, durable leads. As a lesser reputable art brand, reviews on their quality can sometimes be mixed. So although they’re a high performer and on this list, the decision is ultimately your call. 

Best for: Any beginner

✔ Good range and variety of pencils.

✔ High density of graphite giving strong leads.

✔ Environmentally friendly.

✖ Slightly pricer than other options.

✖ Mixed quality reviews compared to other brands.

 

 

Staedtler Mars Lumograph Drawing Pencils Tin Of 12

 

 

A definite favourite amongst artists are these Staedtler Mars Lumograph Pencils. With a silky smooth application and dark shades, these can be drawing pencils for beginners and professionals alike. Bonded leads act to prevent breakages and easy sharpening, which is disputed by some reviews. It may be worth investing in a quality sharpener and other equipment to go alongside these artist pencils. Other than that, they’re a decent choice when it comes to the drawing pencil market. 

Best for: Any beginner

✔ Bonded leads to prevent breakages.

✔ Good range and variety of pencils.

✔ Tin case for protection.

✖ Reportedly difficult to sharpen with normal sharpener. 

✖ Can be difficult to blend.

 

Norberg & Linden Free Hand Drawing And Sketch Set

 

 

This ultimate beginner package from Norberg & Linden contains everything you need. With pencils, erasers, sharpeners, sketch pad and charcoal, you can start your drawing journey the minute you open the set. It’s a great choice when testing out different utensils, allowing the artist to test a variety of pencils. It’s also super affordable, especially considering just how much you’re getting for your money. So if you want to tip your toe into the world of drawing without breaking the bank, this all-round set could be for you.

Best for: Beginners on a budget

✔ Great value for money.

✔ Includes pencils plus other drawing equipment.

✔ Can start drawing straight away.

✖ Quality may suffer due to price.

✖ May not need everything included.

 

 

Castle Art 40 Piece Sketching And Drawing Set 

 

 

On the other side of the scale, we have this somewhat pricier drawing set from Castle Art. There are more pencils and tools included in this product; even a 20 page book filled with tips to help any beginner artist. Essentially this package looks to provide the beginner and seasoned drawer with everything they could possibly need. In terms of pencils however, you may be best collecting them separately as and when you need. It’s possible this set contains more than your average beginner requires; then again, it’s always good to have options?

Best for: Variety of supplies

✔ Wide selection of pencils and tools.

✔ Study and supportive case. 

✔ Instruction and tip book as a bonus.

✖ Quality can vary across different tools.

✖ On the expensive side.

 

Summary of drawing pencils for beginners

Given our list of the best drawing pencils for artists and beginners, you can see that there’s a lot of choice. By breaking down each product and its stand out factors, you should be able to find a pencil set that’s best suited to your practice, budget and ability. Don’t be alarmed if one set doesn’t work for you straight away. Some artists take years to discover their favourite tools. The best advice is to keep drawing and exploring; soon enough you’ll be confident in your pencil choice and skills.

 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST DRAWING PENCILS THAT YOU’VE USED? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.

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NEED MORE ADVICE?

ARTICLES TO HELP:

The 7 Best Coloured Pencils That Every Artist Needs In Their Collection

How To Use Reference Photos For Drawing (Best Tips For Artists)

Art Studio At Home: 5 Tips To Make The Best Creative Space

SITES TO HELP:

Derwent

Faber-Castell

COURSES TO HELP:

Pencil Drawing – The Fundamental Guide

Ultimate Beginner To Advanced Pencil Drawing And Shading

Intro To Graphite Pencil Drawing