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Pencils and Art

If you are new to drawing you might not realize that the pencil you use can have a significant effect on how you draw and how it looks. Of course you already know that there are colored pencils but did you know there is a whole grading system for regular pencils? This system is called the HB Graphite Scale. And the H and B stand for Hardness and Blackness. So pencils are graded by how hard the graphite is and by how black it is.

The drawing above shows you the set of pencils I use. it's a nice set of 6 pencils that give me a good range. The total HB Scale looks like this:

Hardest                                      Medium                                      Softest

9H-8H-7H-6H-5H-4H-3H-2H-F-HB-B-2B-3B-4B-5B-6B-7B-8B-9B

I recommend that if you really want to get the most out of your pencil drawing you pick up a set of pencils with a range of Hardness and Blackness and start experimenting with them. You will be amazed at how much it improves your drawings.

 

Derwent Sketching 4 piece Pencil Set

Derwent Graphic is a top quality pencil designed for professional use. It is made from the highest quality Cumberland graphite and the purest clays to produce a smooth texture. Derwent Graphic Pencils are ideal for detailed illustration and figure work. The range is made up of graphite pencils in 20 degrees from a fine smooth 9H to a soft, smudgy 9B, including an F degree. Graphic Pencils 9H to 3B have 2.2mm graphite strips, and pencils from 4B to 9B have thicker 3.5mm graphite strips. All have elegant glossy black hexagonal barrels with a distinctive angled orange stripe to identify the type of pencil. Ideal for crisp detailed illustrations or tonal drawings, they are all pre-sharpened for immediate use and convenience. Derwent Graphic Pencils are considered non-toxic. Available in a 4pc Sketching Set (soft degrees HB, 2B, 4B and 6B), a 4pc Designer Set (medium degrees 2H, HB, B and 2B), a 12pc Sketching Set (soft degrees 9B to H), a 12pc Designer Set (medium degrees 6B to 4H), a 12pc Technical Set (hard degrees B to 9H), and a 24pc Graphic Set. More Derwent Pencils at Amazon.com

12 pencil set

Versatile Artists 12-Piece Pencil Set is Ideal For Drawing And Sketching

This graphic sketching set contains 12 pencils that cover the softer spectrum range. There are nine pencils of varying degrees of black from B to 9B, plus three degrees of hardness consisting of an HB, F and H pencil. You can achieve a significant range of different shading effects or techniques with this compact set. Cumberland Pencil Company has been making pencils under the Derwent brand name since 1832 and their experience and quality are evident here. Since the set covers the softer range of leads it is suited for making expressive sketches and portraiture yet the pencils do not easily break when sharpened and last longer under heavy marking and drawing pressure. The pencils are nestled in a sturdy metal tin with snap lid and illustrations on the back showing the intensity effects of the various leads. They make a great set for personal use or as a gift for someone special. For hundreds more craft, art and hobby products be sure to visit our National Artcraft Storefront. We have the creative component you need. Buy at Amazon.com

 

faber castell pencilsFaber Castell Artists Graphite Pencil Bag Set Faber Castell Artst Graphite Pencil Bag Set...This is a superb set for anyone who loves to draw. It comes with 12 Castell 9000 series graphite pencils which are professional quality. (Pencils included are 8B 7B 6B 5B 4B 3B 2B B HB F H and 2H.) Also included is a white vinyl dust-free eraser and a stainless steel sharpener. To top the set off you also get an embriodered heavy duty nylon pencil bag! The bag has a zipper closure and a swivel clip. The bag is small enough to be extremely portable yet large enough for you to add more pencils. Perfect for professionals students beginners... anyone who loves to draw! It also makes a wonderful plein air set. Faber Castell Pencils at Amazon.com

complete pencil set

A Complete Graphic Pencil Set That Is Perfect For Any Type Of Drawing Work

This 24-piece pencil set covers the complete range of twenty blackness and hardness degrees used in sketching, drawing and graphics. The pencils range from a very soft 9B to a very crisp 9H, with extra pencils provided for the most popular ones in the range. Cumberland Pencil Company, a respected U.K. pencil manufacturer since 1832 makes these fine Derwent brand pencils and the quality is evident in the set. Useful for everything from industrial design work to soft figure drawing, the pencils are designed to take a point without breaking and to last longer under heavy marking and drawing pressure. This set is suitable for a budding artist or a professional and it makes an impressive gift. The 24 pre-sharpened pencils are nestled in a sturdy metal tin with snap-on lid and illustrations on the back showing the intensity effects of the various leads. For hundreds more craft, art and hobby products be sure to visit our National Artcraft Storefront. We have the creative component you need. Buy at Amazon.com

Colored Pencils

I probably don't have to explain the concept of colored pencils but if you are serious about drawing with pencil I recommend you get yourself a nice set from a reputable company.

 

Coloursoft Pencils by Derwent- Intro Set of Six Colors

 

 

 

 

Coloursoft Pencils by Derwent- Set of 12 Colors in a Metal Tin

 

 

 

Colorsoft Pencils by Derwent- Set of 72 Colors in a Metal Tin

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fantasy Art School HOME PAGE

Fantasy Art Lessons

  1. lesson 1 - Holding the pencil and getting a feel for it and warming up with lines
  2. lesson1c how to draw a straight line
  3. lesson 2 - Drawing some simple geometric shapes
  4. lesson 3 - Understanding and using Perspective
  5. lesson 4- foreshortening in perspective
  6. lesson 5- Drawing depth and distance
  7. lesson 6-Using lines of varying thickness
  8. lesson 7- drawing form and shape with a medieval mace
  9. lesson 8- Drawing metal - We draw a medieval helmet
  10. lesson 9- drawing our first human form
  11. lesson 10- Distorting the human form to create fantasy creatures
  12. lesson 11 - doodling and creativity break
  13. lesson 12 - a Morning star mace - drawing textures
  14. lesson 13 - how to draw chainmail
  15. lesson 14 - How to convey action in your fantasy drawings
  16. lesson 15 - How to draw sword shapes
  17. lesson16 -draw an armored knight
  18. lesson 17 - Draw a fantasy dagger using the Five-S method
  19. lesson 18 - Creating space in your drawings - A Dragons Lair
  20. lesson 19 - Practice by drawing dragons
  21. Lesson 20 - Drawing from Memory
  22. Lesson 21 -Draw a Catapult
  23. Lesson 22: A Guest artist discusses pencils, his technique and building a library of images

Fantasy Art Lessons from Guest Artists

  1. How to draw a magical genie using Corel and Photoshop

 

Art Books & Supplies

  1. Art Kits
  2. Art Books
  3. Fantasy Art Books

 

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ArtWork Submitted by web visitors and web students - Submit your artwork and have it displayed here in the Fantasy Art School!

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