Derwent Graphic is a range of high quality graphite pencils available in 20 versatile degrees from 9B to 9H. This tin of soft pencils (9B - H) is best suited to expressive sketches and portraiture, medium pencils (6B - 4H) suit design and general drawing and hard pencils (B - 9H) are ideal for detailed illustrations.
- Make a tonal swatch for each of the Graphic degrees on a strip of card for easy tonal comparison.
- For quick and effective backgrounds, use a craft knife to scrape graphite from the tip of the pencil and then rub it into the paper with a paper stump.
- Very hard graphic pencils (e.g. 9H), can be used in a similar way to an indenting tool, particularly good for adding detail to the iris of an eye.
- To even out the texture of a soft pencil (e.g. 4B), shade over with a slightly harder pencil (HB).
- To add interest to dark areas, you can add shapes into your drawing with a hard pencil (e.g. 2H), then go over lightly with a softer lead (e.g. 6B) - the harder pencil will show through.
- Use a paper stump to soften edges and smooth out shading.
- Don't throw away stubs of paper stumps as these can be used for soft, fine shading.
- To lift highlights or neaten edges use an eraser shield and battery eraser.
- Use a Derwent eraser pencil and brush to gently brush debris off your paper/drawing.
- Use small circular strokes to create texture in your shading.
