I don't recommend Derwent for anyone who wishes to take up serious drawing. Although good they are extremely difficult to find as open stock, so need to be replaced as part of sets. The letter and number system is not a standard, so one company's 6B will not be another company's 6B, it may be darker or lighter. The Faber Castell Matt, might be the best option at this time, as they blend very nicely and don't give a reflective shine. They also go to a very dark 14B. while dark tones can be achieved with lesser graded pencils, they may use more layers on the paper to obtain the same depth of shade. The layers give reason for the different grades. Faber Castell are also easily available as open stock. They also sharpen very nicely, hold a good point and don't appear to break as easily as some other brands. Alongside Faber Castell, Caran d Ache work nicely together. In the initial starting out, the drawings are unlikely to be kept so any cheap brand pencil might do to learn the foundations.
It's interesting that you are the second person recommending the Pitt Graphite Matt pencils from Faber-Castell here in the comments. I have actually bought them since I made this video. Hopefully I will be testing them soon and will share my experience in another episode! ☺
Thank you! ❤ The Pitt series looks very interesting. I have never seen such SUPER SOFT pencils. I will definitely add them on my experimentation list! 😊
You should try hand sharpening softer grade pencils ie 5B 6B + with a blade instead of a pencil sharpener... since I've done this I hardly ever find that the lead has broken etc, the twisting motion of the pencil sharpener breaks the lead I think... And I do this even with harder grades like 4H etc but the I make my lead stick out quite a bit then use those tiny sharpeners you get with a compass for the lead part to sharpen it, or I'll even sharpen the tip like one would clean a blending stump on fine sanding paper
That is a good advice! ☺Using a cutter or a blade will eliminate the breakage issue in most of the cases. So I do this especially when I use some of my expensive coloured pencils. Plus pencils last longer as sharpeners tend to take bigger chunks of the pencils while sharpening them! A lot of pros use this method but practically speaking I think majority of people who want to draw will prefer using sharpeners because it’s just easier.
@@greekveteran2715 I must admit I have never heard of these sharpeners before. 🙃 So, I am very curious to test these and refer back, especially if these are the game changers! 😉
@@teachingofart These are the best sharpeners ever made. That's a fact not just my opinion. Even though its what all artists use,the KUM automatic longpoint is also very known,to stationary geeks,who use pencils. That one, has a 2 step process for comon pencols and it also has 2 more holes,to sharpen 2mm and 3.2m leads,that many pencils and lead holders use. Its easier and more simple than it sounds,yet the most versatile sharpener out there! If you re an artist,check videos of the KUM Mmasterpiec. Their performance and quality,are unheard if. They come with extra razors,I still use the 1st ones!
Also, in my humble opinion, if you cant see the difference and all look similar, is like saying all cars are the same. Faber Castell 9000 are the most versatile and the most durable. Staedtler mars are good for face portairature and writing. For anything else though,9000 beats the Staedtler. Sure the best choice for technical drawing of course 9000 all the way for me. PS Palomino Blackwing are not great for technical,but they rock on any other job!!
Graphite pencils have been around a while so it is not a big surprise that companies with a focus on quality make good graphite pencils. I use Staedtler Mars myself and I had one that would break before it would sharpen however it has been the exception. My guess is that it was damaged somehow. As a guess I have bought about 20 Staedtler Mars pencils and I have no problems recommending them. I received a set of Artista pencils as a gift and I do not recommend them. They are soft and prone to chipping so the marks tend to be dark and a bit inconsistent. I sometimes use them as a challenge. I refuse to throw them away even though it is tempting.... I read reviews of Mitsubishi Hi-Uni pencils saying they are the best so I bought a set. I did a blind test between them and the same grade of Steadtler pencils and could not tell the difference. They felt the same and I could not tell the difference regarding the darkness of their lines. I agree with your recommendation about going to an art store to get your supplies. Just find a good quality brand where you can buy the pencils individually. If you do buy a set you will almost certainly find that the soft pencils wear down a lot faster than the harder ones so it is worthwhile to find a shop that lets you buy individual pencils.
Hi, you didn't mention on your finished videos the best brand without or without too much reflections or glare at different light angle which makes the drawing almost invisible at many angles or perspective. Do you have recommendation at this point of time? Thank you very much.
I don't recommend Derwent for anyone who wishes to take up serious drawing. Although good they are extremely difficult to find as open stock, so need to be replaced as part of sets. The letter and number system is not a standard, so one company's 6B will not be another company's 6B, it may be darker or lighter. The Faber Castell Matt, might be the best option at this time, as they blend very nicely and don't give a reflective shine. They also go to a very dark 14B. while dark tones can be achieved with lesser graded pencils, they may use more layers on the paper to obtain the same depth of shade. The layers give reason for the different grades. Faber Castell are also easily available as open stock. They also sharpen very nicely, hold a good point and don't appear to break as easily as some other brands. Alongside Faber Castell, Caran d Ache work nicely together. In the initial starting out, the drawings are unlikely to be kept so any cheap brand pencil might do to learn the foundations.
It's interesting that you are the second person recommending the Pitt Graphite Matt pencils from Faber-Castell here in the comments. I have actually bought them since I made this video. Hopefully I will be testing them soon and will share my experience in another episode! ☺
Great video. I’ve been using the Faber-Castell Pitt Graphite Matt for a few months now. Love them! I wish they had been on your list.
Thank you! ❤ The Pitt series looks very interesting. I have never seen such SUPER SOFT pencils. I will definitely add them on my experimentation list! 😊
You should try hand sharpening softer grade pencils ie 5B 6B + with a blade instead of a pencil sharpener... since I've done this I hardly ever find that the lead has broken etc, the twisting motion of the pencil sharpener breaks the lead I think... And I do this even with harder grades like 4H etc but the I make my lead stick out quite a bit then use those tiny sharpeners you get with a compass for the lead part to sharpen it, or I'll even sharpen the tip like one would clean a blending stump on fine sanding paper
That is a good advice! ☺Using a cutter or a blade will eliminate the breakage issue in most of the cases. So I do this especially when I use some of my expensive coloured pencils. Plus pencils last longer as sharpeners tend to take bigger chunks of the pencils while sharpening them! A lot of pros use this method but practically speaking I think majority of people who want to draw will prefer using sharpeners because it’s just easier.
Use proper sharpeners like KUM Masterpiece,KUM longpoint etc,and you will never break a soft pencil ever again.
@@greekveteran2715 I must admit I have never heard of these sharpeners before. 🙃 So, I am very curious to test these and refer back, especially if these are the game changers! 😉
@@teachingofart These are the best sharpeners ever made. That's a fact not just my opinion. Even though its what all artists use,the KUM automatic longpoint is also very known,to stationary geeks,who use pencils. That one, has a 2 step process for comon pencols and it also has 2 more holes,to sharpen 2mm and 3.2m leads,that many pencils and lead holders use. Its easier and more simple than it sounds,yet the most versatile sharpener out there! If you re an artist,check videos of the KUM Mmasterpiec. Their performance and quality,are unheard if. They come with extra razors,I still use the 1st ones!
Also, in my humble opinion, if you cant see the difference and all look similar, is like saying all cars are the same. Faber Castell 9000 are the most versatile and the most durable. Staedtler mars are good for face portairature and writing. For anything else though,9000 beats the Staedtler. Sure the best choice for technical drawing of course 9000 all the way for me. PS Palomino Blackwing are not great for technical,but they rock on any other job!!
Yeah, I noticed that the Derwent were darker… They’re also a little bit gritty.
Graphite pencils have been around a while so it is not a big surprise that companies with a focus on quality make good graphite pencils. I use Staedtler Mars myself and I had one that would break before it would sharpen however it has been the exception. My guess is that it was damaged somehow. As a guess I have bought about 20 Staedtler Mars pencils and I have no problems recommending them.
I received a set of Artista pencils as a gift and I do not recommend them. They are soft and prone to chipping so the marks tend to be dark and a bit inconsistent. I sometimes use them as a challenge. I refuse to throw them away even though it is tempting....
I read reviews of Mitsubishi Hi-Uni pencils saying they are the best so I bought a set. I did a blind test between them and the same grade of Steadtler pencils and could not tell the difference. They felt the same and I could not tell the difference regarding the darkness of their lines.
I agree with your recommendation about going to an art store to get your supplies. Just find a good quality brand where you can buy the pencils individually. If you do buy a set you will almost certainly find that the soft pencils wear down a lot faster than the harder ones so it is worthwhile to find a shop that lets you buy individual pencils.
Thanks for creating this video!
Thank you
You're welcome ☺
Hi, you didn't mention on your finished videos the best brand without or without too much reflections or glare at different light angle which makes the drawing almost invisible at many angles or perspective.
Do you have recommendation at this point of time? Thank you very much.
Instead of the poor quality Derwents,in their place,I'd put the Mitsubishi or Blackwing.