Best Pencil Brands for Artists

Faber-Castell Polychromos and Caran d'Ache Luminance are top choices for colored pencils.
Rotring and Pentel GraphGear are recommended for mechanical pencils.

Colored Pencils

Faber-Castell Polychromos are highly praised by artists for their excellent build quality, vibrant color palette, and smooth blending capabilities. They are oil-based, which allows them to blend effortlessly and hold a sharp point without breaking [2:1][4:6]. Artists appreciate the cedarwood barrels that give these pencils a pleasant smell and consistent performance [2:2][4:3].

Caran d'Ache Luminance is another favorite among professional artists, known for its high lightfastness and rich pigmentation [4:1]. Although they are more expensive, many artists find them worth the investment for professional work [2:6].

Mechanical Pencils

For those who prefer mechanical pencils, Rotring is a popular brand, especially the Rotring 800 and Rotring 600 models. These pencils are known for their solid metal bodies and durability, making them a worthwhile investment despite their higher price [3:1][3:2].

Pentel GraphGear 1000 is another well-regarded option, offering a solid feel and comfortable grip. It's considered a great budget alternative to Rotring pencils, providing good quality at a lower price [3:7][3:12].

Specialty Pencils

Tombow and Mitsubishi Color Sharps are mentioned as unique options for those interested in specialty pencils. These brands offer interesting designs and mechanisms, such as twist or knock types, which can be appealing for collectors or those looking for something different [5:1][5:4].

Overall, the choice of pencil brand depends on the artist's specific needs, whether it be for colored artwork, precision drawing, or simply personal preference.

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Products

Faber Castell Polychromos Color Pencils Finest Artists Quality,Metal tin Set of 72

Faber-Castell

$160.80

4.7(51)

CREATIVE ART MATERIALS Caran D'ache Luminance Colored Pencil Set of 20 (6901.720)

Caran d'Ache

$96.03

4.7(927)

Pentel Graph Gear 1000 Mechanical Pencil, 0.5mm (PG1015)

Pentel

$8.00~~$23.50~~

4.8(9043)

rOtring 800+ Mechanical Pencil and Touchscreen Stylus, 0.5 mm, Black

Rotring

$28.41~~$45.04~~

4.5(1364)

Source Threads

POST SUMMARY • [1]

Summarize

What are you’re favorite most reliable pen or pencil brands?

Posted by EasternTable · in r/AskReddit · 5 years ago

1149 upvotes on reddit

12 replies

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[deleted] · 5 years ago

For regular writing pencils, I've always liked Dixon Triconderoga. They just feel more durable than other brands.

But honestly i haven't used a pencil since high school so what do I know

403 upvotes on reddit

trollmanjoe · 5 years ago

Love these pencils so much. this is relevant.

44 upvotes on reddit

BobosBigSister · 5 years ago

As someone who is stuck in high school forever, I ordered a gross of Dixon Ticonderoga in my budget request for next year. You definitely know what you're talking about.

58 upvotes on reddit

petitenigma · 5 years ago

Ticonderoga are definitely good pencils.!!

18 upvotes on reddit

imaqdodger · 5 years ago

The best part of the Ticonderoga for me was the eraser! It was soft and didn't smudge like a lot of hard erasers on other pencils do.

18 upvotes on reddit

ayechihuahuas · 5 years ago

Fun (?) fact: Alex Trebeck is a hardcore fan of the Dixon Ticonderoga. He always has one in his hand. He's even endorsed them a few times and they've been involved in a question or two.

111 upvotes on reddit

Admiral_Taiga · 5 years ago

Also, their erasers don't smear.

7 upvotes on reddit

Wrong_Answer_Willie · 5 years ago

I collect ink pens. I have over 10,000 of them

My favorite now is the Pilot Precise V7 Rolling Ball pen that u/pirateenvy sent me as part of my Secret Santa gift.

My collection, in storage from the move.

607 upvotes on reddit

uniquecannon · 5 years ago

Pilot's V7 and G2 are just awesome pens.

237 upvotes on reddit

SpaceMom-LawnToLawn · 5 years ago

G2 ooooh yea. I paint mine so no one at work will accidentally pick them up because having to use a different pen will throw me off of my game and fuck up my whole day.

28 upvotes on reddit

Frankfusion · 5 years ago

Pilot happens to make fountain pens and they're pretty cool too. I own to Pilot Metropolitan. Heck they make a disposable fountain pen too!

2 upvotes on reddit

dlordjr · 5 years ago

Follow-up question: What's your #2 pencil?

260 upvotes on reddit

See 12 replies

r/ColoredPencils • [2]

Summarize

Don’t see enough love for these bois

Posted by benjithomasartist · in r/ColoredPencils · 6 months ago

But Polychromos are my second in command after luminance - and a reeaalll good option if I’m too flat broke to afford luminance or need finer more detailed lines (both of which are currently true)

Polychromos gang ❤️

i.redd.it

415 upvotes on reddit

12 replies

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LibelleFairy · 6 months ago

Polychromos are my all time favourite pencils. They smell delicious and they are gorgeous.

46 upvotes on reddit

DianaSironi · 6 months ago

All pencils smell delicious. I love Polychromos too.

9 upvotes on reddit

LibelleFairy · 6 months ago

I disagree - some of the cheap pencils can smell horrible, like a plasticky chemical smell (e.g. my Brutfuner squares smell a bit like that, even though I got them secondhand so the smell isn't very strong)

and I have an old set of Prismacolors that I bought secondhand off someone who I suspect kept them in a place that got really warm in the summer, and they smell like old, slightly rancid candles ...

but the Polychromos just smell of the lovely cedarwood their barrels are made from, and opening that tin when they are new is delicious (they also smell amazing every time you sharpen them... which isn't that often given how well they hold their points, but occasionally you get to do it as a treat)

I bloody love my Polychromos

13 upvotes on reddit

PossiblyMarsupial · 6 months ago

....I might have the full 120 set in the fancy wooden carry case...

My skill doesn't warrant it. I don't need them. But they bring me so so so so so much joy. Polychromos are the pencils for me.

12 upvotes on reddit

Bubbly_Table_5117 · 6 months ago

1000000% Honestly this is the best set for the money in my opinion. Also love their gold fabers , they are nice and waxy for the blending. Prismacolour takes the silver

11 upvotes on reddit

benjithomasartist · OP · 6 months ago

Not heard of gold fabers!

1 upvotes on reddit

Bubbly_Table_5117 · 6 months ago

They’re the cheaper ones from FC. 🤓

2 upvotes on reddit

AnnaGrunduls_Design · 6 months ago

They are incredible! I'm eyeballing their biggest set now 😍

14 upvotes on reddit

benjithomasartist · OP · 6 months ago

Big spender! I salute you 🫡 they really are brilliant

7 upvotes on reddit

AnnaGrunduls_Design · 6 months ago

At least as a professional artist, I get to write them off as a business expense 😀 But in all seriousness, they are well worth saving for ❤️

11 upvotes on reddit

LibelleFairy · 6 months ago

100% worth it if you can afford them - they aren't cheap, but they are good value for the money

7 upvotes on reddit

Creat-ative3 · 6 months ago

Yeah, these are $70 CAD, so I'm with you on that. There are only 24 colours too 😭

1 upvotes on reddit

See 12 replies

r/EngineeringStudents • [3]

Summarize

What is the best mechanical pencil for writing?

Posted by elizabethhayley · in r/EngineeringStudents · 4 years ago

What is a popular mechanical pencil that may be a nice gift for an engineering student? Which particular brands are well known or special? Thank you!

258 upvotes on reddit

12 replies

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OMGIMASIAN · 4 years ago

This right here! I have 2 600's and a 800. Completely worth.

I also have kura-togas (standard, roulette, and advance), Graphgear 500 and 1000s. The kuratogas are cool due to the lead rotation but they don't have the weight and feeling of the Rotrings. The graphgear 1000's are a great budget pick since they're half the price of a rotring and mostly metal (the grip has some rubber nubs I'm not a fan of). But at the end of the day the rotring takes the cake with a solid metal body (the 800 also has all metal internals) and is the heaviest of all pencils I've tried.

Notable mentions are the Orenz Pencils which go down to .2 size lead. I love this thing for writing Kanji and tiny notes. The delguard from Zebra is also interesting since it makes it so it's very hard to snap lead and lots of pressure ends up just crushing the lead instead.

If we're talking pens. The Uni Jetstream is my goto for ball point. Super smooth, comes in very fine sizes, and looks very sleek (personally I think it edges out the G2 in all factors). However I used fountain pens for some of my engineering notes. The TWSBI ECO holds tons of ink and doesn't break the bank. However the Pilot Vanishing Point FPs are amazing.

Paper also matters! I personally really enjoy using the Kokuyo campus Lined dot paper (has lines but also a dot grid combo) since it's super smooth and works well with fountain pens. But really any non like super cheapo paper holds up much better long term especially when you are flipping back and forth for notes.

53 upvotes on reddit

stuartdanker · 4 years ago

I’m actually looking for primarily writing pencils. Any recommendations?

2 upvotes on reddit

Honor_Sprenn · 4 years ago

I love “fancy” stationery! I would recommend the Pentel GraphGear 1000.

It feels really solid and the grip is nice!

76 upvotes on reddit

jimmystar889 · 4 years ago

I like this one as well.

My favorite are these and the pentel orenz.2mm

3 upvotes on reddit

nuke35 · 4 years ago

The retractable tip is great too. That's something you don't get on the more expensive rotring 600 (which also leads to a lot of broken/bent tips).

1 upvotes on reddit

take-stuff-literally · 4 years ago

I have two of them. Fantastic pencils especially for those that are left handed as the pushing motion usually wears out the sharpness much faster than regular.

Personally I’m more of a pen user (G2 0.38 Ultra fine). It’s the dark ink that makes this pen worth it.

2 upvotes on reddit

mander1518 · 4 years ago

I like kuru toga. It rotates the lead every time you pick it up.

I also like Pentel GraphGear 0.3 mm lead. Takes some getting used to because the lead is so thin.

Invest in a good quality eraser.

I also found Pilot G2 0.38 pens.

45 upvotes on reddit

Dayshawn11 · 4 years ago

Give the uniball signo dx 0.38 pens a try. I like a bit of a thinner grip compared to the G2’s and the uniball is just perfection. I’ve stopped looking for new pens since finding them, and I think they’re not available for sale in US retail stores so slight fancy factor lol

4 upvotes on reddit

golfzerodelta · 4 years ago

Totally with you there - had a few stop feeding and although Pentel would replace them, it shouldn’t have happened in the first place

3 upvotes on reddit

squished_potatoes · 4 years ago

Kurutoga with alpha gel

It has a nice squishy / easy to hold barrel, and the lead sharpens as you write so it looks almost like pen.

45 upvotes on reddit

golfzerodelta · 4 years ago

Pentel GraphGear 1000 is an amazing mechanical pencil.

79 upvotes on reddit

Blackout015 · 4 years ago

I second Rotring. I've had a Rotring 800 for the past 8 years. Expensive, but easily the best pencil I've ever used.

22 upvotes on reddit

See 12 replies

r/ColoredPencils • [4]

Summarize

Polychromos appreciation post 🙌🏼

Posted by costoaway1 · in r/ColoredPencils · 4 months ago

Let's talk about the Polychromos?

My favorite, all-around general colored pencil. They layer almost endlessly, their color palette is completely balanced and not lacking in almost any values, they have fantastic build quality, they blend effortlessly once layered to enough pigment, hold a sharp point, almost NEVER break while sharpening, and they're relatively affordable for how great they are. I just love them.

And the smell! Is there anything better than opening your tin or case and experiencing that fresh cedar smell?

What is your favorite pencil brand, if not the FC Polychromos?

What's your favorite Polychromos color or combination?

i.redd.it

174 upvotes on reddit

10 replies

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puZZled59 · 4 months ago

I love my Polychromos so much. It changed the game for how much I enjoy colouring with pencil, I can’t stop now haha

8 upvotes on reddit

mjdolorico1234 · 4 months ago

Polychromos kinda ruined other pencils for me. It made me fall in love with layering as a technique. Now I can't not layer my other pencils, even my Prismas. My only gripe is I wish they have more colors, or at the very least get rid of the stupid metallic colors for some more useful shades.

12 upvotes on reddit

costoaway1 · OP · 4 months ago

Another way they ruined other brands for me is the outstanding build quality. You just pick one up and always know what you’re going to get, the consistency is great. You never have to worry about leads breaking, falling out, they just sharpen perfectly every time.

9 upvotes on reddit

Gothiccheese95 · 4 months ago

This. The build quality of Prismacolors is shocking in comparison.

5 upvotes on reddit

costoaway1 · OP · 4 months ago

Yes! I think their palette is probably the most rounded of any set considering it is 120, but I’d drop the 3 metallics for another light blue, light pink and a light purple. Pretty much the only values I think that might be lacking.

4 upvotes on reddit

mjdolorico1234 · 4 months ago

They used to have a light blue and light purple that were both discontinued. As much as I like to have a light pink, it's probably way too fugitive for FC.

3 upvotes on reddit

Noah-Lott · 4 months ago

I love them. I enjoy Prisma too, but it feels easier to make a smoother blend with these. The transition between adjacent colors in the palette seem to blend more easily for me. Not to mention they’re a little thicker and feel good in hand. I did a side by side with both brands and though the Prismas color is more saturated the Polys look super, too.

7 upvotes on reddit

costoaway1 · OP · 4 months ago

They blend fantastic with solvents/odorless mineral spirits since they lean heavily oil-based too. They just dissolve into a kind of paint, much easier than Prismacolor or Luminance/Lightfast.

4 upvotes on reddit

ConsciousVegetable99 · 4 months ago

I have to admit, I have fallen in love as well.

7 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 4 months ago

I do love polychromos. And my luminance. I only just got the Derwent lightfast so I have to get to know them.

It if I had to say which were my favourite stand alone pencil, surprisingly, I would say the Caran D’ache Pablos. They are somewhere between the polychromos and the luminance, I love how they feel and the colour gambit they have suit the subjects I draw so much.

I just wish they were more lightfast because for the most part, I can’t use them for professional work 😔

5 upvotes on reddit

See 10 replies

r/mechanicalpencils • [5]

Summarize

My “fancy” pencils

Posted by Due-Entertainment541 · in r/mechanicalpencils · 3 months ago

Left to right: Tombow SH-1000LP, Uchida type KN, Tombow SH-1500LP, Mitsubishi Color Sharps (red, orange, yellow), Uchida type E and more color sharps, Uchida type D

i.redd.it

153 upvotes on reddit

12 replies

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Due-Entertainment541 · OP · 3 months ago

This is a shot from my next video; it's on the Tombow SH-1000LP. In this part I am talking about other (older) pencils in my collection that could have influenced the design. (In all actuality, it probably didn't - but I have been looking for a reason to line all these up anyway)

3 upvotes on reddit

OnionIndependent4455 · 3 months ago

That looks absolutely beautiful!! It kinda gives me some pride vibes y’know with the rainbow. Btw,which one of those do you use more frequently than the rest??

4 upvotes on reddit

Due-Entertainment541 · OP · 3 months ago

honestly, these don't get used anymore... Poor things will live out their life in a dark drawer. Some of these go back to the 1970s

3 upvotes on reddit

foomio · 3 months ago

Gorgeous! No clip on most of them, they must be amazing for freehand drawing…

BTW how do you advance the lead on the Uchidas? Is it a twisty mechanism type thing? 😂

5 upvotes on reddit

Due-Entertainment541 · OP · 3 months ago

just saw the BTW - the Type D and E are old school twist type. The KN (second from left) is a knock type

5 upvotes on reddit

Due-Entertainment541 · OP · 3 months ago

Most have clips but they are removable

3 upvotes on reddit

IchiramenPotato · 3 months ago

Those Uchidas look so cool, wish I have one.

4 upvotes on reddit

drifand · 3 months ago

Lawn darts for intellectuals 😎

15 upvotes on reddit

drifand · 3 months ago

BTW, have you looked into the 'non-COLOR' version of the Mitsubishi sharp? I'm still looking for more info, like the model numbers but have come up empty handed so far...

6 upvotes on reddit

Due-Entertainment541 · OP · 3 months ago

I did not know they existed!

3 upvotes on reddit

Hammer_Jackson · 3 months ago

Are you talking about the silver/clear version?

3 upvotes on reddit

RectorMors · 3 months ago

Beat me to it 😁

2 upvotes on reddit

See 12 replies

r/mechanicalpencils • [6]

Summarize

Tombow makes the best pencils.

Posted by LowAd442 · in r/mechanicalpencils · 4 months ago

i.redd.it

141 upvotes on reddit

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physics_passionat · 4 months ago

I believe Uni is the best. They did, after all, invent a “self-preserving” mechanical pencil. I love their Kuru Toga Roulette. Amazing sensation, for a very affordable price, too.

12 upvotes on reddit

Various_Society8034 · 4 months ago

First time mechanical pencil owner and after a lengthy research about mechanical pencil brands, I chose Uni KuruToga Metal as my first pencil purchase. No regrets and no noticeable wobble/wiggle. I just love the thing. I find myself always trying to find reasons to use it. Lol.

2 upvotes on reddit

LowAd442 · OP · 4 months ago

I haven’t used any KuruToga because I’ve read reviews about it’s tip wobble. But I am looking to get a KT Advance to test it.

1 upvotes on reddit

Internal-Isopod-5340 · 4 months ago

I've recently acquired a KT Standard, and I don't find the tip to be annoying in the slightest.

3 upvotes on reddit

Mortimer_Blake · 4 months ago

I have 2 kurutogas, the Roulette and the Advance, and I don’t find them to be wobbly either… not sure if some models are or may turn out defective in some cases 🤷🏻‍♂️

2 upvotes on reddit

physics_passionat · 4 months ago

In my opinion, it’s not wobbly at all. I don’t know if I was just lucky or not, but it has a great feeling and, like I said, it self-adjusts itself, to have a pointy tip, for better writing. Overall, 9.3/10.

5 upvotes on reddit

Incognita03 · 4 months ago

just dont get the advanced, god awful grip and a crap ton of wobble, made me really anxious and frustrated using it.

2 upvotes on reddit

julinn2740 · 4 months ago

They're great, i prefer pentel or platinum but they're a great pick anyways

2 upvotes on reddit

regpo55555 · 4 months ago

Oh sure they do. The most underrated stationery brand out there.

5 upvotes on reddit

LowAd442 · OP · 4 months ago

The 0.3mm is the black one, MonoGraph Fine, not lite.

2 upvotes on reddit

EpicFafnir · 4 months ago

Does the Mono Graph Fine rattle alot?

3 upvotes on reddit

LowAd442 · OP · 4 months ago

It rattles only a little bit, not enough to annoy me. I actually like the rattle because it gives me more of a regular MonoGraph with metal grip like feel

2 upvotes on reddit

See 12 replies

r/mechanicalpencils • [7]

Summarize

My Collection (Artist)

Posted by Eastern_Parking_6794 · in r/mechanicalpencils · 3 months ago

I started drawing with the Kuro yoga and slowly worked my way up until I finally was settled with the pentel p200 series. Overall I think the leads were the big differences in my sketching process and as well searching for a comfortable pencil for long duration was also the reason most of my choices were in plastic.

I do have a Bunch of leads I collected as well through sales or gifts I might make a second post about them. But the ones on the board here are my favorite so far.

reddit.com

135 upvotes on reddit

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RectorMors · 3 months ago

Nice stuff! I think you're the first person that I read about here that prefers plastic over metal. And I also agree that the lead density and quality is probably the most important factor in terms of results.

2 upvotes on reddit

Eastern_Parking_6794 · OP · 3 months ago

Thank you and I agree that plastic has a benefit over metal MP when it comes to drawing from my experience. I draw on angle that I can keep holding the pen comfortably. A metal pen is useful when taking notes or you’re drawing in a lower angle or almost flat surface. The weight comes in handy to make it easier to hold but overall, plastic also helps with controlling the amount of pressure I put on the paper.

I realized with MP leads they are usually darker than their wooden counterparts and Japanese leads are marked a grade darker or softer than their European or western counterparts.

2 upvotes on reddit

KouikaInk · 3 months ago

How do you like Scrikss Icon-X? I have it but didn't used it for hours yet but it feels okay. When someone says Laconic Solid Write is expensive, I say "go buy Icon-X" as a joke lol, it's dirt cheap. It does not have rubber coating. It does not say Made in Japan, so it's most likely Made in PRC or SEA but it's not that bad.

1 upvotes on reddit

Eastern_Parking_6794 · OP · 3 months ago

I got them from a friend who went to Istanbul as he got me the 0.7 and 0.5 ones. They are good for those with medium to large hands. I prefer thin and slightly shorter pencils that fits my smaller hands. Plus a clean finish like that one means it’s prone to slipping after hours. So best to use for shorter sketches.

2 upvotes on reddit

LowAd442 · 3 months ago

Is the icon-x metal or plastic?

1 upvotes on reddit

Repulsive_Lemon_1618 · 3 months ago

Which one do you prefer, the GG500 or the GG1000?

1 upvotes on reddit

Eastern_Parking_6794 · OP · 3 months ago

Gg500

1 upvotes on reddit

JoGraph116 · 3 months ago

Excellent!!

1 upvotes on reddit

Eastern_Parking_6794 · OP · 3 months ago

Thanks man!

2 upvotes on reddit

JoGraph116 · 3 months ago

For nothing👊🏾

1 upvotes on reddit

Eastern_Parking_6794 · OP · 3 months ago

https://preview.redd.it/0ag8n19ihn5f1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e8920872096d0c1e39d3ef8bbe648ea4465e8e1e

Here is one pencil drawing I did with the pilot neox 2B lead. It’s pretty dark for shading and it makes 4B leads looks pale

9 upvotes on reddit

See 11 replies

r/pencils • [8]

Summarize

Some favourites (eye candy)

Posted by IntelligentCattle463 · in r/pencils · 4 months ago

Cracking out a few from the pencil case at work. Though some, like the Moon-Light, are not at an extremely high level of fit and finish, they have really grown on me and the wood smell (Taiwan cypress, or some wood infused with cypress essential oil) is really nice.

I used to not like the old Kitaboshi-made Ohto visually, but they took have grown on me. Especially the two-tone printed ones (which are the oldest ones I think).

Swiss Wood FSC version has a unique scent, but I can never decide whether I like it. Still, a lovely pencil and one of my favourite slippery hard leads. That I can't easily find more of them is kinda depressing.

The Uni White 2H probably would not have been among my top choices, except that over time the paint has discoloured or become more translucent and shows some woodish character underneath the high gloss. Super unique in my opinion, and a nice writer too.

...I really should bring fewer pencils to work...

i.redd.it

121 upvotes on reddit

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mettweck · 4 months ago

Beautiful! The natural uni is particularly appealing. I see some hand-sharpened pencils but which sharpener do you use for the other pencils?

6 upvotes on reddit

IntelligentCattle463 · OP · 4 months ago

Thanks! I usually use an SDI 0163x to sharpen if I am not hand sharpening, but I think the Swiss Wood was done (barely) with a Mitsubishi ES-19.

2 upvotes on reddit

mettweck · 4 months ago

Thank you for these details – these are unusual sharpeners! Where did you get the SDI from?

3 upvotes on reddit

HiddenLychee · 4 months ago

What pencil sharpener do you use for the caran d'ache? I can't get my tip to be as nice as yours edit: Should have just read the thread. Thanks!

3 upvotes on reddit

IntelligentCattle463 · OP · 4 months ago

That seems to be the one real nuisance about the CdA pencils. It's a fraction of a millimeter too large for most sharpeners. I have a crank for jumbo pencils but it doesn't produce a very long point.

2 upvotes on reddit

zodiacspeeeking · 4 months ago

Nice collection….That Caran Dache Swiss wood in my opinion one of the best pencils out there. Buttery smooth, dark and excellent point retention. A dream to draw/sketch with.

3 upvotes on reddit

HiddenLychee · 4 months ago

I love the pencil but honestly, it's no where near dark enough for me. Every other HB pencil I have is much softer and darker. Great for light grey though, and the smell and feel is amazing. Sucks that it doesn't fit in any of my normal, japanese pencil sharpeners.

3 upvotes on reddit

Martin_Orona · 4 months ago

Awesome... What pencil sharpener did you use?

3 upvotes on reddit

IntelligentCattle463 · OP · 4 months ago

Thanks. Mix of knife sharpening and an SDI crank sharpener, except for the Swiss Wood, which was with a Mitsubishi electric.

2 upvotes on reddit

Least_Tutor_755 · 4 months ago

UNI Natural and Moon-light look great!

3 upvotes on reddit

See 10 replies

r/ColoredPencils • [9]

Summarize

Skin tone practice (and pencil testing) of the past week - including some fantasy skin tones

Posted by -Valayn- · in r/ColoredPencils · 5 months ago

After starting out with a big set of Polychromos, I wanted to get some softer pencils since portraits are my favorite subject to draw.

So I started testing out a few other lines (that I can get open stock here in Germany): Caran d’Ache Luminance, Derwent Lightfast, Derwent Colorsoft, (and Derwent Drawing). The Colorsoft felt too waxy for my taste, so those were out pretty quickly. The Derwent Drawing however were, nice, even though they felt the most soft out of the bunch - but they feel more 'buttery soft' than 'waxy soft' (if that makes sense). I wish there were more than just 24 colors.

Last week, I spent some time just playing around with different skin tones using the smaller sets I have. I still can’t decide if I prefer Luminance or Lightfast. They’re both amazing to work with. Luminance has this smooth, slightly creamy/velvety feel and includes a bunch of soft, neutral shades that are perfect for skin. Lightfast feels a bit firmer, but it still blends like a dream and has a really nice range of colors too.

So… at this point, I’m kind of accepting that I’ll probably end up getting both pencil ranges eventually.

reddit.com

115 upvotes on reddit

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DjevelHelvete · 5 months ago

Ooohhhh, I would like to see something from you using that green skin… it looks so whimsical ✨

4 upvotes on reddit

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r/mechanicalpencils • [10]

Summarize

A few of my favourites

Posted by Mortlach2901 · in r/mechanicalpencils · 4 months ago

Here are a few of my favourite pencils. It's been years since I truly enjoyed drawing and I'm just getting back into it. I love using these but I'm prone to collecting. Any suggestions on what I should be buying next or products I could be missing out on?

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102 upvotes on reddit

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aldora36 · 4 months ago

Love the TK 9400 clutch, 780 lead holder, and Advance Upgrade!

3 upvotes on reddit

Mortlach2901 · OP · 4 months ago

Advanced Upgrade?

I consider the 780 a bit of a benchmark! I have loads of them. Use them lots in the workshop. It was the first clutch pencil/lead holder I was introduced to by my technical drawing teacher. I think I have over a dozen of them but that's what happens when you keep buying the same product for 25 years+ 😄

3 upvotes on reddit

QuirkyPop1607 · 4 months ago

Nice set! Maybe snag a .9 by pilot S10, pentel 209 or twist-erase, kaweco special .9

3 upvotes on reddit

Mortlach2901 · OP · 4 months ago

It never even occurred to me to check out Kaweco. I have a Kaweco Sport and I love it!

1 upvotes on reddit

user15257116536272 · 4 months ago

TK9400 + 780C + 5900 Versatil + Rapid Pro = 2mm heaven

3 upvotes on reddit

aldora36 · 4 months ago

Yes, the Advance Upgrade is gray the Kuru Toga.

3 upvotes on reddit

Mortlach2901 · OP · 4 months ago

Ah, yes it's nice. I'd like more weight though, it's extremely lightweight.

2 upvotes on reddit

bellsbliss · 4 months ago

Nice collection for sure.

3 upvotes on reddit

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AI Answer

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Best pencil brands for artists

Key Considerations for Choosing Pencil Brands:

Graphite Quality: Look for brands that offer high-quality graphite for smooth application and consistent lines. Higher-quality graphite often results in better blending and shading.
Range of Hardness: A good brand should provide a range of hardness options (e.g., H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, etc.) to allow for versatility in drawing techniques.
Durability: Consider the durability of the pencil lead. Softer leads (B grades) can break easily, while harder leads (H grades) are more resistant but may not provide the same richness in dark tones.
Wood Quality: The quality of the wood used for the pencil casing can affect sharpening and overall feel. Look for brands that use high-quality cedar or basswood.
Eco-Friendliness: If sustainability is important to you, check if the brand uses environmentally friendly practices in their production.

Top Pencil Brands for Artists:

Faber-Castell: Known for their high-quality graphite and a wide range of hardness levels. The Polychromos colored pencils are also highly regarded.
Derwent: Offers a variety of pencils, including their Graphitint and Inktense lines, which are great for mixed media.
Prismacolor: Famous for their colored pencils, they also produce quality graphite pencils that are favored by many artists.
Staedtler: Offers reliable and consistent performance with their Mars Lumograph line, known for its smooth application and durability.
Caran d'Ache: A premium brand that provides exceptional quality, particularly in their colored pencils and graphite options.

Recommendation: If you're starting out, Faber-Castell's Graphite pencils (like the 9000 series) are a great choice due to their quality and range. For colored pencils, Prismacolor Scholar or Faber-Castell Polychromos are excellent options that balance quality and price.

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