Stamps pencils for drawing are divided into amateur and professional. The main difference is the variety of colors and the higher quality of the pencil leads of the latter.
Types and purpose of art pencils
The simplest division of pencils is into simple and colored. A simple pencil has a lead made of gray graphite. A colored pencil has a core made of wax with various fillers.
The types of art pencils are presented in the table:
| Name of a type of pencil | Peculiarities | What is it used for (purpose) |
| Charcoal pencils | The lead contains a large percentage of coal. Such options are distinguished by the color saturation, but to fix the intensity they need to be covered with a special aerosol agent. | Volumetric still lifes, realistic artistic sketches, drafts. |
| Colored pencils | The lead of such pencils contains color pigment. The paper for drawing with such pencils should be thick and hard to avoid the lead from crumbling. | All kinds of works of art. |
| Pastel pencils | They are crayons or pastel pieces. | Used to create contours, shade backgrounds and draw small details. |
| Watercolor pencils | The lead is water soluble. The drawing paper must be absolutely dry. | Still lifes with shadows and highlights, creation of realistic landscapes. |
| Sanguine | A red-brown material that is similar in structure to coal but has more durable properties. | Creation of works in one brown tone, “antique” drawings, still lifes with fruits and dishes. |
| Graphite pencils | The lead is made of grey graphite. | Small details, volumetric sketches, realistic structures and materials. |
Requirements for professional pencils
Professional drawing pencils must meet higher requirements than regular ones.
Among the most important ones:
- pencils must be manufactured strictly in accordance with certain GOST standards and technical specifications;
- pencils must have an enamel paint coating;
- the pencil lead must pass along the entire axis of the product evenly and without deviations;
- the ends of the products must be at right angles to the main surface of the pencil;
- the color of the pencil coating should maximally reflect the intensity of the lead color;
- the rod of the product must be firmly inserted into the casing and withstand the load from strong pressure;
- the pencil must be sharpened on one side;
- A two-color pencil should be sharpened on both sides.
Best Brands of Professional Drawing Pencils in Sets
Among professional pencils for drawing, the options of German and English manufacturers stand out. They pay special attention to the quality of raw materials and innovative technologies.
Derwent Medium
The world-famous English company Derwent has been successfully producing goods for professional creativity for centuries.
Their pencils have several distinctive features:
- several shades of graphite;
- thin lead;
- hexagonal body;
- high-quality wood raw materials.
There are different product packagings. The most common is a metal box with 12 copies. The average cost in Russia is 1053 rubles.
Staedtler Mars Lumograph
German pencils of this brand are made of durable wood and high-quality graphite. They are intended for professional drawing work. All copies differ in hardness from HB to F. The diameter of the lead also varies from 2 to 3.6 mm.
Sold either individually or in a set (12 pcs.). Cost from 1200 rubles per package.
Tombow Mono Professional
Japanese pencils are distinguished by their simple design and reliable body. The main advantage is the presence of a washer at the end of the specimen, the function of which is to protect against breakage when dropped. They are also more economical: they break less often, the lead does not crumble when pressed.
Another significant advantage is easy erasing with a rubber eraser. This is explained by the fact that when drawing, Tombow pencils do not damage the integrity of the paper, do not scratch it. The cost per pack (12 pcs.) ranges from 950 to 1380 rubles.
Caran D'ache
The Swiss company of the same name has been famous for its production of pens and pencils since 1924. The items are of the highest quality, thanks to natural raw materials and the latest innovative technologies. Using such products is a pleasure.
The pencils are soft, durable, and have a comfortable body. Graphite versions are used to create black and white works of art. The disadvantage is the high price of pencils. The cost of 1 piece of ordinary wooden pencil starts from 1000 rubles.
Rotring Rapid Pro, 0.5 mm
Professional drawing pencils can also be mechanical. This makes them more convenient and economical. Rotring Rapid Pro is a good example of such an option.
Its main advantages are:
- reliable metal case;
- knurling for easy grip;
- quality of the lead and by-products (spring, metal).
The disadvantage is the low wear resistance of the spring. This element often needs to be replaced. The average price of such a pencil is 2,200 rubles.
Derwent Coloursoft
Colored pencils are also used for professional drawing. The Derwent brand is the leader in the production of such options.
The main advantages are:
- round body, comfortable to grip;
- durable lead;
- wax texture of pencils (possibility of mixing colors);
- brightness of the palette.
The package contains 24 colours, cost starts from 2310 roubles.
Faber Castell Polychromos
Professional German watercolour pencils have won the trust of artists and amateurs. They are distinguished by a durable wooden body and colourful pigments added to the composition of the lead.
Perfect for both dry-painting and volumetric watercolour landscapes. There are different packages of 12, 24 and 36 colours. The minimum set costs 1,500 roubles.
Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor
This brand is a good example of basic pencils for any occasion. The packaging can vary from 12 to 72 pcs. The disadvantage is the lack of gray halftones.
Advantages:
- soft lead (rich colors without strong pressure);
- comfortable body for grip;
- Possibility to purchase additional colors (sold individually).
The oily structure of the pencil leads allows you to get bright and saturated colors. The cost of a package of 12 pcs. on average is 1195 rubles.
Creative Art Materials
Watercolor pencils of this brand are made of excellent durable material that remains stable when dropped or broken. The leads are made in such a way that you do not need to press hard to achieve richness and brightness of color. That is why this option is considered professional.
A tin box is a regular package of pencils. The number of colors can vary from 12 to 40. The price will vary from 1340 to 2670 rubles per set.
Holbein
Another representative of high-quality, but by no means cheap pencils is from the Holbein brand.
They have a lot of advantages over their competitors:
- perfect appearance;
- easy to grip body;
- wide range of colors;
- high-quality lead, resistant to destruction;
- oil-based pencil lead.
Of the obvious disadvantages, one can only note the high price (1500 rubles for a set of 12 pieces). Also, these pencils are difficult to order due to the lack of export to Russia. Another disadvantage is the impossibility of ordering the product individually.
Faber Castell Albrecht Durer
German watercolour pencils are named after the famous artist. The materials used as raw materials are natural wood, which carefully undergoes several stages of processing. Also, in the composition of the lead, technologists use a unique mixture as a binder with a pigment additive. The most important advantage is considered to be the lightfastness of the elements.
This guarantees a long service life of the pencils. The pencils are ideal for both creating picturesque drawings in the wet technique and for quick sketches in the dry technique. There are packaging options: 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 colors. The price starts from 3400 rubles for a minimum set.
Caran D'ache Luminance
Pencils of this brand belong to the premium class. They are used exclusively for professional purposes due to the fairly high cost of the product. The country of manufacture is Switzerland.
The average set includes 40 colors. The texture is very soft, waxy. Using these pencils brings not only benefits, but also aesthetic pleasure. The main advantage is that they "show" themselves perfectly on any type of paper. The wooden body is made of California pine. The cost of the set is on average 9900 rubles.
Stabilo Carb Othello
Professional drawing pencils are almost always expensive. This is easily explained by the high quality of the wood used and the need to use expensive equipment.
Stabilo is a German brand specializing in the production of goods for artists. The pencils are made for creating pastel drawings: the lead contains a waxy element of 57%. The packaging is a large wooden pencil case with 2 compartments. The set contains 48 pieces. The price starts from 11,430 rubles.
Primacolor Premier
The most unusual feature of this option is the combination of a very hard lead and a delicate texture. The pencils are designed for drawing on thick cellulose paper. They are most often used to create sketches and drafts in the wet technique.
The sets include different standard quantities of colors (12,24,36,48,72,150). The cost varies from 8700 to 31 thousand rubles.
Marco Raffine
The standard set of these pencils includes 36 pieces. They are distinguished by a variety of even the rarest colors (beige, cream). They are produced in a thick cardboard box. Their texture is very soft and delicate. A pleasant bonus is a good price: from 1059 rubles for 12 colors.
To hone your painting skills, you need to not only practice a lot, but also use professional drawing tools: paper, pencils, paints and brushes.
Video about drawing pencils
Choosing a pencil for drawing: