How to Use Graphite Pencils

A good set of artist's graphite pencils is essential

Although not commonly associated with high art, using graphite pencils can make for a very rewarding experience. They are simple to use, do not require any real cleanup,and often result in some wonderful drawings for the artist who uses them. Drawing in graphite pencils also trains the artist's eye in seeing light and shadow, and in creating two-dimensional form.

Things You'll Need

• Charcoal pencils
• Good quality charcoal pencil drawing paper
• Pencil sharpener
• Perma eraser
• Ruler
• Selection of graphite pencils with different hardness

Instructions

1. 

   Gather your supplies. A small plastic crate is good to store all of them. Search for a good writing desk. For best results, choose a high quality paper, too:

2. Choose whatever photograph you want to do, or set up a still life. Having something to look at often helps your pencil drawings turn out more realistic.

3. Determine the layout of your drawing and how large a drawing you intend to do. Use your ruler to draw its dimensions.

4. 

   Pencil in the lines of your drawing. Do a line drawing of all the edges of characters, and relevant items, since you are basically doing a contour drawing with additional details. Use a medium hard pencil on this part of the exercise.

5. Start shading, using your softest pencils for the darkest shades and your harder pencils for the lightest shades. Start shading in shadows -- including light and dark areas -- paying attention to folds in fabric and other details.

6. Draw in different details and textures such as lines on a piece of cloth or ragged edges on some fruit, for example. Crosshatching is effective with your pencil, too. Pay attention to scenery and background, keeping perspective in mind and remembering that close-up items will be far more detailed than those that are further away.

7. 

   Add any final touches to your drawing such as a frame or a drawn-in floor. Spray, if need be, or find a good frame for your drawing so that others can enjoy it.

Tips & Warnings

• Perma erasers work best for hard edges while soft, pliable putty erasers work best for smoothing edges; those can work best in terms of doing a shade, having it go from gradual to dark. Good paper makes all the difference in pencil drawing. You want a paper that has some "teeth," but not too much. Practice drawing in a sketchbook with your pencils to build up skills and experience.

• Wear older clothes and work in an area to allow for a little graphite and dust. Even drawing with pencil can make a little mess, from erasures and more. Be careful of using any fixative sprays; use those in well-ventilated areas. Try not to press too hard with pencils; if your line is not dark enough, choose a softer pencil.

Resources

• Pencil Drawing for Beginnners