For today’s Tools And Tips Tuesday, I want to show you my main drawing tool:
The 2B pencil!
If anyone is unfamiliar with the grading scales of graphite (drawing) pencils, I’ll give you the short/basic version:
H = Hardness, B = Blackness
The higher the number for H graphite pencils, the harder it is, and so the mark it will make will progressively be lighter, no matter much pressure you apply. Opposite that, the higher the number for B graphite pencils, the darker the marks will be. This means the graphite is a little more brittle and a bit more difficult to sharpen to a fine tip, but it will create great black shades with little effort. A slightly easier-to-understand explanation can be found here: Graphite Grading Scales
The 2B is my favourite one to use because it is incredibly versatile and balanced. Here’s are some brief details why:
- When sharpened, the 2B is well-capable of creating fine strokes without dulling too quickly.
- Depending on the pressure used, 2B pencils are quite useful for creating a broad spectrum of shades, from extremely light pencil strokes to impressively dark shades.
- Even after shading dark, 2B pencils are fairly easy to erase without leaving remnants of previous markings.
- When asking myself which pencil to use, I get to quote Shakespeare!
I do use a whole arsenal of pencil grades for various applications, but the 2B is one I can never go without. In fact, if I’m only ever allowed to use one pencil for the rest of my life, it would be a 2B. I go through them often and quickly…
Yup. Definitely my favourite.
Joshua Draws Things 