Now that Kay has asked about paper, I feel compelled to ask what types of pencils you folks use for drawing in graphite. Personally, I use several types, depending on the piece I am working on, but I use Staedtler technical drafting mechanical lead holders (2mm) in various grades B, HB, 2B, etc., I use mechanical pencils in sizes .03, .05, .07, .09. I also use General brand wood pencils, Derwent wood pencils and woodless graphite pencils in various grades. I have Derwent water soluble graphite pencils but honestly, have not used them. I lean toward the Staedtler lead holders because they always feel the same in my hand, and are easy to get a needle sharp point if you need one.
When you answer, could you please tell why you prefer that type and any other information that you might like to include, thanks to all who reply.

i use the same with the mechanical pencil and i also use the prisma color graphite pencil ...(they seem to shine more, but that could be me too) ..lately i have been trying charcoal because i seem to like the darks better even though it is much messier..i sometimes resemble a lil street urchin

Hi,

I use Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite wood pencils, because I like their softness compared to Steadler. Also, under the advice of Venus, I use Sanford Design Ebony for my blackest black because it doesn't shine as much.

I keep trying to like mechanical pencils and clutch pencils -- I have plenty of both -- but I always come back to my wooden ones. Derwents are great for the softer pencils; I favor General's for the harder ones. I use the Design Ebonys too, as well as some Wolf's Carbon pencils for jet-jet-black.

I always used to play with Faber-Castell wood pencils 2H to 8B (and come back to them often), but always have a 2b mechanical 0.7mm in my sketch kit in my bag, ready when I want. And clutch pencils too. And when I do bigger pieces I use graphite powder, from a woodless 9B graphite stick that I scrape on sandpaper, impregnated on cotton cloth as well.

Thanks for answering me, I don't like charcoal for that very reason, a compromise for me is charcoal pencils, General brand is one I just happen to have, and they spoil you as far as shading and darks, you can get really dark without repeating layers and layers of progressive darker strokes of graphite.

thanks for the input, you have given me a great idea for my little pick up kit I bring to dr. appointments. Those mechanical pencils are just the thing!

Thank you for taking the time to answer. I just got some of the design ebonys. I have yet to try them, but on your recommendation I will definitely give them a try.

thank you for your response. I have never tried Cretacolor. Would you recommend a set or a few open stock in various degrees? As I mentioned to Ernest, I just got some Design Ebony, haven't tried them yet, I may just have to tonight, lol!

I prefer Staedler Mars Lumograph and Cretacolor. . . I've tried several others that I didn't like nearly as well. I also like the Palimino for sketching but they don't come in a full range though.

Thanks for answering. I am not familiar with Palimino brand. Do favor Staedtler for hard or soft? Cretacolor, hard or soft?

Hi,

where I buy them, they don't have sets. So I buy them separately, and put them in the set box of the bad ones I had bought before and then gave away

And Cretacolor are soft.

I have a tin with a range from hard to soft of both Staedler and Cretacolor.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Thanks for answering. It seems many people favor Staedler.