What do you think of the above pencils (Faber Castell 9000 vs Staedtler Mars Lumograph) as the only medium for drawing? I will be drawing mainly landscapes and portraits. Will be using grades from 6H to 8B.

Am I correct in my impression that at least with the current production the Faber Castell 9000 is one to two grades harder than the Staedtler Lumograph? In other words to me the Staedtler Lumograph HB feels about the same as a Faber Castell 9000 2B pencil.

Also what do you think of Derwent Graphic, Sanford/Prismacolor Turquoise and Tombow Mono Professional (not 100) pencils?

What is your favourite pencil brand for drawing and sketching?

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Hany.

I have been on the hunt for the right pencils for me. I think I have tried every one till some one else brings up another kind then I have to have it so I can compare. I just started using the staedtler mars lumograph on my portraits I love them so much they are tuff but have a smooth soft feel that I think you can tell from all the others I have used derwent,I have some called rexel cumberland derwent graphic love them..I have used portfolio aqua sketch, Faber castell design drawing 3800, Kimberley,prang, and staedtler is top of my list. I have not tried the Faber castell 9000 yet!! going to have to give it a try!!! Faber castell color pencils and the water color are my favorite color pencils by far, the Germany really knows how to make a good pencil..I have used prismacolor for years till I tried the Faber castell ones..derwent coloursoft is good and derwent graphitint with the 24 colors is fun..and different..the derwent intense is very bright and the derwent drawing is different it comes in 24 it is not the reg pencils they are like a color pencil but very soft I love them wish they would come in 120 sets.. also I have tried the carand'ache water color pencils and they are nice..but Faber has won over the color pencil and the water color pencil line so I am sure the Faber 9000 would be a really good one as well ..I really seem to like
Germany's pencils. I have most likely confused every one..I hope this helps some..I am now trying different paper,,so far fabriano soft press is my love and Stonehenge, rives is good, in the sketch book part I love I think it is new it is canson ca'grain 111lb I love it for drawing and color pencils, In another year I will let every one know what paper is good in my opinion...happy drawing shadow

I have only used Derwent and Staedler Mars Lumograph. I prefer the Lumograph.

I Just found out the other day they have the Lumograph in 2mm leads. So Im actually pondering getting a few 2mm lead holders and a few different leads to see if they compare to the standard lumograph pencil quality wise.

DO IT!

I began using 2mm clutch pencils (lead holders) during he first year I began drawing. I'm now in my 30th year as a professional and I still use nothing else. I only ever use Staedtler leads.

Regarding Derwent - the statement above is correct, they are harder overall than Staedtlers. My workshop packs always consist of Staedtler wood-cased pencils (4B, 2B, HB, 2H, 4H) and recently I had a participating artist using his own Derwent 4B for a particular exercise. It was impossible for him to achieve the density of tone that everyone else was achieving with Staedtlers. In my experience Staedtlers go on like butter, and I'm surprised if I find a single impurity in lead in any year.

Clutch pencils score over wood-cased in number of ways - mainly because they maintain a constant balance and length, and their slight extra weight aids control. In brief, every time I pick one up I know exactly how it is going to behave.

Staedtler 2mm leads are not too difficult to source, nor are the clutch pencils (although you could use Faber, Alvin etc) but the lead pointers (sharpeners) are not as readily available. I buy all my Staedtler tools mine from www.Millers-Art.co.uk and they will ship internationally.

Thanks Mike
I love all the advice you can give us it will help me I have been wanting to use a good clutch pencil and did not know where to get the staedtlers so I am off to order. I have been reading your book I have learned so much it is the best book among so many of mine wish I would of found it along time ago..I don't know if you remember me I am the one who's book got lost in MO and I was up set and you came to my rescue thank you for that and the wonderful art site etc..and finding blue tack I would not draw any more with out it and the staedtler pencils it was a great day when I found them ..your artist admirer shadow2b/Angie

I have tried a lot of pencils but I finally found a Blick store that had the lead holders and lead. Love them.

Not to confuse matters but what is the diffence with the Staedtler Mars Carbon Leads? Not the same as the Mars lumograph I am guessing? I have a few of these but have not got around to using them.

most graphite is a form of carbon. so they should be the same as the lumograph.

I prefer to use Staedtler Mars Lumograph, for me this type of pencil has the best form and style (I love blue colour ).

MARS LUMOGRAPH-Set 100 G 125 Sketching Pencils 8B, 7B, 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H are excellent

so far there my favorite pencil to..I am trying to find the right pencils and the right paper...I keep trying diffrent ones when I get the chance.

I use Staedtler Mars lumograph as well

I like the Staedtler Mars Lumograph because the sharpen easy and they say what hardness they are on all sides. So I can easily grab the pencil I want instead of turning them over to see which one they are.