Sketching Pencils for Beginners

Blue Acorn sketching pencils range from 5H to 6B grades and are great value, cedar sketching pencils in a natural finish. Ideal for sketching, shading and an introduction to the use of tone. They feature double-dipped ends for durability. Available in three different sets, two cardboard packaged sets (perfect for recycling) – 6’s and 12’s. Plus our latest addition of a 12 pencil-tin set -perfect for on the go!.

Pencil Grading

From lightest to darkest, 6H is the lightest and hardest grade pencil through to 8B which is the darkest and softest grade. The most popular pencil for simple sketching is the HB which sits in the middle of the grading system as a perfect all-rounder!

The harder the pencil is the lighter the mark they produce, this is due to less of the graphite being released as the pressure is applied. Therefore, the softer the pencil the darker the mark they produce! How hard or soft a pencil is, can be determined by their grading systems.

But which grade pencil should be used and when?

H pencils sharpen to a fine point making them perfect for outlining and highlighting your drawings. Whereas B grades are much darker and don’t retain their points for long due to being soft, so make the perfect pencils for shading and tonal work plus they are great for smudging and blending.

The range of sketching pencils that Blue Acorn offer span the middle of these grades making them the perfect introductory set for beginners who want to experiment and explore using a range of different graded pencils. But they also make a great budget option for anyone who needs an affordable range of pencils, especially the 12 tin as they are a great option for using at home, in the classroom and everywhere in between. The tin being can be used time and time again for years to come!