If this pencil works, it will change your life.

Faber Castell has claimed to produce the world's first matt graphite pencils. The biggest problem with using graphite pencils for your drawings is how much shine the pencils have, which can stop your pencil drawings from looking realistic. Matte graphite pencils? No shine? That sounds too good to be true. Let's review the Pitt matte graphite pencils from Faber Castell to see if they actually work.

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[HArtDrawing]

These pencils are amazing. I compared them to the Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black carbon pencils a while ago and they were pretty much identical. They did a great job of reducing the shine and they’re both now my go-to pencils for dark tones

[bouncy]

I always thought graphite shine added a certain charm to the drawing, i'd always flip my graphite drawings under light as a teen because i thought it looked funny

[Blick_Art]

Terrific demonstration of this medium! Representational (realist) artists have been very excited about this product, for the exact reasons you mentioned- the shine of an embossed, dark graphite passage can really distract from the image if it's too pronounced. The manufacturer information about these pencils indicates that the core material is a combination of clay and graphite. We think that likely disrupts the typical, pure graphite surface. Graphite particles are flat plates that lay down like roof slates or a spread deck of playing cards; producing the characteristic, silvery shine when graphite pencil tones are applied with force. Kaolin (clay) also has a flat shape, but we think the combination (possibly with a binding agent) prevents the formation of a shiny, embossed surface. Very nice!

In the last century, when hand lettering was a skill more commonly practiced, artists learned to employ techniques for laying down deep, dark tones without excessively polishing the paper. Some called it "noodling" or "squiggles" because they employed randomized spiral marks when filling areas with a deep tone. Others simply avoided graphite altogether, in favor of carbon pencils, whose amorphous carbon pigment produced a naturally shine-free surface, albeit without the subtle gradations of tone that only graphite can offer.

[valerienagle]

I have been taking your classes on youtube and on your website for about a year. I am so happy with how much my art has improved. Keep teaching art 💗

[anthropomorphicpeanut]

Your kids are so lucky to have such a talented mother! I'm not an artist at all so it blows my mind that people like you can make something so beautiful with paper and pencils

[Star_Rattler]

It'd be insane to think it would be 100% gone but WOW it's like a 90% difference... that's very impressive!
Also, lovely drawing of the babies! How you chose to compose it worked wonderfully!

[Rudero]

Staedtler makes one too. I've used it in combination with a Polychromos black pencil, it makes a nice contrast between the two without giving you that metallic sheen.

[SheilaLandry]

I have these and I love them. They really do make a difference. Not perfect, but pretty impressive I think. :)
Thanks for the video.
What I found is that if I very lightly go over the areas that I colored in with the 14B with a lower number (say, the 10B) it will knock back the small amount of reflection even more, without 'lightening' the area. Now remember - it needs to be a LIGHT layer over it. But for me, that pretty much took care of any reflection I had from those darkest areas. Just a thought . . .

[rmuller]

Just WOW! Leave it to Faber-Castell to come up with a terrific pencil. I love their 9000 series, but only use them for sketching. The shine factor is high with them, but not with these new pencils. I’ll be getting a set of these. Thanks Kristy for letting us into such a personal side of your family life. I loved the big reveal to your hubby at the end. It was obvious how impressed he was with the drawing, but more importantly the subject. You’re 100% about connecting with the subject we’re drawing. Emotions play a huge role in the art process for me. Blessings to you and everyone!

[attheranch]

I’d like to see a comparison between the matte graphite pencils and the black polychromos. I’m wondering how different they would be. It looks like the graphite would be easier to erase than the polychromos.

[jermainelong]

You are gifted!! I haven't drawn or painted for 22 years and I'm almost scared to get back into it.

[oregeki]

Thats amazing! even if it does have a slight shimmer it keeps the dark value really well! I had no idea how much of an annoyance this was to me until you specifically pointed it out, its part of the reason i switched to ink and charcoal. I will need to get a set of these thank you for doing that review.

[nozee]

Aww, that drawing came out wonderfully! What a precious portrait.
Those pencils are on my wishlist for sure! Love Faber Castell.

[josievanotterlo]

Beautiful creation!!! Appreciate you using these new pencils and sharing with us!

[izzyjones]

Awe. What a lovely idea to draw your babies♡♡ I've been watching you on and off for years. You're so talented and have given me awesome tips that have helped me with my own art. Thank you!! I want to play with these pencils

[themushroominside]

I really hope they come out with 2mm bare leads for this, i personally prefer using my lead holder rather than to risk sharpening a wooded one since i always seem to break the leads that way, a personal problem for me but definatly something i want to get into!

[donnawalter]

Gorgeous drawing sweetheart of my precious grandchildren, really looking forward to getting a Gorgeous frame to put the drawing in, and it will have pride of place on the wall. Fantastic video. Your graphite drawings have always been my favourite 🥰

[chaosordeal]

I suspect that the sheen from your final sample is largely from where the pencil point burnished the markings a bit.

[wretched]

I love hearing you talk about your babies and your love for them! It made the drawing even more special because the viewer knew the subject was something close to your heart, which brings something extra to the artwork. The pencils did really well!

"Children are a blessing from the Lord, a reward from Him" - psalm 127:3

[Nihonium]

I actually bought these last month, but on my first attempt at a portrait for some reason I didn't like the feel of them. The 14B is what made me buy this set, but I didn't think it was actually that dark. At that price, it felt extremely disappointing... and I went back to my good old regular graphite pencils.
Maybe I didn't press hard enough to get the dark values I was looking for, so after seeing your video I'm going to give that another try with these for my next portrait!