5 Pencil Sharpening Techniques for Pros

All the ways I sharpen all the pencils that I use. Wooded and woodless graphite pencils, 2.0 and 5.6 mm mechanical pencils, charcoal pencils, and eraser pencils. I’ll show you how to use the Blackwing 2-step hand powered sharpener, the Staedtler 2mm lead pointer, how to correctly sharpen with a blade, and how to make your own sandpaper blocks.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Wooded Graphite
05:07 - Sandpaper Variations
07:23 - Woodless Graphite
10:07 - 5.6mm Clutch
10:53 - Charcoal Pencil
15:00 - 2.0mm Mechanical
17:07 - Wacom Stylus
17:30 - Eraser pencil

RAZOR BLADE SAFETY:

If you’re young, find an adult to assist you. Blades are sharp and you’re gonna be holding and pushing it right next to your fingers. It’s important to be careful, ESPECIALLY if this is your first time sharpening with a blade. It’s gonna feel awkward. It’s much easier and safer to sharpen with a sharp razor blade. If it’s dull you’ll probably press harder, get frustrated and maybe break your pencil. When they get dull or rusty, throw them out. And I don't know if it's just me, but I feel really uneasy throwing a razor blade in the trash. I always cover the blade with some tape first.

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#drawingpencils #artsupplies #sketching

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ABOUT PROKO:

Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high-quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.

CREDITS:

Script - Stan Prokopenko
Publishing - Alex Otis, John Birchall

Music Used with Permission
Intro - The Freak Fandango Orchestra

Additional music by Epidemic Sound

[JudoMitzu]

Finally a good tutorial for sharpening my wacom pencil.

[jacobtrahan]

I never thought I needed to watch a nearly 20 minute video about sharpening pencils but it’s Proko and I will learn something I’m sure!

[MR_EYEX]

15:58 The little hole on the mechanical pencil´s eraser cap is a built in sharpener, just put the lead and rotate it for a few seconds and will work, takes more time than with the third party pencil sharpener, but 60% of the time, It works every time.

[shanaehansen]

Thanks for this super educational video Proko!!!

For the other people like me who are wondering what products he’s using I’ve listed them below after much pausing and googling. 😅

Products used in order of appearance:

-Blackwing Palomino Matte Pencil
-Ticonderoga HB #2 Pencil
-STAEDTLER Mars Lumograph Pencil set
-Jarlink Electric sharpener
-Blackwing Sharpener or (KUM automatic)
-Cretacolor Monolith wordless graphite pencil
-Conté à Paris Pierre Noir - Charcoal Pencil
-Koh-I-Noor Mechanical Hardtmuth Lead Holder 5.6
-Staedtler Mars Technico Lead Holder 2mm
-Staedtler 502 BK A6 Mars Rotary Action Lead Pointer and Tub for 2mm Leads
-Touch Copic Rubber Pencil Eraser

[-_shlhira_-]

rather than razor blades, I use box cutters with retractable blades. Easy and safe to hold, easy to snap the ends off and get to that sharper bit. I use the thin ones rather than the really thick box cutters but either works the same. They're not quite as sharp as razor blades, but they're so easy to use that I think it's worth it.

[chrisallen]

I’m just getting into drawing and ordered a drawing kit with pencils, charcoal and colored pencils, shading tools, sandpaper, eraser, sharpener, even came with a sketch pad, and coloring book. Love the kit, as I can hold all my pencils and tools in one zip up binder! Been drawing and practicing. Love learning about all the tools, tips, tricks, etc… It has made me so happy. I forgot how much I loved to draw as a kid. Taking art classes in high school, and then just kind of letting life happen… stumbling back into it has definitely brought some joy back into my life ❤

[trublgrl]

PRO TIP: If you are sharpening with a sandpaper pad, POLICE YOUR PAD! The graphite is not really stuck to the sandpaper, it's all too happy to fall off, on to your desk, your hands, your clothes, or _your drawing!_ Be careful with it, give it a special place to sit away from your drawing, but within reach. Don't shove it into your pencil case if it's dirty with graphite. I always tap mine off over the trash can each time I use it.

[blenfisseha]

Proko firstly i want to thank you for evey lesson you give!! You have changed my perspective to art i used to hate drawing in general but since i saw you there in nothing more than art i love thank Fan from africa🇪🇹

[guilhemandre]

Hey if you want to use a razor blade but feel awkward with the blade you can also use an x-acto (box cutter also work), a bit more expensive, but it has a handle and the blade is smaller!

[timz]

I have an old Boston manual pencil sharpener someone got me for a birthday as a kid in 1985. It still works great. This thing just doesn't stop working and never needs batteries.

[pauljs]

The "Blackwing" sharpener is just a re-brand of the Kum Long-point. They work quite well, but the container part is a bit small and needs to be emptied every time. I've heard there are two variants, the better one has the metal insert which blades attach to instead of having molded plastic.

[janilledutton]

Not only are you a hoot, but you did a fantastic job explaining how to sharpen different types of pencils! Awesome! Thank you :D

[willt.]

I work at an art supply store and the first time I saw those eraser core pencils it blew my mind.

[aditisulke]

Sanding for using them sideways was really helpful info. Thanks!

[benjaminacuna]

I would say a dupe for the sanding block is using a large acrylic nail file they are cheap and have good grit

[frankligas]

Thanks for the video. Pro tip: Graphite conducts electricity. Do not place pencils in a backpack or other bag with electronics. A broken off pencil lead in a backpack that then works it's way into a USB port can fry a motherboard when you boot up your laptop. Also, if you have a pencil sharpener... DO NOT PUT INTO THE SAME BAG AS YOUR ELECTRONIS EVER! Graphite dust from a pencil sharpener will fry motherboards on cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc... I call my laptop bag, my "Sterile Laptop Bag". No pencils, no food, no salt packets, etc. Graphite dust under the keys of your keyboard ... Bad Mojo Dude. Don't do it. Additional warning, be careful when dumping the dust from pencil sharpeners. Graphite dust conducts electricity and drifts in the air. Do not dump pencil sharpeners into the trash in the same room as your electronics.

[catherineraper]

Thank you for explaining how to sharpen the 5.6mm lead. I love using them, but I wasn’t sure how sharpen it. :)

[starrychomps]

*me watching this taking notes slowly stopping taking notes with my wacom stylus *

..*me and my wacom stylus look at each other *

*my stylus evaporates out of fear *

[kjhgfdsd]

Try a 2.0 mm pencil and you'll never want to use anything else. They're awesome. At 2mm, the lead is the same diameter as those found in a typical wooden pencil--meaning you can shade on the size. Unlike a wooden pencil that shrinks as you sharpen it, these maintain their size and weight.

[aloha]

I love this channel! A whole bunch of super handful tips. I am going to attend a drawing class but if I do not find it to be what I need, I will certianly consider his online courses!