Best graphite pencils for drawing? Pencil review: Staedtler, Faber-Castell, Derwent and Koh-I-Noor

Graphite pencil review of 4 top art brands: Staedtler, Faber-Castell, Derwent and Koh-I-Noor
►► Learn everything you need to know about shading.

► About this art tutorial 👌

In this episode I will try to answer a very difficult question: what are the best graphite pencils for drawing?

I have tested and experimented with the following graphite pencils:
- Koh-I-Noor 1500 Series
- Derwent Graphic
- Faber-Castell 9000 Series
- Staedtler Mars Lumograph

To test the difference between these best sketch pencils, I did a drawing exercise using pencils HB and 6B.

There is a reason why I picked these two pencil lead grades, which I will explain in the beginning.

However, the review itself took a very unexpected turn.

Because the results were shocking!

I found out that the results of my drawings are almost identical. You can find out more about this in my previous episode:

So, I decided to change my approach and be practical in order to find out what the best sketch pencils for drawing are for you!

Therefore, I will share with you a practical tip what to do:
- if you are a complete beginner
- if you are an advanced artist

In summary, I will not only review graphite pencils of these 4 top art brands but also give practical advice that will help you to choose the best pencils for drawing and shading for your own art!

So, you can start drawing now! 😉

In this video you will learn:
- about Koh-I-Noor 1500 graphite pencils
- what are the best pencils for drawing and shading
- about Derwent Graphic graphite pencils
- what are the best professional drawing pencils
- about Faber-Castell 9000 graphite pencils
- what are the best pencils for artists
- about Staedtler Mars Lumograph graphite pencils
- what are the best graphite pencils for beginners

► Chapters 🧐

0:00 Introduction
0:31 Best pencil grades for beginners
1:22 How I compare?
2:33 Conclusion on drawing exercise
3:26 Koh I Noor graphite pencils review
4:32 Derwent Graphic pencils review
6:00 Faber Castell 9000 pencils review
7:31 Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencils review
8:21 Best graphite pencils for beginners
9:06 Best graphite pencils for advanced artists
10:38 What happens after making commitment?

► About the series 😎

The aim of the “How To Draw Still Life” series is to give you everything you need to know about drawing still life.

If you are beginning to draw, then it ultimately provides an essential guide how to draw and how to shade still life objects.

The series offers not only step by step art tutorials that are easy to follow but also practical tips, tricks and interesting ideas.

We will reveal how to express materiality such as metal, wood, textile, texture or glass while drawing still life.

These step by step videos of how to draw will help you to quickly achieve professional results.

Learn how to draw and shade like a pro with Teaching of Art!

► Episodes in the ‘How To Draw Still Life’ series 🎬

► Used art material ✏️

- Graphite pencils HB and 6B (Koh-I-Noor 1500 Series)
- Graphite pencils HB and 6B (Derwent Graphic)
- Graphite pencils HB and 6B (Faber-Castell 9000 Series)
- Graphite pencils HB and 6B (Staedtler Mars Lumograph)

#GraphitePencils #PencilDrawing #GraphitePencil #TeachingOfArt #HowToDraw #Drawing #DrawingTutorial #Artwork #Artworks #HowToSketch #GraphitePencilDrawing

[debbiebruce]

Great video. I’ve been using the Faber-Castell Pitt Graphite Matt for a few months now. Love them! I wish they had been on your list.

[EyesofLamia]

Thank you, this was very useful. I am running out of pencil leads and was slightly locked up trying to pick which brand to buy next.

[stevejones]

I don't recommend Derwent for anyone who wishes to take up serious drawing. Although good they are extremely difficult to find as open stock, so need to be replaced as part of sets. The letter and number system is not a standard, so one company's 6B will not be another company's 6B, it may be darker or lighter. The Faber Castell Matt, might be the best option at this time, as they blend very nicely and don't give a reflective shine. They also go to a very dark 14B. while dark tones can be achieved with lesser graded pencils, they may use more layers on the paper to obtain the same depth of shade. The layers give reason for the different grades. Faber Castell are also easily available as open stock. They also sharpen very nicely, hold a good point and don't appear to break as easily as some other brands. Alongside Faber Castell, Caran d Ache work nicely together. In the initial starting out, the drawings are unlikely to be kept so any cheap brand pencil might do to learn the foundations.

[itstisguy]

You should try hand sharpening softer grade pencils ie 5B 6B + with a blade instead of a pencil sharpener... since I've done this I hardly ever find that the lead has broken etc, the twisting motion of the pencil sharpener breaks the lead I think... And I do this even with harder grades like 4H etc but the I make my lead stick out quite a bit then use those tiny sharpeners you get with a compass for the lead part to sharpen it, or I'll even sharpen the tip like one would clean a blending stump on fine sanding paper

[nelsanderson]

Thank you so much. I have bought a lot of pencils and have been getting a little confused; you have helped to straighten me out. I have found each brand to have different qualities which I can change depending on my mood and what I am trying to do. Again, thank you.

[vlogsfavorsphileco]

Hi, you didn't mention on your finished videos the best brand without or without too much reflections or glare at different light angle which makes the drawing almost invisible at many angles or perspective.
Do you have recommendation at this point of time? Thank you very much.

[greekveteran]

Also, in my humble opinion, if you cant see the difference and all look similar, is like saying all cars are the same. Faber Castell 9000 are the most versatile and the most durable. Staedtler mars are good for face portairature and writing. For anything else though, 9000 beats the Staedtler. Sure the best choice for technical drawing of course 9000 all the way for me. PS Palomino Blackwing are not great for technical, but they rock on any other job!!

[thomasmolina]

Yeah, I noticed that the Derwent were darker… They’re also a little bit gritty.

[VictorLonmo]

Graphite pencils have been around a while so it is not a big surprise that companies with a focus on quality make good graphite pencils. I use Staedtler Mars myself and I had one that would break before it would sharpen however it has been the exception. My guess is that it was damaged somehow. As a guess I have bought about 20 Staedtler Mars pencils and I have no problems recommending them.
I received a set of Artista pencils as a gift and I do not recommend them. They are soft and prone to chipping so the marks tend to be dark and a bit inconsistent. I sometimes use them as a challenge. I refuse to throw them away even though it is tempting....
I read reviews of Mitsubishi Hi-Uni pencils saying they are the best so I bought a set. I did a blind test between them and the same grade of Steadtler pencils and could not tell the difference. They felt the same and I could not tell the difference regarding the darkness of their lines.
I agree with your recommendation about going to an art store to get your supplies. Just find a good quality brand where you can buy the pencils individually. If you do buy a set you will almost certainly find that the soft pencils wear down a lot faster than the harder ones so it is worthwhile to find a shop that lets you buy individual pencils.

[greekveteran]

Instead of the poor quality Derwents, in their place, I'd put the Mitsubishi or Blackwing.