Drawing can be an exciting and rewarding journey. If you’re just starting out, graphite is one of the best mediums to choose. Its versatility allows you to explore various techniques that will benefit you as you transition to other art forms. With a few basic supplies, you can dive right into creating stunning artwork. In this guide, we’ll cover essential tools and techniques to help you get started.
Supplies
Pencils
There are numerous brands of graphite pencils available. The ones I use are Derwent, Faber-Castell, and Staedtler. No matter the brand, when selecting graphite pencils, it's important to have a range of hard and soft leads. The HB graphite scale indicates the hardness or softness of the lead.
Pencils marked with an “H” have harder leads, and they are numbered, the higher the number, the harder and lighter the lead. For example, a 6H is significantly harder than a 2H. The “B” pencils denote the softness of the lead, and the higher the number next to the “B”, the softer the lead.
I generally do not use pencils softer/darker than an 8B or harder/lighter than 2H. When beginning a drawing, I start with an H or 2H to lightly sketch the outline and details of my subject. Then, I'll use 2B-8B pencils for the darker areas and shadows.
Pencil Sharpeners
In my studio, I have a range of pencil sharpeners, from electric models to traditional hand-crank ones. However, I consistently return to using an x-acto knife and a sanding block. While this method takes more time, I believe that carefully shaving the wood, revealing a significant portion of the lead, and sanding it to a precise point keeps my pencil sharp for a longer duration.
Paper
The type of paper you choose will make a huge difference in the outcome of your work. When it comes to choosing the right drawing paper, two factors take precedence: weight and thickness. Paper weight, typically measured in pounds (lbs) or grams per square meter (GSM), refers to the weight of a ream of 500 sheets. A heavier paper offers greater durability, being less likely to wrinkle or tear, while also being able to hold more layers. Meanwhile, the thickness of the paper refers to the distance between the two surfaces of the paper (the front and the back). Thicker paper is less likely to bleed through, providing artists with a more reliable and robust canvas to create their works on.
Paper weight can range anywhere from 50lbs to 140lbs and the weight you select will depend on a variety of factors, including the drawing materials you plan to use, your preferred techniques, and your personal preferences. That said, for beginners, it’s often recommended to start with lighter weight papers such as 70lb or 80lb, as these papers are easier to handle and more forgiving. They are also more affordable, making them a great option for those who are just starting out.
As an artist, understanding the texture or tooth of paper is an essential skill to master. The texture of paper can greatly impact the quality of your drawings and the overall feel of your artwork. There are several types of paper textures you can choose from, such as rough, smooth, and medium. Rough paper textures are great for creating a more organic, natural look to your artwork. It can also be great for creating depth and dimensionality in your drawings. Smooth paper textures, on the other hand, are perfect for creating intricate pencil sketches. Medium paper textures offer a balance between rough and smooth textures. It provides enough tooth for the pencil to grip onto, but not so much that it makes it difficult to create fine details. When choosing a paper texture, it’s important to consider the style of artwork you want to create. By understanding the texture of paper, you can create stunning and unique works of art that truly capture your vision.
My personal preference for paper when it comes to graphite is Bristol paper. If I am drawing an animal or a human that has a lot of texture in their fur or skin, I tend to use the vellum surface which has more tooth, allowing me to build up more layers of graphite which gives more depth to the drawing. If I am drawing something with less texture, I will typically use the smooth surface which is great f or creating fine lines and detailed drawings.
Erasers
In my opinion, erasers can be just as important as the pencils. They allow you to create highlights, strands of hair, and tiny details that can represent the bumps on a dog’s nose, or the pores of someone’s skin. There are different types of erasers for different jobs.
Kneaded Eraser: Also referred to as “kneaded rubber,” this type of eraser is pliable and can be molded like clay. It works by picking up pigment off of the paper and doesn’t leave crumbs like a gum or rubber eraser. It can be re-kneaded to absorb graphite. Since kneaded erasers can be shaped into a point, they can be used to erase areas of very fine detail. This is the type of eraser I use the most, it is inexpensive and incredibly versatile.
Tombow Mono Zero Eraser: This tiny eraser works like a mechanical pencil. You insert the slender eraser into the barrel, allowing you to use it much like a pencil. This is my go-to eraser for creating fine lines and details in my drawings.
Electric Eraser: Electric erasers come in a variety of sizes and will remove graphite quickly and efficiently. I find these useful for creating details that require preciseness such as highlights and wisps of hair.
Gum Eraser: Often called "art gum" erasers, gum erasers have a soft, somewhat gummy texture and can appear slightly translucent. They absorb graphite and crumble while erasing. These erasers are softer than standard rubber erasers. However, they are not the most precise for erasing and work better for larger areas.
Vinyl Eraser: Also referred to as “plastic erasers” or “drafting erasers”. These erasers are hard and have a rigid texture, making them ideal for heavy-duty erasing, with the ability to lift even ink from a page. Their clean and complete erasing capabilities make them the favored type for drafters. Because of the very rigid texture of a vinyl eraser, there is a possibility of damaging the paper, so work gently when erasing, and don’t use on delicate types of paper.
Blending Tools
For smooth transitions in your drawings, blending tools are invaluable.
Blending Stumps: Blending stumps are sticks of tightly rolled paper. They are available in a range of sizes, from large for blending bigger areas to very small for blending intricate details of a drawing. Using blending stumps can help create soft gradients that mark the transition between light and shadow. To keep them effective, use fine sandpaper to refresh the tips and remove any built-up graphite residue.
Q-tips: Work very well to blend graphite in large or smaller areas.
Cotton Balls: These work well for larger areas requiring blending.
Tissue: Tissue also works for blending large areas however, tissue is very delicate so it must be used lightly on the paper to avoid tearing it and leaving small pieces of the paper behind.
Makeup Brushes & Eye Shadow Applicators: These are excellent for creating a smooth appearance and blending from one shade to another.
Fixative
When I have completed a graphite drawing, I like to seal it with a final fixative. This helps to preserve your drawing as well as prevent it from smudging.
Understanding Value
A value scale is a tool that will help you understand tonal relationships. I recommend a nine-step scale because it has a middle value. You can make a value scale by marking nine swatches, as shown below. Then, using light layers, begin with swatch 1 which will be as dark as you can go (recall that the 8B pencil is very dark) and ending with swatch 9 which will be the white of the paper, the lightest value. Then add an estimate for tone 5 in the middle. Now, add tones 3 and 7. Add the remaining tones to complete the scale.
Making your own value scale is great practice and will be an indispensable tool you can use throughout the drawing process to ensure your values are correct. Getting the correct value is crucial when drawing and painting. Without the proper values, your subject will look flat and one-dimensional.
Light & Shadow
Grasping the concepts of light and shadow is essential in creating art. Understanding how light interacts with an object and influences the various parts of a shadow can significantly enhance the realism of your artwork.
I strongly suggest arranging a still life and practicing drawing from observation. You can start with something as simple as a sphere. Position your sphere and use a single light source to illuminate it. When light shines on an object, it creates two types of shadows: a cast shadow and a form shadow. In the image below, you can observe the various parts of the shadow and light, along with their respective levels of darkness and brightness.
To learn more about the importance of light and shadow in art, you can read my previous blog post here:
Techniques
Now that we know all the supplies we will need and the importance of value and light, let’s get into some techniques you can use that will take your drawing to the next level!
Layering: How you layer your graphite is very important and the amount of layering you can do will depend on the tooth of your paper. Recall that smooth paper has less tooth meaning it holds less graphite as compared to a more textured paper.
Regardless of the type of paper you choose, you will want to avoid being heavy handed with your graphite layers. Each layer should be drawn lightly for two reasons; one is if you make a mistake, it will be much easier to erase if you went in lightly, and two, if you press too hard with your graphite it will have a shiny appearance and it will take away from the value and detail you were trying to achieve.
When I am drawing, I create several layers of graphite, blending between each layer until I have achieved the correct value for that area. It does take patience, but the result is well worth it! With each layer I check to see that I haven’t gone too light or too dark and I am always using my different erasers to pull out the details necessary to make my drawing look realistic.
Shading: Mastering shading techniques is vital for adding depth to your drawings. Here are a few essential methods:
Hatching: Create parallel lines to achieve shading. The closer the lines, the darker the area becomes. For example, a series of closely spaced lines can create a shadow under an object.
Cross-hatching: Layer intersecting lines to produce texture and depth. This creates a richer appearance, making it useful for detailing complex textures, like fur or fabric.
Stippling: Using dots creates shading gradually. Though time-consuming, stippling can produce a unique texture ideal for backgrounds.
Blending: Smudging graphite using blending stumps, make-up brushes, cotton balls, and Q-Tips helps create smooth gradations. This is my preferred technique and is particularly useful in portraits to showcase subtle skin tones or light reflections.
Final Tips for Success
Practice Regularly: Just like learning a musical instrument, consistent practice is fundamental. Aim for at least 30 minutes of sketching each day to refine your skills.
Study Real Objects: Draw from life—whether it's household items, plants, or pets. Real-world observation will sharpen your skills significantly.
Experiment: Explore various techniques and styles. Trying new methods can lead to delightful surprises in your artwork.
Stay Patient: Drawing can be difficult, and it might feel like progress is slow. However, keep in mind that every session adds to your development.
Embrace Your Artistic Journey
Graphite is an outstanding medium for both beginners and those with some experience. With just a few supplies and a willingness to practice, you can develop impressive skills. The process of learning to draw with graphite is as enjoyable as the artworks you will create.
So, gather your pencils, paper, and erasers, and step into the wonderful world of graphite drawing!
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