Pencils

Colouring, Watercolour, Pastel and Graphite pencils for students and professionals from leading manufacturers such as Faber Castell, Cretacolor, Reeves and Conté á Paris.

Choosing and Using Sketching Pencils   A Brief History of the Graphite Pencil   Choosing and Using Art Charcoal

Colour Pencils

Watercolour Pencils

Pastel Pencils

Charcoal

Clutch Pencils

Mechanical Pencils

Graphite Pencils

Pencils refer to all drawing and sketching media that consist of pigment, charcoal or graphite mixed with a binder and contained within a wooden or plastic barrel. This section includes colour pencils, watercolour pencils and pastel pencils that can be used to render sketches, drawings, designs and illustrations.

What is the difference between colour and watercolour pencils? Colour pencils are pigment held in a waxy binder. Good quality colour pencils should transfer to the surface smoothly and can be blended either with gentle layering of colour or with a stump or tortillon. A watercolour pencil has a water-soluble binder that allows the colour to become a wash when applied to a wet surface or when a wash is applied with a wet brush.

What is a Tortillon? A Tortillon is a tightly rolled tube of paper or shaped paper pulp that is about the same size and shape as a crayon. Otherwise known as a stump, it is a blending tool for coloured pencils and pastels.

What is a Pastel Pencil? A Pastel Pencil is pigment held in a binder within a wooden pencil casing. The ratio of binder to pigment is slightly higher than in pastel sticks so the pencil maintains a point which can be sharpened and does not simply crumble as soon as it is in contact with the surface. Pastel Pencils are great for very detailed pastel work.