The 14 Different Types of Pencils Every Drawing Set Needs

Have you ever wondered where pencils come from? Or how graphite was really discovered, leading to the development of numerous kinds and types of pencils that are currently available?

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If you must know, modern pencils owe a great deal to an ancient writing instrument that belonged to the Romans back called a Stylus. Stylus is basically a thin metal rod that was used by the Scribes to leave a light readable mark on papyrus, which was a form of paper used in those times.

However, the history of the ever-evolving pencils doesn’t stop there.

Then came the widespread use of graphite after a huge graphite deposit was discovered in Borrowdale, England in the 1560s. Graphite started being greatly appreciated for being really dark, darker than lead.

However, it proved to be really brittle and soft and required a proper holder for one to be able to contain it.

Initially, graphite sticks were properly wrapped in strings, and later, these graphite sticks were presented in wood-cases, giving birth to the very first wood-cased pencil.

Basically, the graphite was inserted in wooden sticks that were hollowed out. So it looked like sticks of graphite were being enclosed within similar-shaped wood cases or coverings.

According to history, the first-ever pencils were mass-produced in Germany in 1662, making it the birthplace of these pencils.

Soon enough, companies like Faber-Castell and Steadtler came into existence, forming an active global pencil industry that continued to develop throughout the period of the 19^th Century Industrial Revolution.

Ever since the pencil industry began to flourish, different types and kinds of pencils were discovered and were categorized according to their hardness levels and the amount of black color they were able to produce.

They were also split in terms of how light or dark they were, as well as how heavy or light their lead was.

Different Types of Pencils Used for Drawing

The following are the main categories of pencils that are still being used in modern times. 

In the pencil list below, you will find:

• Types of pencils used for sketching and shading
• Listed grade of pencils and its applications
• Pencil names and pictures

Types of Pencils Chart

B Pencil Types

These pencils contain darker lines compared to ‘H’ and ‘F’ however; they are easily erasable without any effort being put in. While some people may use them for note-taking purposes, they are excellent for doodling and sketching, as well.

The darkness of ‘B’ pencils comes from the fact that they are softer, hence, they leave more graphite on paper.

1. 8B

This type of pencil is extremely dark and comes out as the darkest of grays on paper. It is best used for drawing and sketching purposes since it makes very dark and prominent marks that end up sticking out on a page.

2. 7B

Almost similar to 8B, this type of pencil is also great for art-related purposes. It gives off a very dark gray shade that sticks to the paper and makes drawings look great on paper.

3. 6B

This pencil is best for those who like to draw, and it is particularly meant for adding dark values to your drawing pieces. This is also a great option for creating portraits where you would want to achieve realistic textures like skin, fur or fabric.

4. 5B

This pencil produces a darker mark than the ones after it and is quite softer than a 2B pencil for example. This is because the higher number of B that a pencil is, the softer the pencil will be.

5. 4B

The 4B pencil is slightly lighter than the ones before it and is also an excellent choice for sketching and drawing purposes. Anyone with an aptitude for art and drawing will definitely enjoy using this pencil.

6. 3B

This pencil is more like a mix of dark and light but is more towards a lighter gray. It is an ideal option for those who like their drawings to contain light values with slight shades of dark gray.

7. 2B

The 2B pencil is best for medium to dark shading and provides a good range of tone or value from light to a dark shade. It is commonly used for art purposes, especially drawing, shading and sketching.

8. HB

This pencil falls in the exact middle of the pencil lead scale. HB is a significantly hard pencil, making it a reasonably hard pencil even for drawing purposes.

The ‘H’ refers to the hardness of the pencil, and the letter ‘B’ is used to denote the blackness of the particular pencil’s mark.

9. F

‘F’ stands for fine point. This pencil, compared to the others is slightly harder. While it is certainly easier than a few to keep sharp, it is way too dark for general and everyday drawing.

H Pencil Types

In this case, ‘H’ refers to the hardness of the pencil. This is to say that the higher the value of H a pencil has, the harder its lead will be. And the harder the lead is, the lightest the pencil will be.

The ‘H’ pencils are generally very hard, and they are able to hold a tip in place, ensuring extreme precision. They also make light lines that can be erased with great ease and convenience so one can easily use these pencils to design products or write things on paper.

10. 2H

This pencil type is great for any technical work that involves making lines that are easily erasable. This is particularly because 2H contains a very light amount of lead. It is also a great option for those who just begun to draw and wish to add very light shades to their drawing.

11. 3H

3H is an extremely light shade of gray that leaves a very light imprint on paper. It can be a great choice for sketches where you need to add light shades or slightly fill in the empty spaces with a pencil.

12. 4H

This is an excellent choice of pencil for light, fine and even shading. It is more towards the gray side and less shiny because of the amount of clay it contains. It is also easier to keep sharp so can be easily used for shading and sketching.

13. 5H

This type of pencil helps create the darkest and the thinnest of lines, given its hardness levels. This happens because it falls towards the end of the “H” or hardness scale, hence, giving a hard touch. It is a great option particularly for those who are into drawing and sketching and wish to draw dark and think lines.

14. 6H

This is a top-quality graphite pencil that is primarily designed for the purpose of sketching, writing, and drawing. It is an ideal pencil for artistic and technical applications.

Keeping in mind the hardness rule, it gives maximum hardness with the darkest and thinnest look on paper.

Isn’t it so strange yet fascinating how even something so small like a pencil has such a great history and story behind it?

Now that you know all about pencils, which one will you be using for your drawing and sketching?

Related: How to Sharpen a Carpenter Pencil

FAQs

Why are pencils hexagonal?

The hexagonal shape is similar to a cylinder and teaches those learning how to write proper pen-holding practices. It is also very comfortable to hold pencils in this shape for longer periods of time. 

Are colored pencils erasable?

Yes, you are able to erase marks made by a colored pencil, it just required a different type of eraser than a standard one used for pencil lead. 

Can you recycle mechanical pencils?

Depending on the material of your mechanical pencil will determine whether it is recyclable. If it is made of 100 percent plastic, then it is not, but if it is made of a metal frame and parts, then it can be recycled.

Why pencils are not used in space?

Lead can easily break off and if it is not caught in time, it could be dangerous to the equipment or the astronaut themselves. If these pieces of lead get lodged in equipment, they could cause it to stop operating and cause technical issues within the spacecraft that could be fatal.

Why do pencils have erasers?

In the event that you make an error when writing or drawing with a pencil, you can erase it and start over with your eraser. Putting erasers on the pencils means you do not have to carry around a separate eraser. 

What kind of pencils do artists use?

The pencils that are used by experienced artists are charcoal pencils and give the perfect black tone that is needed in sketches and other designs. These charcoal pencils have been a long part of art history and are used by some of the best artists known. 

Which pencils are used for drawing?

If you are looking to do some artwork, but not necessarily an artist, you want to use the B-type pencils because they do not smudge and they manage the lines well, helping define them in the portrait. 

Which pencils are darker?

The darker the B-grade the darker the pencil. Currently, you can choose from a 9B or 9XXB style pencil in some brands to get the darkest tone available when drawing. There is close to black ink and has less of those gray tones. 

Do pencils work underwater?

If you have something to write on that is sturdy and the lead will show up, you can write underneath the water with a pencil. It would have to be some type of wood surface that can stand being submerged and then come up to the surface where you can read it. 

How long will pencils last?

The quality of a pencil allows it to outlast other writing utensils, lasting up to 100 years. This is provided the pencil has been in an environment away from other chemicals or excess moisture that would rot the wood around the lead.

It takes approximately a century for lead to break down and not be able to be used further.

Will pencils become obsolete?

While pencils are not being used nearly as much as they once were, there will always be some small need to have a pencil around.

There will be places and areas where technology is not available or does not work, and you will need to be able to use basic writing skills for record and possibly communicating.