I’m in a drawing period; I haven’t touched a brush for three weeks. The drawings serve as designs for paintings, not standalone drawings. The paintings are my typical size, 40″ x 54.” So, I’ve used a lot of pencils lately.
A pencil is a pencil is a pencil, right? Sure, you have to pay attention to the lead’s hardness–H or B scale–but that’s it, right? I’m not using colored pencils or fat leads–just pencils.
In response to my cavalier attitude toward pencil quality, a friend suggested I try pencils made by the Japanese company, Tombow.
I followed his suggestion and bought a box of HBs. The Tombow pencils are the best pencils I’ve ever used. The Tombows handle smoothly and with exacting precision. I love drawing and with the Tombows I don’t want to stop and put down my pencil. I like these pencils so much, I ordered an assortment of them.
They are a little expensive for pencils (my box of HBs was $11) but cheap compared to the prices of other art supplies.
Highly recommended.
(In case you’re interested, this review is not sponsored.)
Hi,
I’m also in a drawing phase (or should I say, relearning to draw, maybe).
I’ve tried many pencils recently. So far my favorites are;
– Faber Castell 9000 (they also have a “giant” version). Their Pitt line is also interesting but haven’t used those nearly as much.
– Mitsubishi hi-uni
– Caran D’ache Grafwood
Ive been recommended the Staedler Lumograph line as well as the Koh In Nor but seem to keep gravitating to one of the above sets.
I’ve heard the Monos are nice, I’ll have to check them out.
I haven’t used the Caran D’arche pencils, and it’s been a long time since I used Faber Castell. I have some of the Mitshbishis and I prefer the Tombows. although the Mitsubishi pencils are good too.