Sketch Book for the Artist

PLANTS

AND

GARDENS

Graphite and Erasers

GRAPHITE, FROM THE GREEK word graphein

(to write), is a soft and brittle carbon. It was

first mined in Cumbria, England, in 1564,

and was initially used in small, pure pieces

bound in lengths of string. Pencils as we

know them—with their slender wood casing

and "lead" of graphite—were invented in

France in 1794 by Nicolas-Jaques Conte. He

discovered that milled graphite mixed with

clay and water, press-molded, and baked to

a high temperature produces a harder and

paler medium than graphite alone.

Modern pencils are graded from 9H (hard

and pale) to 9B (black and soft). Graphite-

clay sticks are also available, together with

a powder form. All possess a natural sheen

and are erasable to a varying degree.

Graphite drawings smudge easily, so

fixative, a form of varnish, can be used

to hold a drawn surface in place. It is

applied as a fine mist from an aerosol can,

or from a bottle using a diffuser. For the

beginner, ordinary hairspray is an effective

and cheaper alternative.

USING GRAPHITE

This drawing illustrates a range

of marks and tones that can be

achieved with graphite pencils

of different grades.

3B pencil A range of mark and textures

can be achieved with a 3B pencil when

you vary its pressure, speed, and direction,

as this detail shows.

MATERIALS

Here is a selection of 14 items to illustrate a basic range of

pencils, graphite sticks, sharpeners, erasers, and fixative.

4. AND 5. MECHANICAL PENCIL
   Thick or fine leads are made in a range
   of grades. They are particularly useful
   because they do not require a sharpener


5. AND 2. HB AND 3B PENCILS:
   It is unnecessary to possess every
   grade of pencil. HB, the central and
   most common grade, is perfect for
   making delicate lines. 3B gives a blacker
   tone. A great variety of effects can be
   achieved with just these two.


6. ROUND SOLID GRAPHITE PENCIL:
   Excellent for large-scale drawing,
   producing thick bold lines. A range of
   grades can be honed with a craft knife
   or sharpener

HB and 5B Layers of tone have been built

up with HB and 5B pencils. Softer pencils

require less pressure to make a mark,

revealing the texture of the paper surface. It

is important to keep the point of the pencil

sharp with either a craft knife or a sharpener.

3. WATER-SOLUBLE PENCIL
   Effective for atmospheric drawing, but be
   aware of how watery tones can dull
   the impact of the line. 7. THICK GRAPHITE STICK:
   For large-scale drawing. Graded soft,
   medium, and hard. It crushes to produce
   graphite powder


4. SQUARE GRAPHITE STICK:
   Useful for making broad, sweeping marks
   in large-scale drawing. If worn and rounded,
   the stick can be snapped into pieces to
   regain the sharp, square end.


5. CRAFT KNIFE AND BLADES:
   Handles are sold in two sizes to fit large
   or small blades, and blades are sold in a
   range of shapes. Perfect for sharpening
   pencils to a long point, to cut lines in
   paper or to remove areas.


6. PENCIL SHARPENER:
   Makes a uniform point. Keep one
   in your pocket for drawing outside
   the studio, together with an envelope
   for shavings.