9INTRODUCTION
A pencil is a rod of graphite encased in a
soft wood such as cedar, about six or seven
inches long and exposed at one end.
Crude forms of graphite pencils were first
used as early as the 17th century. Before
this, rods of lead or silver (known as silver
point) were used as implements for
making drawings. The modern form of
lead or graphite pencil with its wooden
encasement first came into use about the
beginning of the 19th century.
The pencil fundamentally works by
pushing or pulling the lead end across the
surface fibres of the paper, which act as
graters, breaking up into small flakes.
Pressure on the pencil pushes the flakes of
lead into the fibres of the paper to leave a
mark or trace.
Graphite, a form of carbon, also known
as mineral black or plumbago, is the major
constituent of the modern pencil. The
softness or hardness of a pencil varies
depending on the amount of clay mixed
with the carbon. The softest varieties of
pencil contain little or no clay. Artists and
designers will use a range of pencils,
varying their choice according to the effect
they are trying to achieve.
As the graphite is worn away by use, it
can be repeatedly exposed. This is done by
the action of sharpening the pencil using a
purpose-made sharpener or blade.
Sharpening and exposing the graphite
should be regarded as an important act,
because how it is done changes the type of
mark you make with it. There are many
ways of sharpening. A particular point
produces a particular result. The artist
should experiment to discover what is
possible and how to make each type of
pencil meet his particular needs at any
given time.
The pencil can be used for a variety of
purposes and, as with any material you
use, you must be fully aware of its
potentials and its limitations - different
pencils and types are designed for
particular uses. In the ensuing chapter
some of these practices will be revealed
with particular relevance to the
appropriate pencil or graphite material.
The marks shown over the following
few pages give some idea of the wide range
of mark making possible. When you have
looked at them, take each of the pencils in
turn and see what marks you can make.
Apart from being very stimulating and a
way of opening your mind to new
possibilities with your drawing, you will
find it increases your ‘feel’ for the pencil
itself. As artists, what we feel through the
materials we use has an affect on what we
produce, and familiarity with those
materials is vital to a good outcome.Part One
THE PENCIL
The different types of pencil, graphite, erasers.