Pencils & Pencil Sharpeners

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  • Learn More About Pencils & Pencil Sharpeners

    Unleash your inner artist and start creating your very own masterpiece with pencils from the sellers on Etsy. If you’re dipping your toes into the expansive waters of art pencils for the first time, check out these popular types that can bring your illustrations to life:


    • Color pencils: Infuse drawings with a rainbow of hues by snagging a set of colored pencils. Shops on Etsy have a range of colored pencils, from basic beginner packs to expert-level sets that showcase dozens of different tones.
    • Sketching pencils: The most traditional kind of pencil featuring that recognizable gray color are graphite pencils. Graphite is most commonly used in sketching pencils as it’s easy to shade with, can be erased, and layers beautifully to create a realistic depth. When searching for different kinds of graphite pencils for sketching, keep an eye on the grade, as that will determine how light or dark your marks will be.
    • Charcoal pencils: Give an ethereal look to drawings with charcoal pencils. They are easily smudged, which creates a dreamy appearance and a harmonious contrast to sharp, heavy lines. Make sure you’re confident with each stroke, as charcoal pencils don’t erase very well.
    • Mechanical pencils: For an always-sharp tip, opt for a mechanical pencil. Just pop in some lead, press the top to feed it through, and you’ll never have to sharpen a pencil again. The one downside to mechanical pencils is that since the lead is thinner, it’s more brittle than traditional pencils and can break more easily.
    • Watercolor pencils: Soften up the look of your masterpiece with watercolor pencils. Although they look like regular colored pencils, they dissolve when water is added to them. Once you’re finished drawing, use a wet paintbrush to shade areas, blend colors, and accentuate wispy lines. They’re a great transitional medium if you want to get a feel for painting but prefer to take things gradually.
    • Chalk pencils: Often used by sewists and pattern makers since you can easily brush their marks away, chalk pencils also make an excellent choice for creative kids that don’t know where their piece of paper ends and the carpet begins.
    • Custom pencils: Spoil your favorite teacher with a practical and thoughtful end-of-year gift with some custom pencils. Give them a personalized pencil with their last name stamped in gold or a funny phrase related to their subject that’ll make them smile every time they use it.

    Many drawing pencils come with a grade that determines their hardness and darkness. For example, H determines how hard a pencil is, while B tells you how black the actual graphite is. H pencils are more dense but contain less graphite, so they’ll leave lighter lines. B pencils, however, are much softer and contain more graphite, which means they’ll produce darker marks on paper.


    Both pencils also have a secondary number classification that ranges from 2 through 8, with the higher numbers being softer and darker for B and lighter and harder for H. The lower numbers are more moderate in their respective letter characteristics.

    Now that you know exactly what kind of pencils you need to make your drawing a reality, you’ll want to snag a pencil sharpener to keep them in tip-top shape. A sharpener will make sure your pencil points are as precise as possible. Many shops on Etsy also offer vintage pencil sharpeners that bring a nostalgic sense of creativity to your craft room. A pencil case is also often recommended as they help protect against dings and drops, which can eventually lead to your pencil’s inner core breaking.