Onyx

Feeling moody? Look no further, Onyx is the blackest pencil made by Derwent!

The Derwent Onyx pencil is made from smooth dark graphite and allows you to instantly create dense rich jet-black tones, even darker than a Graphic 9B. The Derwent Onyx pencil is equally good for quick expressive sketches as well as detailed technical and architectural drawings. If you require really deep tones these can be built up by applying increased pressure. Less pressure will achieve lighter tones ideal for more precise work. It is available in two tones, Medium and Dark.

Great on its own for drawing really moody pictures or use it with other graphite media like Graphic or Sketching pencils to add dense shade and tone.

Derwent manufacture this pencil in two tones, medium and dark, but it is easy to build up darker shades if you need them by increasing the pressure. The wide strip can be easily sharpened and will hold a fine point, perfect for capturing the detail in drawings!

Available individually, and in medium and dark tones.

Ten Top Tips - By Kathryn Barstow

1. There are two shades in the Onyx range; Dark and Medium. Keep the dark one blunt for shading and the medium one sharp for details.
2. Create a tonal range for each pencil by increasing pressure gradually. This will give you some idea how much pressure is needed to achieve each tone.
3. Rotate the pencil between your fingers when drawing to maintain a point on the pencil.
4. Don’t go too dark too soon. The Onyx pencil may indent the paper when pressure is applied and it will be more difficult to erase if you make a mistake.
5. Choose your paper carefully. A rough paper will give instant texture.
6. Use a paper stump to blend and smooth out lines or blur shading.
7. When drawing fur use a flick or a rocking stroke. Always work in the direction of fur growth and the length of the strokes should represent the length of the fur
8. Vary the pressure applied to the pencil to introduce some variation in tone.
9. Use small circular strokes to create texture and smooth out with a paper stump for smoother tonal shading.
10. To prevent smudging put a piece of paper over your work on which to rest your hand.

Watch the Video

In this video clip professional artist Fiona Peart uses Derwent Natural Graphite to complete a drawing of a house. During the clip Fiona shows various techniques including blocking, shading and using the flat of the pencil. 

You can also download a project sheet, where Kathryn Barstow will guide you through creating a drawing of some cows.