Sketching Pencils

Sketching is all about being loose, free and easy and Derwent Sketching pencils couldn’t be easier to use; just 3 simple degrees HB, 2B and 4B, to cover all your drawing needs.

They have a wide strip so you can quickly rough-out a loose sketch, or capture a passing cloud before it disappears! Once you’ve done that you can sharpen your pencil to a fine point to add the all important detail to your drawing!

A wonderful choice for free style sketches and bold line drawings, allowing complete and spontaneous freedom of expression. The soft, extra wide graphite strip sweeps smoothly across the paper for a fast, even lay down of tone but is equally suitable for more detailed work. Derwent Sketching comes in three versatile degrees which blend together beautifully, creating subtle variations in tone and mood.

Available individually in grades HB, 2B and 4B, or in a set of 6.

Ten Top Tips - by Linda Stevens

1. Use the pencils on their side to create a softer coverage. The Sketching Pencils have a fatter core so are ideal for this.
2. Initially use your pencil lightly then press harder to create a light to dark tone.
3. Scrape pencil findings onto your paper using a sandpaper block. Rub over with your finger or paper stump to create a smoky effect.
4. You can also use a sandpaper block for shaping the tip of your pencil.
5. Try crosshatching; this builds up tone for shadows.
6. Lay a block of graphite down on the paper, scrape out a required design and then overlay with a darker pencil.
7. Make sure you keep a good long point on your pencil. The Derwent Superpoint Sharpener is ideal for this.
8. Touch the tip of the pencil lightly to paper and then drag it down so you produce thick and thin marks on your paper.
9. Try using your pencils on different paper surfaces for different results.
10. Using a battery eraser you can create the white of an eye by gently lifting the laid down pencil. Graphite is especially easy to remove if highlighting is required.

Watch the Video

In this video clip professional artist Fiona Peart uses the Derwent Pencil to sketch a horse. During the video Fiona demonstrates various techniques including hatching, cross-hatching and shading.

You can also download a project sheet, where Fiona will guide you through creating a landscape drawing.