No matter what stage you are in the creative process, at one point or another, you’ll need a pencil. If you are wondering what are the best drawing pencils for you, this will depend on a lot of factors. For example, what kind of project you are doing to your art style.
Even with drawing tablets around, there are still artists who prefer to use pencils. Others also combine traditional and digital art by scanning pencil art and then manipulating it on a computer afterward. If you are looking for a good pencil, we’ve listed charcoal, lead, mechanical, colored pencils, and more for you to choose from.
1. Best Pencils for Drawing and Shading: Staedtler Mars Lumograph
The Staedtler name has been a prominent one in the pencil industry, with roots dating back to as early as 1662. It is one of the oldest industrial brands in Germany and to this day continues to deliver artist-grade pencils and other artistic tools. You can expect the same level of quality from the Staedtler Mars Lumograph as with other products from the German brand.
With 24 pencils of different graded degrees, the Staedtler Mars Lumograph is perfect for sketching and drawing projects. You can get an amazing range of opacity, lightness and darkness, from 12B to 10H.
The graphite pencils of the Staedtler Mars Lumograph are bonded, so they are break-resistant. The actual lead sticks to the shaft so even when you sharpen the pencil, it won’t break off easily. This set comes neatly packaged in a durable tin case.
2. Best Mechanical Drawing Pencils: Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth
Founded in 1790 in Austria, Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth is one of the world’s oldest stationery companies. Throughout the centuries, it has innovated in the writing instrument industry, delivering the yellow pencil and machine-made pencils. It’s no surprise that the brand has also branched out to mechanical pencils.
The Koh-I-Noor Mechanical pencil is able to hold lead sized 5.6mm x 80mm. The metal barrel makes it easy to control the lead when drawing or sketching.
This lead holder also comes with helpful features, including a sharpener that is built into the holder’s cap (this can be unscrewed if you want to remove it). Koh-I-Noor Mechanical lead holder also has a built-in metal clip.
3. Best Colored Pencils for Drawing: Faber-Castell
The Goldfaber color pencils from Faber-Castell have a wax-based core that delivers highly-pigmented hues. This 48-color set comes in a reusable tin. With a secural bonding process, these color pencils have a high break resistance.
When it comes to performance, you can expect amazing quality from Faber-Castell’s Goldfaber color pencils. The laydown of colors is soft and vibrant. What’s more, your artwork with these color pencils will be resistant to smudges, water, and light.
*Splurge Option: Faber-Castell Polychromos Box Set*
If you’ve got a larger budget for color pencils, do check out Faber-Castell’s Polychromos set. You’ll get 120 color pencils in a handsome wood box. They deliver bright colors, thanks to acid-free pigments.
When you use the Faber-Castell Polychromos color pencils, your artwork will have high lightfastness and be water-resistant plus smudge-proof. Even if you hold on to pencils a little too tight, don’t worry as the tips are break-resistant.
4. Best Colored Pencils for Realistic Drawing: Marco Renior Fine Art
Get 100 oil-based color pencils from Marco Renoir. This set comes in a neatly packaged tin case with different levels. Plus, it also has sharpeners. With a soft core, the pencils deliver vivid and bright colors.
When you use the Marco Renoir Colored Pencils, laydown is pretty smooth. It’s also easy to color evenly onto paper. Blending colors is also easy with these pencils.
5. Best Graphite Pencils for Drawing: Tombow MONO
Tombow has been producing pencils in Japan as early as 1913. To this day, the company continues to provide high-quality writing instruments, not just in Japan, but also in other Asian countries, Europe, and the US as well.
The MONO brand was launched in the 1960s, delivering high-density graphite pencils and the iconic eraser in the iconic tri-colored sleeve. You’ll get amazing quality with the Tombow MONO Drawing Pencil Set.
This set comes with 12 drawing pencils with different degrees (6B to 4H) as well as a MONO eraser and a sharpener. These hard cedarwood pencils are extra-refined. With the lead core perfectly in the center of the pencil, you can expect it to resist breaking, even when sharpening.
*Splurge Option: Caran D’ache Graphite Line Set*
Caran D’ache is known for its excellent-quality art and writing tools. The Graphite Line Set is no exception from the Swiss brand. It’s got everything you need for sketching, such as Technalo pencils that are water-soluble, Grafwood pencils, and graphite blocks.
All of the pencils in the set have a hexagonal barrel for better grip. There’s also a blending stump and an eraser. To keep your pencils pointy, there’s a magnesium sharpener, a sharpening plate for cedar wood, and sandpaper strips.
6. Best Lead Pencils for Drawing: Mitsubishi Uni Lead Holder Pencil
Don’t get confused by the name, the Mitsubishi Pencil Company, established in 1887, is not related to the vehicle company of the same name. The Mitsubishi Uni Lead Holder Pencil is an excellent option if you aren’t into pens but not into pencils that dwindle in size either.
With the Mitsubishi Uni Lead Holder Pencil, you simply need to replace the lead once it’s gone. There’s no need for sharpening and you never have to see wooden shavings. Just don’t forget the lead refill!
7. Best Charcoal Pencils for Drawing: Derwent Charcoal Pencils
Charcoal is an excellent medium for sketching but, let’s face it, it gets messy. That’s where the Derwent Charcoal Pencils come in. With a charcoal pencil, you can simply sharpen it with a sharpener without getting your hands dirty as opposed to sticks.
The laydown of the Derwent Charcoal Pencils is smooth. You also won’t have any trouble with blending. The Derwent brand has roots in the 1800s, producing some of the finest pencils in the world.
With this set from Derwent, you’ll be getting 6 charcoal pencils in light, medium, and dark as well as a white tinted charcoal pencil. You’ll also get a sharpener and a tin case for the pencils.
8. Best Pencils for Portrait Drawing: Palomino Blackwing 602
The pencil with a cult following—the Palomino Blackwing 602. This aesthetically-pleasing pencil can do more than just look great. There’s a reason why animators keep using it as well as other big names in the arts and entertainment industry. (There’s even an animator who was buried with a Blackwing).
The Blackwing 602 is made from Japanese graphite and California Incense-cedar. It has a smooth laydown and doesn’t require much pressure to produce color. Its iconic look is finished off with a unique ferrule with an eraser that can be replaced or extended.
9. Best Cheap Drawing Pencils: Peter Pauper Press Studio Series
If you are just starting out on your drawing journey, the Peter Pauper Press Studio Series is a good set to begin with. It’s got all of the essentials without breaking the bank.
The Peter Pauper Press Studio Series comes with 12 graphite pencils (5H-8B) and a sketching pencil plus a 2-hole sharpener. There are also charcoal pencils and sticks and graphite sticks in soft, medium, and hard. For any mistakes, there’s a plastic eraser as well as a kneaded eraser.
Best Drawing Pencils: Final Thoughts
When it comes to drawing pencils, it’s best to stick to the classics or well-known brands. Now, which kind will depend on your drawing techniques or the media you use.
Did you enjoy our tips on the best drawing pencils? Then be sure to check out our other buying guides, such as the best paper for colored pencils, the best diamond painting kits! Thanks for reading!