Graphite & Charcoal

Graphite and charcoal are both traditional drawing materials - they can be used for quick sketches or detailed studies. Both graphite and charcoal are available in differing softnesses - the softer the material the darker the marks.

Graphite and charcoal are both traditional drawing materials - they can be used for quick sketches or detailed studies. Both graphite and charcoal are available in differing softnesses - the softer the material the darker the marks.

A Guide to Graphite and Charcoal

551 Items

Caran d'Ache : Grafstone : Graphite Pencils

Available in HB, 3B, and 6B

From £5.60

Faber Castell : Pitt : Compressed Charcoal

Available hard, medium, soft, and extra-soft

From £2.30

Derwent : Graphic Pencils

20 gradations available

From £1.40

Derwent : XL Charcoal

6 colours available

From £7.00

Staedtler : Lumograph Pencil

19 grades available, from 6H to 12B

From £1.60

Conté à Paris : Pierre Noire Pencils

Available in H, HB, B, 2B, and 3B

From £1.90

Conté à Paris : Graphite Pencils

Available in 3H, 2H, H, HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6B

From £2.00

Faber Castell : Pitt : Black Charocal Pencils

Available in hard, medium, and soft

From £2.20

Koh-I-Noor : Aquarell Graphite Pencil 8800

Available in 2B, 4B, and 6B

From £2.50

Koh-I-Noor : Toison d'Or Graphite Pencils 1900

Available in 12 grades of hardness from 2H to 8B

From £1.20

General Pencil Company : Charcoal Wrap Pencils

Available in 4B (soft), 2B (medium) and HB (hard)

From £2.90

Faber-Castell : Series 9000 Graphite Pencils

Available in 16 degress of hardness

From £1.50

Faber Castell : Graphite Aquarelle Pencils

Available in HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B

From £2.30

Faber Castell : Series 9000 Jumbo Pencils

Available in HB, 2B, 4B, 6B and 8B

From £2.50

Schmincke : Liquid Charcoal : 35ml

3 colours available in 35ml

From £12.40

Koh-I-Noor : Woodless Graphite Pencils 8911/8915

Available in 5 different soft grades (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B)

From £1.90

Conté à Paris : Graphite Leads

Available in HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B

From £3.10



Pencil & Drawing: Graphite vs. Charcoal

Pencil & Drawing: Graphite vs. Charcoal

What is the difference between graphite and charcoal? Graphite and charcoal are both carbon-based drawing materials that offer unique qualities for sketching and drawing.

Charcoal is matt and crumbly, perfect for rich, deep dark tones and expressive marks. Graphite is smooth and shiny, ideal for precise lines and metallic details. Tinted charcoal and graphite offer a hint of colour, while water-soluble graphite allows for another way to achieve a greater range of tones.

Understanding their formats and hardness can enhance your work. Wet graphite powder provides a neutral ground, while a carbon or charcoal pencil adds depth to graphite drawings. Hard graphite creates metallic details, while vine charcoal is excellent for outlining. Experimenting with these materials can solve creative challenges and diversify your practice.

Read 'The Difference Between Graphite and Charcoal’ on Jackson’s Art Blog.