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What is Drawing?

What do you think of when you think of drawing? Drawings can consist of lines, tone, form, colour, volume, smudges, hatching, or shading. They can possess the crisp accuracy of an architect’s plans in hard graphite or the expressiveness of an energetic life drawing in charcoal. Drawings can map out ideas, or be the idea itself. Because the term ‘drawing’ can encompass so much, it’ll come as no surprise that this department contains a wide variety of different drawing supplies. Whether you’re looking for hard graphite drawing pencils that deliver reliability and a strong unbreakable lead, or a vibrant lightfast watersoluble coloured pencil, we’re sure you’ll find the drawing tool you need.

The monochrome drama of the softest graphite and charcoal will never go out of fashion. As versatile as it is beautiful, graphite and charcoal are used by both expressive fine artists and those seeking precision, such as architects and designers. Charcoal sticks are made of specially charred willow or vine. They’re brittle, chalky, and the perfect medium for quickly laying down tone, and blending with your finger. Sharp crisp details can also be achieved. Soft graphite pencils (3B - 9B) are capable of expressive black marks, while harder H drawing pencils are perfect for crisp, neat faint drawn lines.

If you’re looking for colour, you’ll find it in the collections of wax-based coloured pencils, watercolour pencils and pastel pencils we sell. Coloured art pencils are used by professional artists, designers and illustrators alike, and are ideal for use in idea development and sketches.

There are different surfaces available to make your work look its best. The finest coloured pencils will glide over cartridge paper, and can be burnished and blended. Textured papers such as Ingres help vibrant pastel pencil colours sing (which is why it’s often used by Animal Portrait artists). Hardcover sketchbooks will help protect your drawings - a visual journal of your creative journey.

For intricate drawing techniques, why not explore silverpoint, favoured by the greatest Renaissance draughtsmen, or the mechanical practicality of a clutch pencil.

Pencil Finder | Guide to Pencils | Guide to Drawing