Pencil Techniques

(Pencil Sketch of Howard, by the Author) There are countless ways to use pencils and graphite sticks in drawing. Naturally, you want to use methods and techniques you are comfortable with. For naturalistic drawing, showing contours, light, shadow, and such, use a soft pencil (a 4B or 6B is soft and dark). Keep a pencil sharpener handy. Use hatching and cross-hatching to build tones from light to medium and finally to dark (Fig. 2). Avoid too much reliance on outlining to show form. Notice that Howard’s ribs are not outlined–the shading defines the ribs. His ear and face don’t rely on outlines either. The simple outline that appears on the front edge of his face and follows the shadow along his cheek, simply helps to define the tonal area; the image would work perfectly well without those light sketching lines (Fig. 1). Another aspect of this illustration is the use of a thin eraser used to break up edges and knock down shading. The technique is to use a fairly hard eraser with a good edge (such as a Pink Pearl), and then to hatch or cross-hatch with the eraser, removing the pencil in controlled areas.

Above Left: Hatching and cross-hatching. Above Right: A variety of typical graphite drawing tools including a) single edge razor blade, b) Magic Rub eraser, c) sandpaper pad, d) flat graphite stick, e) flat sketching pencil, f) woodless graphite pencil, g) drawing pencils, h) pencil lengthener.

Sketch primarily using side of pencil and a variety of strokes to create texture and interest. Patterns produced by the pencil are part of the styling here, however pencil is sometimes used to create very smooth, subtle tonal transitions that result in an almost photographic effect. (c) 2010, Mike Daymon