Page 54 - sarah-simblet_sketch-book-for-the-artist

PLANTS AND GARDENS54 USING GRAPHITE

Graphite and Erasers This drawing illustrates a range
of
GRAPHITE, FROM THE GREEK word graphein Modern pencils are graded from 9H (hard
achieved with graphite pencils
(to write), is a soft and brittle carbon. It was and pale) to 9B (black and soft). Graphite- of different grades.
first mined in Cumbria, England, in 1 5 6 4 , clay sticks are also available, together with
3B pencil A range of mark and textures
and was initially used in small, pure pieces a powder form. All possess a natural sheen can be achieved with a 3B pencil when
you vary its pressure, speed, and direction,
bound in lengths of string. Pencils as we and are erasable to a varying degree. as this detail shows.

know them—with their slender wood casing Graphite drawings smudge easily, so

and "lead" of graphite—were invented in fixative, a form of varnish, can be used

France in 1794 by Nicolas-Jaques Conte. He to hold a drawn surface in place. It is

discovered that milled graphite mixed with applied as a fine mist from an aerosol can,

clay and water, press-molded, and baked to or from a bottle using a diffuser. For the

a high temperature produces a harder and beginner, ordinary hairspray is an effective

paler medium than graphite alone. and cheaper alternative.

MATERIALS

Here is a selection of 14 items to illustrate a basic range of
pencils, graphite sticks, sharpeners, erasers, and fixative.

1. AND 2. HB AND 3B PENCILS: 4. AND 5. MECHANICAL PENCIL HB and 5B Layers of tone have been built
It is unnecessary to possess every Thick or fine leads are made in a range up withHBand5Bpencils. Softer pencils
grade of pencil. HB, the central and of grades.They are particularly useful require less pressure to make a mark,
most common grade, is perfect for because they do not require a sharpener revealing the texture of the paper surface. It
making delicate lines. 3B gives a blacker is important to keep the point of the pencil
tone. A great variety of effects can be 6. ROUND SOLID GRAPHITE PENCIL: sharp with either a craft knife or a sharpener.
achieved with just these two. Excellent for large-scale drawing,
producing thick bold lines. A range of
3. WATER-SOLUBLE PENCIL grades can be honed with a craft knife
Effective for atmospheric drawing, but be or sharpener
aware of how watery tones can dull
the impact of the line. 7. THICK GRAPHITE STICK:
For large-scale drawing. Graded soft,
medium, and hard. It crushes to produce
graphite powder

8. SQUARE GRAPHITE STICK:
Useful for making broad, sweeping marks
in large-scale drawing. If worn and rounded,
the stick can be snapped into pieces to
regain the sharp, square end.

9. CRAFT KNIFE AND BLADES:
Handles are sold in two sizes to fit large
or small blades, and blades are sold in a
range of shapes. Perfect for sharpening
pencils to a long point, to cut lines in
paper or to remove areas.

10. PENCIL SHARPENER:
Makes a uniform point. Keep one
in your pocket for drawing outside
the studio, together with an envelope
for shavings.