We may be biased, but there is a unique beauty to pencil drawing that the everyday writing pen doesn’t match. Usually painted in a cheerful color and embossed with her name and grade, she cuts an eye-catching figure in her art box. Of course, you can’t judge a drawing pen (only) by its beauty. They come in a variety of grades: B pencils have more graphite in them, so they form soft, dark marks, while H pencils have more clay, which provides solid, sharper lines. A good drawing set will include a range of grades that transition smoothly from one to the other. Before that, look for first-class options to get a good start to drawing and crafting.
1. Faber-Castell Graphite Sketch Wood Pencil Set
The Castell 9000 pencil has a reputation and a long history: allegedly shot by Count Alexander von Faber-Castell back in 1905. Loved for all the right reasons—smooth lead, even transitions, and consistent woody casing—pencils are staples in many studios. Hardened pencils avoid scratching thanks to finely milled graphite and clay, and even the softest pencils hold a point for a long time. This set of dozens of pencils comes in an elegant green case, with grades 8B to 2H. And if some of the pencils in your set wear out more quickly than others, you can buy a 9000 pencil of any hardness separately.
2. Staedtler Mars Lumograph Pencils
The average painter probably won’t need the extended range of values that Staedtler provides, from 12B to 10H hardened, but the serious artist will appreciate that Staedtler has pencils that are softer and stiffer than most other high-quality lines. These pens are sturdy, consistent, and smooth, and the hexagonal barrel prevents them from rolling off tables.
3. Prismacolor Premier Drawing Pens Turquoise Graphite
This line of Prismacolor pencils is known for its smooth mark-making and ease of erasing. It shows up very well on vellum paper, making it a favorite for crafting and design work. Graphite, which leaves a brilliantly shiny streak, also won’t show up once you’ve marked it over. We’re also fans of the sturdy core, which doesn’t crumble and is a breeze to be sharpened. This set comes with 12 pencils in grades 4B to 6H to take you through your drawings from start to finish.
4. General Kimberly Graphite Pencil Set
For a durable and reliable assembly, this US-made option should not be overlooked. The pencils feature a dense silane graphite core and a cedarwood cap treated to withstand a great deal of pressure – perfect for those just beginning their journey with graphite. The softest pencils are dark and strong, and all resist the shine that some graphite pencils can have. In addition, the tags are easy to erase. This set comes with pencils in grades 8B to 4H, a sharpener, and a latex-free eraser.
5. Koh-I-Noor Progresso Woodless Graphite Pencil Set
Woodless pencils are just a lead core – usually thicker than those of your standard pencil – coated with a protective varnish. They offer a number of advantages over wooden pencils – you get more product so your pencils will last longer, and because more lead is exposed, these are excellent tools for shading. It is also said to be better for the environment, as it saves trees. However, they have one significant drawback when compared to wooden pencils: since they lack a shock-absorbing casing, they are more fragile. In other words, these pencils may not be ideal for your travel bag. To stay in the studio, Koh-I-Noor’s Progresso pencils are our favorite because they use high-density graphite that applies silky to the page and sets pigment without scratching. This set comes with 12 pencils, with two each of HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B, and 9B.
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