As an illustrator, I have hundreds of pencils and I judge my favorites mostly by how they feel against the paper. One of my favorite brands is Kimberly/General, which are cheap pencils sold at hobby stores, but they feel more buttery than some of the more expensive brands. My least favorite brand is Staedtler, which feel gritty against the paper. It really comes down to the tactile sensation, which is why I will never go digital!
I love pencils that can be sharpened to a fine point. I prefer a harder lead so my lines are subtle. My current favorite pencil is a Caran D’ Ache Swiss Wood pencil that is slightly heavier than most. For some reason my hand, mind and heart feel secure and open to just drawing; no judgement, the moment I pick the penci up. Happy drawing ! Grateful for PENCILS and paper!
I love all the writing implements people have listed. I suppose my favorite is the one I'm using in the moment. I can't wait to start foraging for pigment to make drawing tools.
I love mechanical pencils. My default these days is a Pentel P207 with a customized eraser tip, but I also zealously guard (and use) a complete set of Alvin Draft-Matics from .3mm to .9mm. HB leads always because I'm basic like that ;-)
My favorite drawing tools are the Pentel brush pen and the Sailor fountain pen with fude nib because, with these pens, I can get such a huge range of marks!
Ticonderoga pencils all the way (teacher here)!
As an illustrator, I have hundreds of pencils and I judge my favorites mostly by how they feel against the paper. One of my favorite brands is Kimberly/General, which are cheap pencils sold at hobby stores, but they feel more buttery than some of the more expensive brands. My least favorite brand is Staedtler, which feel gritty against the paper. It really comes down to the tactile sensation, which is why I will never go digital!
I love using Micron pens, black, size 08!
I love pencils that can be sharpened to a fine point. I prefer a harder lead so my lines are subtle. My current favorite pencil is a Caran D’ Ache Swiss Wood pencil that is slightly heavier than most. For some reason my hand, mind and heart feel secure and open to just drawing; no judgement, the moment I pick the penci up. Happy drawing ! Grateful for PENCILS and paper!
I loved reading this Ode to the Pencil. Thank you.
And I love 3x5 cards - heavy weight ones - to make collages, signs, watercolors, whatever...
I love all the writing implements people have listed. I suppose my favorite is the one I'm using in the moment. I can't wait to start foraging for pigment to make drawing tools.
Blackwing singing in the dead of night…Take these broken wings and learn to fly…
Blackwing Pearl my favorite - comes with eraser.
I’m fully a lead holder/mechanical pencil kind of gal… Recently my favorite’s been a Caran d’Ache 3mm Fixpencil with a 3B lead!
#2 pencils forever!! Especially Ticonderoga :)
I love mechanical pencils. My default these days is a Pentel P207 with a customized eraser tip, but I also zealously guard (and use) a complete set of Alvin Draft-Matics from .3mm to .9mm. HB leads always because I'm basic like that ;-)
I'm a 4B person always, it just is standard and classic, and then I like going over my lines with a Faber-Castell echo pigment in black, 0.3!
This was a beautiful tribute and I'm grateful to you for resharing these photos.
I love Ticonderoga pencils, Micron pens, and Sharpies.
YES to the beauty of pencils, that NYT essay, and Vija Celmins' ocean drawings!
My favorite drawing tools are the Pentel brush pen and the Sailor fountain pen with fude nib because, with these pens, I can get such a huge range of marks!
I love the smell of vintage pencils and also love using twigs and seed pods to draw with my kids.
Ticonderoga pencils and Pilot V5 blue pens for me :)