How This One Pencil Could Transform Your Drawings

[@quinn0110]

Graphite is naturally shiny medium, so I think you have to embrace and accept its characteristics if you decided to use graphite. Kirsty's Do's and Dont's video are the reason behind my improvement (plus consistent practice), after 2 years of practice I can proudly say that I can draw a realistic portrait now. Thanks to your videos Kirsty! I always recommend this channel whenever I'm ask where I learned. Keep posting and guiding aspiring artist!

[@quinn0110]

This is my improvement. Keep on practicing! instagram.com/p/CbAcpPWvrko/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[@tasticola]

I looked at your work. Amazing improvements! Well done.

[@arielmoore4233]

I checked out your work. It’s fantastic!

[@cutebirbs3851]

Same! Kirsty is the best Artist I have ever seen!.....And no one can beat her in teaching drawing!

[@paulwoodford6229]

I personally like the graphite shine. Makes the medium more unique. I just dislike the smudging aspect of graphite

[@amyxx4218]

There are also new faber Castell graphites (Matt) that have a 14 B pencil, so they go very dark, too

[@Lavanyas_art]

Have you tried those pencils, do they don't reflect?

[@cocolinabt]

@@Lavanyas_art They reflect WAY less

[@amyxx4218]

@@Lavanyas_art yes I have tried them. They do shine a little , but definitely a lot less than normal graphites

[@wanderlustaesthete4117]

@@cocolinabt I second that

[@lindatannock]

Thanks! I might give them a try! I'm already using Faber-Castell Goldfaber Graphite pencils.

[@jimmygarcia3068]

I'm 65 n artist all my life.....thanks to you I've learned so much ......what the teachers taught me in the 70s is nothing what I've seen in ur channel

[@businessfiles5497]

Thank you for all the time you put into , making these videos for all your fans.

[@josephwalsh7546]

I've used the Prismacolor black colored pencil with graphite instead of Faber Castel. It works fine !

[@theantichrist4267]

Really nice drawing , and your right that drawing pencil, did do a much better job then any of the graphite pencils do .

[@OrganizeCreateDecorate]

While I love to draw myself, I really enjoy watching you draw. Your work is always inspiring! Thank you for all the time you put into making these videos for us.

[@margotelizabeth7900]

To reduce that shine is one solid reason to use this pencil, but there is NO doubt that using it totally adds to the quality of the work in its light and dark tones. I love it. I’ve been receiving some nasty injections and I’m not finished apparently, I’m just hoping I can get back to sitting and drawing again. I’m feeling a desperate need to be creative and I’ve got story pictures lining up in my mind’s eye. Thank you Kirsty. Thank ou very much for all your amazing videos, my creative urges are really surging as a result of watching. I’ve got a selection of papers and pencils and a rubber but I need to get that fine tipped black one you have recommended. I can see its value. Margot New Zealand

[@GTsunnyD]

Staedtler Mars Black Lumograph works great as well!

[@carlosdanielcontrera4452]

I really love your drawings, you are an excellent teacher, I love seeing all your art and your drawings really inspire me

[@a.w.faber-castellaustriagm7307]

Beautiful work, Kirsty! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoy working with the Polychromos pencils.

[@FineArtforChrist]

You always have such great tips and advice. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@asiyadraws]

I'm quite a beginner when it comes to graphite pencil drawings 😄 Loving this vid already ✨

[@muddoesart]

wow the timing of this video is insane. i literally just got addicted to graphite drawings😆

[@maryriley6163]

Lovely drawing! Thank you for this demonstration, what a stunning effect the black shading has. At last a solution for shading without the graphite shine.

[@deborahpark7953]

Absolutely amazing and thanks for sharing and I am going to go back to a graphite drawing and add the polychromos black. Thanks

[@sinsitysinderella790]

That's stunning, it gives the illusion of charcoal, without the mess! I'm wondering about the potential of utilizing some of the neutral greys as well...

[@drtaverner]

I used to be able to buy EE pencils which were a charcoal, graphite blend and they were GORGEOUS. No shine, great tones, but also the strength of graphite to give beautiful fine lines w/o the crumble of charcoal. Sadly, I cannot source them any longer.

[@LaRaArtUnlimited]

Only recently I familiarised myself with charcoal pencils, and I must say that i prefer them over graphite.. I love the rich blackness of charcoal.. it's such a pleasure to work with them..

[@lanalanik9709]

The black colored pencil really made it more real. I’ve been trying to reach someone through email with you. Is that email still good?

[@LaRaArtUnlimited]

@@lanalanik9709 if you're addressing me, then yes, that email id is still good

[@tonjabalden6742]

Me too! I like to use charcoal pencil and graphite pencil.

[@binithacb6078]

Thank you so much Your tips always helped me

[@VictorLonmo]

Great video Kirsty! I started drawing a couple of years ago soon after the pandemic began. I am improving but I still struggle to draw hair well. Your skill in using very light and very dark tones while keeping the drawing very realistic is quite impressive... I have a black Polychromos but usually use the Staedtler Mars Black pencils when I want a good black shade. I did my own little comparison of black pencils with Staedtler Graphite 8B, Steadtler Black 6B, Polychromos Black, Staedtler charcoal 6B and Lyra Rembrandt Black Pastel pencil. The graphite is dark gray and shiny. The Staedtler black is noticeably darker and less shiny. I found the Polychromos black to be a bit lighter then the Steadtler black and a bit more shiny. The charcoal had no shine and is quite dark but it crumbles easily leaving charcoal dust. Additionally, it is messy. Surprisingly, the Rembrandt was darker than the charcoal and just as flat (ie no shine at all.) It is like the charcoal in that it crumbles and it is messy but not as bad as the charcoal. All that said, the Polychromos and the Staedtler black are just easier to use than the charcoal or Lyra pastel black. Kirsty's results clearly show that the Polychromos provides excellent results in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing.

[@fanofthefollowing]

Wow, thank you! I'd never considered using black colored pencil on top of pencil. I'm going to have to try this.

[@cutebirbs3851]

I used normal wax based faber castell black pencil...and i was really surprised to see that it WORKS!

[@pettiestbettyart]

Funny, I just got a book from my library about this very technique... "The Two Pencil Method" by Mark Crilley, it's nice getting to see it in action though 🥰

[@stevehampton9146]

I found this same technic myself by trying the Polychromos black pencil and it changed the game completely !! I will testify that everything your saying is true. Excellent video demonstration !!! Thank you for sharing your technics !!! You have helped my art tremendously.

[@anthonygreene8418]

I am definitely looking to try this technique..thank you for sharing!!

[@helenmccormick1982]

Very nice portrait. Thank you for sharing. Beautiful pencil lines & highlights.

[@Psyicman]

Kristy have you tried a Faber-Castell 8b aquarelle. Just add a little water and it’s the darkest you will ever get without switching to a colored pencil. Also when you add water it goes completely matt.

[@christreanor6637]

I use Steadler Mars lumogragh black. More like a normal graphite pencil and almost zero shine. Worth every penny!

[@barbarabrafford7102]

The hair on this drawing is so beautiful!

[@yollexart]

Absolutely incredible ❤ thank you for sharing your skills and talents ☺️💕

[@megaart333]

The best channel to teach and improve the level for you all the support, Prof

[@dianeo]

Such good information! Thank you. I'm curious to try my other black colored pencils as well as my Polychromos to see how they compare.

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Kirsty, I wonder if you have tried the Carbon pencils? I like Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black, Carbon pencils they get very black! I know others who have used charcoal for their blacks in their graphite drawings but I find them so messy! Your polychromos technique looks wonderful and I will give it a try on my next graphite drawing! Thanks for the amazing videos!

[@greekveteran2715]

I like more, the Faber Castell Matt Graphite,they get up to 14B. As much as I respect Staedtler, their pencils are nowhere near close, to the precision and overall quality of the Faber Castell pencils. Matt Graphite, eliminate the only single advantage, that the Staedtlers used to have and that's the darkness of black. These are not the best pencils for begginers, but it doesn't take long to get used to them, they're jsut different but the super high quality of Faber Castell is there and you notice it imedeatelly.

[@danielrivard2485]

I have tried the black colored pencil with graphite. A good advantage of this is you can get away with not spraying it with fixative. I do prefer mixing graphite with charcoal pencils, though.

[@amyspetpawtraits4184]

Hi Kirsty, I was just wondering do you plan to do any pastel videos anytime soon? Brilliant video by the way!😊

[@JamieBoots]

If you are having a problem getting dark tone from graphite it may be down to the paper, StCuthberts Saunders Waterford and Arches Aquerelle both take dark tome very well. With graphite it is a combination of paper and pencil that create the best result.

[@Emvisoor]

You are a very good drawer girl, i love all your tips!!! Thank you very much!!

[@catherinevernet5103]

Thank you Kristy for sharing. I didn’t try this way yet but I definitely will 😃

[@leeleeliquor6448]

I have tried it and got the Faber Castell graphite aquarelle which are super great

[@alir7197]

hi kristy from iran your video is very good for learning painting and english language too

[@sarikasketchart]

Am also doin graphite drawing jus right now😍

[@tamilouduplechin7927]

Stunning! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 gotta try this!! Thank you.

[@victorjohndsilvajr1196]

Thank you ma'am

[@jonugrohoart]

Thanks Kirsty for this video. It's really help for me. 🙏

[@MS-qd6bm]

Beautiful artwork. 😊

[@varunv2665]

Please do the unboxing and review of Derwent Academy colour pencils

[@cliveangelaedwards8854]

Very interesting and I shall look forward to trying out the technique... I do prefer the drawing before you inserted the white highlights... I think they were rather over done but very useful... 😊😍

[@jimcorbett3764]

Thanks for the tips!

[@sricharcoalworks]

Your technique s and way you teach we love it ❤️❤️😜😻 Kirsty the besty🌹

[@JoeB_BSc]

If I recall correctly the 14B pencils are in the Castell 9000, rather than the Faber-Castell graphie pencils in matte. But these two are available together from Jacksons Art Shop, London, for about £25 including postage in my opinion, as I ordered them after watching your video. Thanks for sharing makes.

[@faisalchan510]

Thank you for the new tips ❤️

[@amberali4166]

so beautiful sketching very excellent

[@howtodraw4836]

Kirsty can you Do a video about choosing reference photos . I was trying to draw a realistic drawing using a reference photo I had but it was so hard to draw from as it had so many shadows and stuff . I don’t know what do to do .

[@dire67]

That's gorgeous. I'll be getting a set soon.

[@suzannebrighton932]

Wow, that’s amazing

[@WCA113]

I Enjoy all your videos thank you

[@art.by.eddyeule1023]

I completely swiched to the Faber Castell Pitt Graphite Matt Pencils. They are almost black, Go up to 14 B an have next to no shine

[@ladyinblack3398]

Have you used the new Faber Castell graphite matte? And the Staedtler Lumograph black? The Staedtler Lumograph black is a hybrid graphite carbon pencil. Pitch black. In the US there is also a Kimberly graphite in9B but its more like a carbon pencil. A nd also a Prismacolor black graphite pencil Then there are slso the french Conte Noir pencils. Get a hold of those and you are set. .

[@johnjones928]

It also depends on what brand pencils you use, some have 8B as a mid grade and go as high as 12B. Personally I blend in charcoal pencil if I need to go darker than the 9B Pentalic woodless I draw with.

[@masayoART]

Thanks for your content

[@arnarts1105]

THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING ME!!!

[@ahadart231]

I have prisma colour black pencils & faber cestell 9000 graphite pencils. Can I apply on it ?

[@frosinone7841]

Just wooooouw. Grazie 😇

[@fuzzydragons]

that hair is so wonderfully done!😍 graphite was my broke butt's first art supply love lol

[@ArtsyEnigma]

Would like to know how you get such creative references. I spend in finding one😖

[@fangchick93]

I'd really love to see what you could do with the crayola colours of the world coloured pencil set, it blends really well and is really good for animal pieces

[@lynkodefo2716]

Are these drawing tutorials done from photographs? Do any of you commenting reading /commenting on this video draw from photographs or memory? Thank you for posting! This drawing is beautiful. Kristy you are very talented!

[@larryglatt2548]

I learned that the Staedtler #s 8 & 9 have no shine and that another pencil artist suggests Prismacolor color pencils have more clay thus sealing the graphite. I've give both these a try & agree, but then I am no expert.

[@CajunPride777]

Beautiful 👍

[@madamlaurieg2969]

Prisms Ebony works as well.

[@linzebrandon]

A good option is the Steadtler Lumograph Black pencils - they are black, and made from carbon not graphite, so no shine and don't smear like charcoal.

[@haripriya3170]

Fantastic drawing

[@xras66]

a little advice: if the carbon does not lie on the strongly pressed graphite, put it lightly with alcohol and the graphite will dissolve. After that, the black charcoal will lie down easily.

[@Robert-xp4ii]

I have to say, I haven't tried every brand but recently saw a 50% off sale at Hobby Lobby for Masters Touch and Fine Touch brands. I bought both but was/am amazed by how smooth and rich the Fine Touch pencils were. Sometimes, a pencil will suddenly feel like there's a tiny piece of sand in the graphite and it's awful! I can't say I've wore the set down yet but the lead has been consistently smooth so far. I've only tried the Masters touch pencils once but didn't get the same warm and fuzzy feeling with them. They're smooth but I can't exactly put my finger on the difference yet. Maybe they aren't as soft but I do know it's a very small difference. I previously only drew with charcoal pencils and may just go back to them. I hate the glare you get with any graphite pencil. I do like the huge value range though so we'll see. I won't be stopping next week or anything like that. My biggest problem is, I can't just draw. I may go a few years without feeling inspired enough to draw and that simply won't allow me to ever learn much farther than I've already come. I do enjoy your work though.

[@itsarezoo]

Such great tips!

[@sahirahvasquez6211]

I get where you're coming from! But my favorite pencil for non-shiney graphite drawings are the Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black pencils! They're so good. They’re a mix between graphite and carbon. Edit- I said charcoal instead of carbon haha

[@Grodd10]

Thoughts on charcoal pencils?

[@sactownj6559]

Self portrait?🤔 thanks for all the great tips 🙌🏽👏🏾

[@buttonuk]

Hi Kirsty, thanks for this tip. What sharpener do you find best for graphite and Polychromos color pencils?

[@prachi6522]

Hey Kirsty! Could u do a drawing of any BTS member with color pencils and watercolor as base with the tips and tricks u used?

[@artzexpo3341]

Love the drawing❣

[@demetduzgit5496]

Amazing Art work thanks 💖🐾

[@fionaforrest4976]

I made the mistake of trying to add black pencil on top of graphite. I was using Caran d’ache, which is better over graphite than the faber-castell polychromo. Don’t even bother with faber-castell Pitt graphite, as it doesn’t blend well over ordinary graphite (lovely on their own with limited reflection though). But what I’ve just realised puts all of those in the shade, if you are working on top of graphite, is the Derwent drawing pencil in Ivory black. I recommend you try that one in place of the polychromo.

[@ShilasSpellboundCreations]

I recently started doing this! I'm curious why charcoal won't go over graphite though?

[@SabineLeppanen_Art]

Shila, the graphite covers the paper with a slick, shiny layer that resists the powdery soft charcoal.

[@sappier_7007]

I love your content so much

[@moirab2506]

Kirsty.....Did you work from a photograph and if so could you link it as I would love to try !! Many thanks.

[@xras66]

Chinese charcoal Maries also works well.

[@shemaymeb]

I love my faber castell polychromos. So much so that I will not get rid of them until they are nothing but a nub😂. My son thought because it was like an inch and a half long it was trash and I went and fished it out the trash, cleaned it off w/ Clorox wipe and explained to show me the art supplies before putting them in the trash😂 not to mention how expensive they are but my pencils are truly treasured to me

[@lia1b74]

Can you do another video series on facial expressions and drawing faces realisticly in the right proportions from a reference photo even with practice m ine never look the way i want it unless i use charcoal copy paper for the proportions??!!! Pls help

[@konouzelsherbiney1688]

Please can you post a video on how to draw curly hair with pencil colours

[@SukhdevSingh-gl6xe]

Shes so beautiful

[@uncleatelier8495]

it's amazing and amazing drawing skills ~~~ ^^💛👍👍👍

[@BerserkGriffon]

I thought you were going to talk about the new faber castell graphitte matte, we have them here in Brazil, are they no available internationaly ?

[@jackiesidman6464]

XD I'm currently doing a drawing that uses marker pen and colored pencil together and it looks sooo good (edit was adding the d in good cuz I forgot it)

[@katarzynabrodzinska_art]

What paper did you use? 2:25 minute

[@DaRealSlimDavie]

Hi Kirsty Where do you buy your prismacolour coloured pencils? I want to buy them but I am worried i will get fake or broken ones. I also live in the uk. what website do you use for those pencils? I bought your course a while back & I'm just getting started on it.

[@dbest5178]

Have you tried the mars lumograph carbon pencils

[@peekay585]

Kirsty , when is your next video?

[@sacheearts]

Please may I know what paper you are using😊