When To Use Those Pencils

There are SO many pencils in sets you buy? These are my general guidelines for using the different hardness of pencils.
Learn more in my Drawing Basics course at www.proko.com/drawing
#drawing #howtodraw #shorts #pencils

[@seanking4351]

HB is the standard No. 2 pencil btw

[@alyssadacookie2320]

tysm i was just about to ask about it

[@C.C.Mousse]

If it’s the standard then why “no.2”?

[@palashchoudhury5565]

Whn i was in Nursery, i used HB bcz they r Strong From KG 2 to Class 4, i used 2B bcz they r Smooth Now i want 2 Write wit 4B Xtra Thick Triangle Pencil Bcz they r Xtra Smooth & Dark

[@ODDiSEE_]

​@@C.C.Mousse it's a hardness scale strong for graphite.

[@dh4444]

@@C.C.MousseAmerican scale for hardness of graphite is #1-4 instead of B HB F H used globally

[@phredbookley183]

Single pencil answer is 2B? Dang man. All those teachers WANTED me to draw in class...

[@C.C.Mousse]

Why?

[@palashchoudhury5565]

Whn i was in Nursery, i used HB bcz they r Strong From KG 2 to Class 4, i used 2B bcz they r Smooth Now i want 2 Write wit 4B Xtra Thick Triangle Pencil Bcz they r Xtra Smooth & Dark

[@tklove7908]

​@@palashchoudhury5565the amount of short forms in your comment......... 😶😅

[@palashchoudhury5565]

Thanks. My Pleasure

[@cloudwalker679]

@@C.C.Moussebecause most regular pencil we got(at least where i live) are all 2B.

[@milkii_tea]

**puts my mechanical pencil away slowly**

[@3npitsu992]

Puts 6H pencil slowly away

[@lycanoregaming8443]

​@@3npitsu992 *puts my ball pen slowly*

[@afasimpaur]

If you are a person who **really** likes an extremely sharp point on your pencil, mechanical pencils are great. It is possible to get mechanical pencil leads in different harnesses for most diameter mechanicals. I'm a big fan of 2mm clutch type mechanical pencils. I recently got a 5.6mm clutch for shading.

[@alejandroc7357]

*puts crayon away slowly*

[@orchdork775]

Hey, there are plenty of artists that sketch with a mechanical pencil! There are even special types of lead for artists so you can get hard and soft leads to get different darknesses You can even get different diameters of mechanical pencil so you have the option of using a very thin and precise lead, or a really thick lead that covers more area and has a softer effect. I personally have a 2mm mechanical pencil which is really nice to sketch with, but you can also get a 5.6mm one that is very useful for large and expressive sketches. The smallest is 0.3mm which can get some really small details. The 5.6mm leads come in charcoal, hard pastel, graphite, oil pencil and other pencil mediums! So mechanical pencils are actually a professional art tool, even the really cheap ones you'd get in the office supply section of the store. I know this was a joke, but I still thought it was worth saying that you don't need expensive artist pencils and supplies to create awesome drawings.

[@thatteenthere]

If get bored enough sometimes I’ll use a 13b pencil writes like butter. But it’s not necessary.

[@rukitotheunknown2198]

Me who just uses a single random pencil- ohh, i see, thanks

[@sladlover]

Same

[@maximumdinosaur]

This is so helpful 😭 I'm absolutely going to forget though

[@afasimpaur]

All you need to remember is that the pencil leads can do much of the work for you. Pressing hard with your pencils increases your fatigue as you draw. A hard lead (higher numbers in the H range) will give you fainter lines which is great for under sketches. A really soft lead (higher numbers in the B range) will give you very dark lines with minimal pressure on the paper. The softer the lead, the more it will smudge on the paper and the more difficult it is to erase.

[@prismapen_art]

Very useful. When I am drawing I never know which pencils to use.

[@gretch23yearsago74]

Living the 5B life over here,, I run those pencils down so fast🤣

[@mg8642]

Maybe just move to charcoal 😅

[@matchaaalie]

Same for me, 5B is hands down the best pencil. Sometimes I use 3B or 7B as well, but nothing beats 5B

[@ItsLapsha]

I only ever use 8B. Sketching, shading, doesn't matter as long as u can control it

[@dio9579]

Thx proko sensei

[@andyArt5]

My 9b is a stump while all others are still mostly whole! It’s because I actually shade a lot with a mechanical pencil, until I need something super dark.

[@PyroFTB]

I wish there was an 8B lead refill for mechanical pencils, 4B is the only one I could buy.

[@xX_swagger_Xx]

These are the exact same pens i use!

[@sushisea]

Yea I seen those graphite pencil packs with like 10 shades but it always seemed excessive to me. I have a 2H, HB, 4B, and 8B. I use a lead pencil too

[@YusufKhan786]

4B is my go to single pencil. Proko always makes me doubt my art choices😂

[@shirin8609]

Get off the internet.

[@masterklep]

Only when my wrist got pain I finally appreciate 4B and 6B pencils!

[@havenautart]

4H was my go to starter for a long time but I find that I scratch the softer paper attempting to go just a bit darker 2h may be the way to go. I like the lightness of the 4H but you do have to change quickly.

[@gavinclyde8208]

I’m gonna stick with mechanical pencil for now and I will try them out

[@karribies]

2Bs are awesome!! I use them in school as well. Maybe that's why the drawings I drew behind the question papers we were handed turned out so good.

[@vlogsfromaddy]

I have so I love using very dark ones, I think the Artist’sLoft erasers are amazing as well!

[@J4themperor]

Grab a full graphite set. I use the same bolds as you, but I go up to 8b. 2h is the best for sketching, light.

[@treewatcher4620]

you might think I am crazy but I love to shade with only a 4H pencil and maybe use a HB for occlusion shadows. I feel like I have much more control over the values that way...

[@ProkoTV]

Nothing wrong with that!

[@kevinhardy8997]

I like the harder 4H and up for lightly sketching a drawing for later use with pencil crayons or paintings

[@daryl365]

My preference is a 4B as a go-to. Nice to see another artist's take

[@BrianEX2023]

Me: "Pencils are pencils!"

[@rohitvarma6308]

I always use 8b or 10b for sketch and also for final rendering

[@PyroFTB]

Me too, I love darker lead

[@popesens_gecko2582]

I have asked that qestion alot after beying a set of coul pensil tax 😁

[@TheMischievousOtter]

I used a 2b pencil from my hotel room in the sketchbook and I loved the look better than my HB so imma keep it lol

[@maxineoliver7404]

I appreciate that, thanks!👍🤗

[@B-Meister]

I typically just use five of them. * 3B is visibly the most used one *

[@stupidtookmynick]

you know you've been seeing too much drama over a certain wizarding game when instead of a pear you see a wizard hat.....

[@skye3606]

bruh i didn’t actually notice that it’s a pear until i read this comment lmao

[@youraveragerussiansanta3810]

Unnecessary drama*

[@chiragart2tech974]

Amazing

[@xavierweston-kearney727]

I typically ony draw with a 6h or 5h pencil, bc i like to focus on using line to create depth, it definitely helps when i come in with ink later

[@Julian-Russel]

He clearly uses 2b more often since it's the shortest one he got

[@hanna.debreczi]

Once I drew a huge swirl using 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B and 8B pencils and colored the whole A2 sheet with them

[@gameseeker6307]

i just use my 2b and press harder or less

[@Irfan32406]

I'll just buy the whole pack, cuz I really like shading and I'm currently learning impressionism

[@broskiibean]

The way i remember which pencil does what is H is code for hard and B is for brittle and the number beside them is just a multiplier. 2B is darker than H but 4B would be darker than 2B.

[@artworkbyjenma]

Awesome tips 😊 nice work

[@mossinvasion]

Usually i use H, HB, B and 2B

[@georgechasidy5547]

I haven't used H pencils, but i only use 4 pencils HB ,2B ,3B,4B the most convenient one's

[@joshuaonda1971]

When I travel I only bring Staedtler Mechanical Pencil 2.0 and a Sketchbook for my art supplies also blending stump.

[@shitsmith9877]

Why didn't you show 3B on the most used, while it's clearly the shortest?

[@Emmachristina_923]

*slowly grabs a HB pencil instead of using a 2B pencil*

[@shirin8609]

yikes

[@sun9_9]

I just use whatever comes in my hand

[@teacupanimates]

my one pencil carry is a 2b, but at home i have a mars lumograph set

[@crafterioman]

I always use to hb even for my best sketch

[@inc6732]

I just use HB

[@hananbenayad1042]

I have a HB 2 pencil

[@l_ghtbulb3059]

I use the different ones when the one I normally use breaks

[@ProkoTV]

That's an okay way to do it! haha

[@greekveteran2715]

LOL That's a writers perspective lol

[@jatraveousyoung9521]

I thank you for this to tell the truth I mostly like using HB pencils to sketch and shade

[@greekveteran2715]

You can't call α shade "a shade", when you only use HB. When we're shading a sketch/drawing, we usually use 4B at least, to either add depth, or create shadows etc. HB is used as demonstrated on this video. Beginners most common mistake, is to only use hard pencils with very light tones and thus no depth or values on the final result,

[@woodhousii2445]

I use a 4h for sketching and basic shading, i just really really like sublities

[@Akilla02]

I just.. I just.. I just use pressure...

[@JailanSimon]

NOTED

[@Pinc_Magik]

Thank you

[@aetherwolves]

4H is good for watercolour sketches - easier to rub out and doesn’t leave marks

[@braincells1785]

TSA aiming their guns at me because i dared to bring 2 pencils through airport security:

[@ansh781]

I generally use 6h and 4b

[@mg8642]

2B is the pencil I always have with me, it's the one that needs replacing well before the others.

[@Rikisballs]

I like either a 6B or an 8B

[@LoveBystroem]

Kings stick to blackwing 602. Does it all with superb pen-to-paper feel.

[@officiallya.i.trooper]

Sometimes I have to shift to charcoal because even the 10B looks light at that point

[@palashchoudhury5565]

I ve used 2B, 4B, 6B & 8B

[@SweetChib]

I mostly just limit my pencils to HB, 2B and 6B 😅

[@kxnd9361]

i usually use 3, the HB, 2B and 4B to draw

[@mufl598]

thanks man

[@slushie3061]

The sketch is flipping at us

[@jvogler_art4708]

My dude drew a robot pear

[@anveshnidumolu3679]

For decade only pencil I used was natraj 3HB

[@kamrankambang7953]

Im a realism artist. Trust me, all you need is 2b and 8b. Just press the 8b lightly if you want lighter shade.,

[@ncm2738]

2b or not 2b that is the question

[@humanofthehumanoids]

8B Is really great

[@Irish_Mann]

I just use a regular HB

[@ProkoTV]

Solid way to do it!

[@orchdork775]

I recently got a 2mm mechanical pencil from Mr. Pen (a very affordable brand) that included some colored lead and some 2b lead, but I find the 2b lead behaves more like an H lead and barely has any variation in depth when using different amounts of pressure which is really limiting and frustrating. I want to buy some higher quality lead to use, so I was wondering you all like to use so I could get some recommendations!

[@sallgoodman2323]

I'm on the same search too, my lead holder only came with HB's. I have to order online

[@felix-elias4857]

I personally do my sketching and very light shade with F, lineart, if any, and main features with HB, then work my way up from there. Thanks for this video!! Any pencils you could recommend?

[@ProkoTV]

I actually have a whole list of the art supplies I like most currently in the notes of the lesson below. Way more than just the pencils. www.proko.com/materials3

[@criscat1750]

I used a 5b strictly cause it feels the best for me. But i dont do studies and mostly just sketch from imagination.

[@fgrey-]

For me it's: First Sketch -> 2H Second, slightly more confident sketch -> 4B Lineart n shit -> brush pen or black ballpoint pen

[@singleman1]

you can try 8B 😅

[@REN11603]

When sketching i use an 8b or higher for outline

[@artbyantony]

I use everything

[@meanguy8863]

I use only 2. 2b and 6b

[@Crow23346]

Me who uses 6b for everything cuz I hate how hb feels and looks so thin on the page and makes it really hard to comfortably sketch anything

[@pedroafonso7065]

6B all the way

[@lesavdesabonnes]

I also use 3 sizes of tips/thickness Critérium: 0,2mm-2H, 0,5mm-HB, 2mm-2B Pencils: 2H, HB, 4B, 8B Square sticks: 2H, HB, 4B, 8B The Round sticks (like pencil without wood / all in graphite) are a good compromise between standard pencils and Square sticks. I use it with my critérium (mechanical pencils) for travel

[@namanienie123]

Bros being fancy with that progreso pencil

[@tdlplay8009]

There is 8b too

[@razorrex2663]

The question at the end is 2b or not 2b

[@cha_hoe]

Me: JUST USE ANYTHING.

[@Theknightman-wg1dz]

I use one pencil

[@maryckhkaidze5867]

I am only using 7b

[@LzzyPlayz]

Me who draws with a one classic pencil-

[@nelethegerman89]

Have a 2H which is way harder than any H pencil I've ever seen so I guess: all pencils are different and some are just more useful than others

[@tdlplay8009]

Thi is helpful but I will forget it 😢

[@arminnadeem3771]

Me who uses one pencil for sketching, shading, thick lines etc:

[@alanramirez5906]

Clearly this is a Nier Automata reference

[@Invisibli_ty]

im too lazy so i just use my pencils that have those spiderman covers as sketch and no. 2 pencils for shade💀

[@Blurp3]

I love 2B, 4B, and 6B! But I really wanna try 7-14B's! I don't really like the H's...

[@kayzahn9356]

I only use one😅

[@andeverytimewekiss]

also B pencils are going to blend and smooth out a lot better than H pencils, so if you need something clean and easy to erase go with H. And if you need something that’s going to blend out and stuff go with a B! (its obvious i only use H pencils, i’m a little oblivious)

[@raidaridi5375]

"2B is to do. To do is 2B"

[@dilushamda]

me using only a one pencil 😂

[@whitemanfacts8005]

I’m using only 4B 8B

[@tacticslc4805]

Mechanical pencil is good too for traveling ! I wonder what’s the equivalent of it in terms of range of darkness etc.. is it like a 2b?