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Browse & Shop by Pencil Type

The world of pencils can seem a vast and confusing place to the uninitiated!  There are so many different types of pencil that do different jobs and have different effects and finishes.  All the time it is expanding as new and evermore innovative pencil products are brought to market by companies like Derwent Pencils and Caran D'Ache.

So how can we help?  Well we have grouped our pencils together in a 'By Pencil Type' section.  So if you know you want a Pastel Pencil but are not too sure what is out there just check out our Pastel Pencils section.  Maybe you want to try a 4B Graphite Pencil from across lots of ranges to compare them?  Easy, just use our Graphite Pencils section.

If you're not sure what pencil or type of pencil you need why not just browse around the sections, choose a pencil or two from types that take your fancy and give them a try, we're sure that you'll have lots of fun experimenting! 

We have tried to make sure that our By Pencil Type Sections are as comprehensive as possible and are adding to them constantly, so don't forget to check back to your favourite section from time to time to see what is new!

Exclusive P4A Selection Sets

Exclusive P4A Selection Sets

How do you describe a colour? Or a texture? When you need to find that ‘perfect brown’ or maybe something a ‘ bit waxier’ how can you make sure you have the pencil you really need?

Now you can take the guesswork out with our new P4A comparison sets. We are offering a unique mix of pencils across different ranges and manufacturers giving a fantastic opportunity to compare the relative qualities of several products

Paint Pans

Paint Pans

The deep rich colours that have been a hallmark of Derwent Pencils for many years are now available in half pan paint form. These water soluble blocks can be used in avariety of ways to suit whatever project you are working on. The colours mix beautifully and blend well, even when using different paint ranges. Unlike normal watercolour pans, these paints, when dry, can be layered on without the bottom colour being washed out.
Because singles are available you can update and create your own pallettes as colours run out. 

Permanent Colour Pencils

Permanent Colour Pencils

Permanent Colour Pencils have come a long way since they began around 150 years ago.  Choose from thin precise leads to soft smudgy leads and experiment with different techniques until you get the finish you want.
 
Watercolour Pencils

Watercolour Pencils

Watercolour pencils are among the most popular ranges of pencils for artists of all abilities.  Used dry they are normal colour pencils but add water with a brush or spritzer and the pigments will dissolve allowing you to create many different effects and washes.
 
 
Pastel Pencils

Pastel Pencils

Pastel Pencils provide all the beauty and versatility of a pastel combined with the precise detail of a pencil and none of the mess!
 
Skin Tone Pencils

Skin Tone Pencils

Skin Tone Pencils are usually selections from existing pencil ranges which are specifically for portraiture and sketching all shades of skin.  Available in permanent coloured pencils and also blendable pastel pencils.
Metallic Pens and Pencils

Metallic Pens and Pencils

Sometimes we all need a little sparkle in our lives!  find it here with our selections of metallic pens and pencils
Traditional Monochrome Sketching Pencils

Traditional Monochrome Sketching Pencils

Traditional Monochrome Sketching Pencils have been used by artists since the Renaissance.  Using traditional sanguines, sepias, blacks and white, these ranges are great for all types of life drawing, portraiture and general sketching.
 
 
Graphite Pencils & Crayons

Graphite Pencils & Crayons

All artists will at some point need a great range of Graphite Sketching Pencils, here at Pencils4artists we have a wide range of graphite and sketching pencils to suit everyone.
 
Watersoluble Graphite Pencils & Crayons

Watersoluble Graphite Pencils & Crayons

Graphite is the oldest and, argubly, the best loved sketching medium, but add a little water to our Watersoluble Graphite ranges and an exciting new world of line and wash sketching opens up.

click here for our top tips on using watersoluble graphite

Solid Graphite Lead Sticks

Solid Graphite Lead Sticks

Sticks of solid graphite are becoming increasingly popular due to the fact that because they are pure graphite they are much more economic than ordinary graphite pencils.  Use them with their point as you would an ordinary pencil or break and use on their sides us create large areas of shading.  There is even a watersoluble version available in Derwent's Graphitone range.
Propelling Pencils & Leads

Propelling Pencils & Leads

Propelling (or Automatic) Pencils are a great tool, not just for designers but for all artists.  These pencils tend to have fine leads for detailed work, which these days come in lots of grades including nice soft 3-4B type leads.  They also mean that you maintain the same comfortable hold at all times.  A great addition to any pencil collection.
Charcoal & Charcoal Pencils

Charcoal & Charcoal Pencils

Charcoal has been used for many years by artists to create pictures with drama and flair.  Charcoal Pencils are a relatively new phenomenon and combine the beauty of charcoal with the accuracy control of a pencil.
 
 
Pastels & Carres

Pastels & Carres

Soft Pastels have been hugely popular among artists for centuries, because of the versatility and adaptable nature.  In this section we also have Hard Pastels and the Conte Carres Crayons which have a little oil in their make up which makes them easy to layer up and overwork.
 
 
Artists' Powders

Artists' Powders

A brilliantly versatile product, you can mix theses pigment powders with water or binding agents and apply with brush, cloth or fingers.  Available in traditional sanguine and sepia as well as charcoal and graphite powders.
Brush Pens

Brush Pens

For centuries artists have used ink because of it's permanence, ability to cover and the fact that it can be combined with so many media in painting and drawing.  Brush pens are a relatively new phenomena which are a handy way to replace more traditional inks and brushes.  
 
 
Sketching Pens

Sketching Pens

Fine nibbed sketching pens are found in pretty much every artists' pencil case.  Use permanent ink pens under any kind of work to create definition or simply use to create beautiful ink drawings and sketches.  Available in black, sepia and sanguine as well as less traditional sketching colours. 
Colour Pens

Colour Pens

 
Colouring pens are used by all kinds of graphic artists, illustrators and designers to add blocks of vibrant colour to their work.  Our colour pens section includes pens with both permanent ink or blendable, watersoluble ink.  
 
 
Oil Pastels

Oil Pastels

Oil Pastels are a beautifully tactile medium which is ideal for larger scale paintings using vigorous strokes to build up a rich patina of waxy colour.  Can be diluted for blending with turps, or white spirit. As the pastel dissolves it takes on the properties of thinned oil paint. Once dry the area can be worked on with dry oil pastel to add texture or detail.  You can also use oil pastel with watercolour to create interesting textural effects by using it under washes.
Pencils4kids

Pencils4kids

Here at Pencils4artists we are aware that no one is too young to start drawing and sketching with good quality pencils.  Children who are given poor quality colour pencils often become discouraged by their drawing as the pictures appear too faint.  We have brought together several ranges of pencil that we consider great quality to help children really enjoy pencil art.
 
 
Industrial & Workman's Pencils

Industrial & Workman's Pencils

Pencils & Crayons have many industrial uses.  We have selected some of the most popular 'workman's pencils' for this section.  Including chinagraph pencils, marking crayons that will mark practically any surface and the popular Rexel Blackedge Carpeneter's pencil.