Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils

Comments about Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils:

I really like these pencils. I've used Tombow and Blackwing and those two were a favorite of mine. But, I'd have to say these just might beat them.
While drawing I get a smooth line that draws easily and does not seem to smear. Or very little. That is odd for me because the pencils I traditionally use to get a decent drawing do have some smear.
This is a clean line.
I found these a pleasure to draw with.

Comments about Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils:

An elderly lady (in her 90s) in our apartment complex, asked me to oreder this pencil for her. She uses it as an eyebrow pencil!

Comments about Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils:

I ordered 2 pencils (Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite 9B) - my art teacher requires those pencils in particular. They arrived in a box that was much too large. The pencils were together, in a small plastic sleeve, at the bottom of the box. The rest of the box was filled with large packing balloons (those linked-together bags of air that companies use for package filler, these days). There was no cushioning between the pencils and the bottom of the box. The first time I went to sharpen one of them, it became apparent that the leads were broken, inside the pencils. I'm hoping I might get some use out of them, but even if I can manage to get a point, the lead just falls out of the pencil as soon as I start to use it.

Comments about Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils:

I got these pencils because I wanted a really DARK B pencil. The 9B is intensely dark, almost like charcoal. I haven't started to work in charcoal because it's so messy. So this pencil works really well for me. I highly recommend it.

Comments about Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils:

Great pencils for artists! Low price and great quality!

Comments about Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils:

Just got these pencils today and LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVe them :D !! I have tried many other brands but this one has the best for fine art graphite pencils. With some of the other brands I was having trouble with the pencils scratching the paper, but with these I didn't have that problem.

Comments about Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils:

I agree with all the reviews praising these pencils, and I love them too! If anyone knows the optimal way to sharpen them, please post a suggestion. They are too soft for my electric which works for all other pencils. I am using a hand held and sharpening them manually which takes longer and stops the creative flow a little. However, it doesn't bring them down from the 5 stars.

Comments about Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils:

I normally just do not like or use pencils but I wanted to get a few of the softer ones for some journaling/multimedia work. Wow...they are incredible! Very rich, dark and they go onto the paper so effortlessly. I am ordering more of these and plan to use them oftener! It is actually pleasant to use a pencil, for the first time in my life. I got all soft ones and did not buy any of the harder pencils, so I cannot imagine what they are like but I'm sure if they are as wonderful as the soft, they are worth getting. Very glad I decided to try these and now I am totally spoiled! No regular pencils for me!

Comments about Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils:

Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils are as smooth as Staedtlers, but about 1 – 2 grades softer and darker in general, and are my favorite for drawing and sketching. On the other hand, Faber-Castell 9000s are much harder than Staedtlers, too hard for artistic drawing, IMO.

All pencils in this price range are good quality. Everything else is your preference, and won't make you a better or worse artist. Choose the one you like (soft/hard, dark/light), get the most out of it, and enjoy.

Comments about Cretacolor Fine Art Graphite Pencils:

My first pick when it comes to drawing pencils. Pretty hard to find. I prefer to use 4B's and darker, and they feel like butter. Lays down the graphite perfectly, no scratchiness at all.