Sharpeners

[animal]

I was wondering if the hand sharpeners are better than electric sharpeners. I have both ones, but I like both of them http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[billyg]

Hey animal,
Some people like razor blades and some craft knives,whatever turns you on man. Just so you get a good length of lead to work with,and a good point when required.
Billyg

[arcitect]

Knife and sandpaper.

------------------
<FONT size="1"> Judy's Ensemble Choir (http://www.zenapolae.com/judy-choir) </FONT s>

[windex]

Presuming you're working with graphite or charcoal pencils, I prefer razor blade and sandpaper. I've found that whittling down the wood to expose about 1/2 inch of lead/charcoal/conte and then tapering that with sandpaper gives me a few advantages over using a sharpener: the point is sharper, you can replenish the point quickly with a couple of hits on the sandpaper block, you have a nice long side of the point to use for thicker lines or for modeling, and they break less easily.

I know that it's a matter of opinion, but my experience has been that the main advantage of sharpeners is that they're easier if you're feeling lazy. But that doesn't help your drawing, in the end.

[sassybird]

I also use a knife and sand paper for most of my drawing pencils and colored pencils. I get more out of them that way. I do have some woodless watercolor pencils that I use a hand sharpener with. I save the shavings and sprinkle them on wet paper, or spritz them with water on dry paper. Those are about the only pencils I use a sharpener for though.

------------------
sass

[nancymae]

I have to agree with the masses....knife and sandpaper!! I love the knife because it is such a theraputic motion...cutting away the wood from the pencil. Even the strokes seem to "come alive" after I have sharpened with a knife. (I do realize though that the "come alive" part is due to the varied surfaces you can achieve with knife sharpening). It is true that your leads do not break as easily...and the point stays sharper longer. And I LOVE the varing marks you can make!!

I love to use the knife while sketching outdoors. It gives me the time to ponder over the view...and really look at my subject...(as long as I don't cut off my finger!!!)

Happy drawing!!

Nancy

[LDianeJohnson]

animal,
As others have mentioned, use an x-acto knife to sharpen when necessary, then use a sand block/paper when you need a sharper point. Using a knife minimizes loss of pencil. Using a pencil sharpener uses up your pencil faster and is more costly over time. And using a knife gives you more control over whether you want a rounder or pointier tip.
Diane

[animal]

Thanks for all your comments.I think I`ll keep using my electric and handheld for now until I can learn how to use a razorblade http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/cool.gif

[sue ellen]

i am going against the masses here. i like the electric sharpner. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif i don’t know why i just like the point i can get. It chews the pencil up fast but i like it. When i am working outside i use a hand sharpener.

sue ellen

[arlene]

I'm lazy and use an electric sharpener. I've learned when to stop to keep the waste to a minimum.

------------------
http://www.artdebut.com/arlene0.htm (http://www.artdebut.com/arlene.htm)

[CkA]

How about an electric knife?


cindy