Blick Art Materials
06-29-2011, 03:09 PM
Pencil Hardness Scale
Illustration is arguably the fundamental step to any artistic endeavor. Regardless of the intended use of the original drawing, jotting a thought down on paper gives one a concrete, visual reference for further work studies. Pencil leads are offered in a number of hardnesses to provide artists a range for contour, blendability, and detail. The hardness scale is rated as 9H being the firmest to 9B being the softest. Pencils with “H” ratings are best used for fine line detail, where a crisp, precise line is necessary. “H” leads produce a soft stroke, which do not smudge freely. Because “B” rated pencils are much softer, they produce a dark, richly intense pencil stroke that lends itself well to blending. Using a combination of pencils is ideal for many illustrators to achieve an accomplished drawing, Architectural and engineering layouts may be better served with firm pencils, while a sculptor looking to quickly sketch an expressive idea may opt for a soft lead pencil.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-drawing-pencils/ (http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-drawing-pencils/)
FAQs:
What ingredients change the hardness rating of a pencil?
Graphite pencil lead basically consists of graphite (crystallized carbon) ground with clay and water into a dough consistency, which is then pressed through extruders before being encased in the wooden barrel. The H rated pencil leads have more clay content to them as compared to the B rated pencils, which have less clay content.
What rating is a #2 pencil?
Commonly assumed a #2 pencil had a lead hardness rating of 2B, the origin of this pencil was an office-type pencil, which used numerical notations at the end of each pencil. A #2 pencil is closest to the HB rating. However, ratings are not universal and vendors may deem their 2B rating as a #2 pencil.
-Kristal F.
Product Information Specialist
For further assistance using art supplies, feel welcome to contact our Product Information Department at
1-800-933-2542 or e-mail us at info@dickblick.com (info@dickblick.com). Hours of operation: M-F, 8:00am-5:30pm CST.
Illustration is arguably the fundamental step to any artistic endeavor. Regardless of the intended use of the original drawing, jotting a thought down on paper gives one a concrete, visual reference for further work studies. Pencil leads are offered in a number of hardnesses to provide artists a range for contour, blendability, and detail. The hardness scale is rated as 9H being the firmest to 9B being the softest. Pencils with “H” ratings are best used for fine line detail, where a crisp, precise line is necessary. “H” leads produce a soft stroke, which do not smudge freely. Because “B” rated pencils are much softer, they produce a dark, richly intense pencil stroke that lends itself well to blending. Using a combination of pencils is ideal for many illustrators to achieve an accomplished drawing, Architectural and engineering layouts may be better served with firm pencils, while a sculptor looking to quickly sketch an expressive idea may opt for a soft lead pencil.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-drawing-pencils/ (http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-drawing-pencils/)
FAQs:
What ingredients change the hardness rating of a pencil?
Graphite pencil lead basically consists of graphite (crystallized carbon) ground with clay and water into a dough consistency, which is then pressed through extruders before being encased in the wooden barrel. The H rated pencil leads have more clay content to them as compared to the B rated pencils, which have less clay content.
What rating is a #2 pencil?
Commonly assumed a #2 pencil had a lead hardness rating of 2B, the origin of this pencil was an office-type pencil, which used numerical notations at the end of each pencil. A #2 pencil is closest to the HB rating. However, ratings are not universal and vendors may deem their 2B rating as a #2 pencil.
-Kristal F.
Product Information Specialist
For further assistance using art supplies, feel welcome to contact our Product Information Department at
1-800-933-2542 or e-mail us at info@dickblick.com (info@dickblick.com). Hours of operation: M-F, 8:00am-5:30pm CST.