When shopping for pencils, the best ones for drawing are ones that have smooth graphite and are comfortable to use in your hand, that way you can get consistent lines and shades when drawing. Some top choices include Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencils and Derwent pencils. For beginners, start with pencil grades like HB, 2B, 4B and 6B because they offer a range from light sketching to deep shading.

2B, 4B and 6B pencils are grades that tell you how light or dark a graphite pencil is and how hard or soft it is. Graphite pencils can have a H or B grade. The H stands for hard, and the B stands for blackness. Pencils with B grades like 2B, 4B and 6B leave a darker mark on paper because they're softer and have more graphite than filler. 2B, 4B and 6B pencils are used for shading, blending and creating deep tones in drawings and sketches. The higher the number is, the softer the lead is and the darker the marks will be. By having different grades, it allows artists to build contrast from moderate shadows (2B) to deeper black tones (6B).

If you’re looking for a pencil to sketch with, a 2B pencil is considered a better option than an HB pencil because it is softer to draw with and can give you darker shades. 2B pencils can give you smoother shading and a wider range of tones without putting a lot of pressure on your paper. HB pencils are better suited for creating outlines, technical drawings and writing because they can maintain a sharp point longer and don’t smudge as much as 2B pencils.

Charcoal pencils are a good option when you want to create darker black tones and stronger shading with your drawings. Charcoal pencils are best used for sketching, blending and adding shadows for both portrait and landscape drawings. They can be sharpened to a fine point for creating precise lines in drawings and sketches. Charcoal pencils are also a cleaner option than traditional charcoal sticks because they’re encased in wood.