We’ve all used the standard #2 pencil in school, but as artists, we know that achieving the desired marks often requires more than a basic sharpening. Art pencils and drawing pencils offer a wider range of hardness and softness, allowing for greater control over your lines and textures. Let’s revitalize this worn-out pencil and give it a sharp point. Discover the best techniques for sharpening drawing pencils to elevate your artistic creations.
This pencil has definitely seen better days. Let’s give it a good sharp point.
Over a trash can, I carefully start to whittle down the wood about two inches back from the tip with an X-Acto knife.
Then, using the knife, I very, very carefully strip away the wood from the graphite exposing about an inch and a half of graphite. This takes practice—I have broken many, many tips in this step.
Next, I grab a sanding block or sandpaper and gently run my pencil along the grit to create a long, sharp point. I’m sanding both the graphite and the wood together, while turning it constantly to ensure it’s even all around.
You’ll notice how much of the tip is now gone from that initial inch and a half I had exposed. We now have a beautifully sharp pencil.
You can see the difference in strokes from a sharp pencil and a dull one. With a dull pencil you’re likely to get heavy, thick strokes, but with a sharp one you will be able to get more delicate, thin, light, and confident strokes, which will make for stronger, more detailed, and dynamic drawings. Invest in the best drawing pencils and maintain their sharpness to elevate your artistic creations.
Interested in learning more about the best drawing pencils? You might be interested in these other videos about using and sharpening art pencils:
Sharpening Pencils and Charcoal
How to Hold a Pencil the Artist’s Way
Understanding the Numbers and Letters on Pencils
Ooops. My choice of words didn't meet your submission standards but you won't tell me why?
How do you prevent (or get rid of) the graphite “shine” in pencil drawings?
I am happy to learn about sharpening techniques. I never thought much about this before. Thanks.
Thanks for explaining why this method may be preferred to a sharpener.
Why not just sharpen it with a sharpener? The tip looks the same and you wouldn't have wasted as much pencil.