Charcoal pencils are a fundamental tool in every artist’s arsenal, offering a unique blend of versatility, control, and richness in tone. These pencils are known for their ability to create a wide range of effects, from bold, intense lines to soft, subtle shading.
Our evaluation of various charcoal pencil products on the market, including their hardness levels, smudge ability, and ease of erasure, led us to the U.S. Art Supply 20-Piece Professional Charcoal Pencil Set as the standout performer. This comprehensive set delivers on all fronts, providing artists with quality, variety, and durability.
The U.S. Art Supply 20-piece Charcoal Pencil Set invites beginners and advanced artists alike to dive headfirst into the world of sketching with no fear! This set equips aspiring artists with all the essentials: sketch and charcoal pencils, pastels, stumps with long-lasting cores, erasers, and sharpeners, all neatly tucked away in a hard storage case.
From the exquisitely smooth charcoal pencils to the forgiving eraser, every item in this set is crafted with care and precision. We think the sturdy case makes it a great gift idea or even just good for traveling.
| High-quality pigments and materials | |
| Soft lead for smooth coloring | |
| Designed for excellent blending and shading | |
| Includes 20 pieces | |
| Long-lasting cores resistant to breakage |
If you’re learning to play around with shadows and highlights in your work and want the shading to last, the ARTEZA Charcoal Pencil Set for Drawing & Sketching is the ultimate choice.
This set of 4 charcoal pencils, including a white charcoal pencil, and hard, medium, and soft black charcoal pencils, embraces a spectrum of blending techniques. Skilled artists and beginners alike will appreciate its versatility. Every stroke with these charcoal pencils brings images to life, while their quality ensures exceptional performance and longevity. It’s the perfect set for practicing sketching and shading.
| Set includes 4 charcoal pencils | |
| Pencils available in soft, medium, and hard | |
| Suitable for sketching, drawing, and shading | |
| Black and white tones for dynamic art |
The MARKART Professional Charcoal Pencils Set emerges as a budding artist’s perfect companion, offering exceptional value for money. These pencils effortlessly glide on the paper, ensuring seamless blending and shading.
With 5 soft, 3 medium, and 2 hard charcoal pencils in the set, you can easily transition between various intensities to create depth and dimension. Their versatility allows you to explore different styles and techniques, truly making them a must-have tool in your sketching arsenal. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option that does not compromise on quality, this charcoal pencil set is the best option to start getting your work on the page.
| 10-piece charcoal pencil set | |
| Includes soft, medium, and hard grades | |
| Conforms to ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards | |
| Non-toxic and eco-friendly materials | |
| High pigmentation for rich colors | |
| Easy to sharpen pencils | |
| Ideal for detailed and broad strokes |
Whether you’re a novice artist looking to experiment with charcoal or an experienced artist seeking an affordable yet effective charcoal set, the Brusarth’s 12-piece Charcoal Drawing Set is worth considering. This kit includes black and white charcoal pencils, eraser pencils, and blending stumps, offering a comprehensive package for drawing, sketching, and shading.
The black charcoal pencils excel in creating intense, rich lines, while the white charcoal pencils shine when highlighting and laying down tones on dark surfaces. This dynamic duo allows artists to explore contrast and depth effectively. I love that this set includes both extra soft, soft, medium, and hard charcoal pencils, giving you all of the best tools to truly take your charcoal drawings to the next level.
| Works well on dark surfaces | |
| Erases easily without residue | |
| Pencils blend very easily |
The Derwent Charcoal Pencils are made with high-quality charcoal and precision that allows you to take control over your work. The pencils craft a smooth, rich darkness and they shine in their versatility for shading. They offer the perfect balance between soft subtlety and strong, bold strokes.
We love the very retro metal tin carrying case they come in, which makes them both more portable and easier to identify in your art supply bin or bag. It also includes a white charcoal pencil and pencils in varying hardness levels.
| Composed of charcoal particles and clay | |
| Smooth texture for easy blending | |
| Set of 6 pencils | |
| Comes with a metal tin and sharpener |
When it comes to sketching and drawing, nothing beats the feel and result of a top-quality charcoal pencil. These tools provide an unmatched level of depth, texture, and contrast to your artwork. However, there are a few things to consider when you’re looking for charcoal pencils to purchase. This buying guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to make an informed decision and invest wisely in your art supplies.
The density of the charcoal in your pencil plays a significant role in the overall quality of your drawings. High-density pencils create bold and dark lines, ideal for detailing and shading. On the other hand, low-density pencils produce lighter strokes and are perfect for initial sketches and gentle shading. Therefore, consider the kind of work you’ll be doing before choosing your charcoal pencils.
The texture of the charcoal affects the smoothness of your sketching experience. When it comes to texture, you don’t want a pencil that merely “feels good,” but one that glides across the paper, making each stroke effortless. A smooth texture will reduce friction and allow for a more fluid drawing experience, while a rough texture will give your artwork a unique gritty look.
The hardness of a charcoal pencil determines the variation of tones and shades you can achieve in your drawings. Seek out pencils that can create a range of tones from light greys to deep blacks. Hard charcoal pencils produce lighter lines, while soft charcoal pencils produce darker, more prominent lines.
Brands often play a role in the quality and reliability of charcoal pencils. Although it’s not just about buying from a reputable brand, you should aim to choose brands that consistently deliver quality and earn positive reviews from artists.
Charcoal pencils contain compressed charcoal as the core, providing a much darker and richer black than graphite pencils. They're perfect for creating deep shadows and bold, expressive lines.
Yes, charcoal pencils are available in different grades, ranging from soft to hard. Soft charcoal pencils, around 6B, produce darker, more intense lines, while hard charcoal pencils, around 2H, create lighter, finer lines. The grading system is similar to graphite pencils.
Charcoal marks are generally more difficult to erase compared to graphite. While you can use a kneaded eraser or a vinyl eraser, expect some residual marks, especially on rough paper. It's often best to embrace mistakes and incorporate them into your artwork.
Vine charcoal is soft and powdery, perfect for creating initial sketches or broad strokes. Compressed charcoal, found in charcoal pencils, is denser and produces darker lines. It's great for adding details and achieving richer blacks.
Yes, charcoal pencils are easily blendable. You can use blending stumps, tortillons, or even your fingers to blend charcoal marks on paper. This technique is great for creating smooth gradients and soft transitions.
While you can use regular drawing paper, it's best to use paper specifically designed for charcoal. Charcoal paper is thicker and has a rougher texture, which helps grip the charcoal and prevents smudging. Additionally, it can handle multiple layers of charcoal without buckling.
At Art Life Today, our passion for arts and crafts is at the heart of everything we do. We understand that the right tools and materials can make all the difference in your creative projects, so we take our responsibility as reviewers seriously. Our goal is to help you discover the best products that will inspire your creativity and bring your artistic visions to life.