what pencils should i use?

im new to drawing and i just wondered what pencils i shoul use? for example HB pencils.
thanks

Hiya
Welcome to drawing!

Pencils come in different types as you've no doubt figured out--H pencils are 'hard' leads the make a lighter grayer line and keep their sharpness a long time. The higher the number the harder the graphite--HB, 2H, 3H, 4H...whereas the B or soft pencils have a softer graphite lead that produces a darker smudgier line as the grade goes up--HB, 2B, 3B, 4B...

Get a variety of pencils and test drive them hard--see what you like. Try mechanical pencils as well--those leads come in different grades to.

Pencils don't have to be expensive but I will tell you that cheaper pencils may have hard spots like what seems like rocks in them--makes for bad times.

Get a nice variety of papers and have at it! See how the different grade pencils behave on different grade papers. Lots of times you will develop a 'feel' that you like and that can determine the best combo for you but don't be afraid to experiment and have fun!! And don't forget to post your efforts!

if your going to do color,

it really dont mater what band you use, especially if your just starting off

in my gallery here http://thegaffney.deviantart.com/gallery/ about 80% of them were done with just crayola colored pencils from walmart, the newer ones i use prismacolor pencils, they blend alot easier, but are a little expensive if your just starting out, the expensive ones are not needed at all.

Prismacolor does have there Verithin type of pencils they make, those are real nice because they have really hard leads, so they get, and stay really sharp and are nice for doing the details like the body lines and what not. thats about the only thing i might suggest on top of the cheap crayolas for coloring in and shadding

As explained earlier pencils range from 9b to 9h so what I would do is buy a full set of derwent graphic pencils (comes in a metal tin) and as you draw more and more you will se what pencils you keep going back to. From then on you will know what you should buy more of to keep spares handy. I have ALOT of pencils but there are a certain few I ALWAYS go back to and keep spares of. If I were to pic 3 pencils to keep it would probably be 2h, hb, and either 4 or 6b but that is just me, I am sure it differs from person to person. One thing you dont want to do though is skimp on the paper youre using, I will argue that it is just as if not more important then the pencil you are using. Hope our replies help you.

alex

I do everything with a 0.5mm Parker Vector "Technical" pencil from the 1980s using F or Hb lead, except that maybe because I take that everywhere.