Mechanical pencils

[mtw]

I'm thinking about getting a mechanical pencil for drawing because that way I wouldn't have to be sharpening my pencil all the time. I'd get one that can hold a lead as thick as pencils have (2mm) so I could use it for toning. Are there some drawbacks to mechanical pencils that would make me want to still work with a pencil?

[gasmask]

the problem with mechanical is u cant achieve as many shading styles with it as regular pencils, all you can really do is hatch, and other shading tech with mech pen. is a waste of time, its great for line work but leave the values to softer lead that has more surface.

[Presence]

I have used a kind of middle of the road mechanical pencil where the lead is just as thick as a normal pencil and it is held in by this type of claw. It works out super well and they have a full lead selection which really opens things up. The sharpener is in the top of the pencil so you can get a fine point when you need it....just like a normal pencil....ok then...starting to see the point here....just go with the normal pencil....fine then.

[AnarchyAo2]

I really don't go out and buy expensive mechanical pencils. I get regular set of HB, 2b, 4b, 6b pencils for shading and framework. I use the crappy Bic mechanical pencils for small details and stuff, because they are so precise. But, its just my way of doing things. You may like them, a lot of people do.

[tinyhands]

The staedler mars 780 is a really good mechanical pencil. It has the sharpener thing on the top as well, and the lead is like a normal pencil. And you can extend the lead long enough to get it broadside and do more tonal drawings with it. And they do sell a variety of leads for it so you can get your hard and soft leads.