Pencil Type

[MainEvent]

I have never really used anything to draw with besides a regular #2 pencil on some blank computer paper. I think its time that I moved away from this and tried out some other types of pencils and paper. What would be some good ranges of pencils that I should try out just for figure drawings and such. Do I need different types for shading or what? And about paper...what is some good paper that is well suited to drawing? Someone please point me in the right direction...thanks.

[Dizon]

get a wide range of different pencil grades. From HB to 8b and figure out what suits you the best( a lot of people usually use HB, 2B, and 6B, but that doesn't matter much). It's also no hurt in trying out different kinds like charcoal pencil, carbon pencil, graphite. Go try those out. As for paper, look for "Drawing paper" not that "blank computer paper" you use. There's also charcoal paper available.

There's a lot of good brands out there. I personally use Canson and Strathmore for paper, and staedtler and faber castell for the pencils. Try out Derwent, General's, Conte etc. It really doesn't matter to me what brand of pencils I use, it's how you apply it that matters.

visit www.dickblick.com and check out the brands.

[Steinmetz]

I just stick to a 3b graphite stick, it never needs sharpening and it gives good tone

[Snowsfall]

I draw with whatevers around.
But I do prefer 2b lead over everything else

[BlackGuy]

I usually use 2h for understructure and a col erase blue pencil for a perspective grid. 2b for drawing and rendering and a mechanical pencil for details. And I've recently discovered that bristol board is sex.

[CCThrom]

I like an HB or B mechanical pencil... or for different effects, try an ebony pencil or a black prismacolor.