My Favourite Graphite Materials
Below are my favourite graphite materials. If you purchase through these links, I earn a small commission from Jackson’s Art Supplies or Amazon at no extra cost to you.
🌍 Note: Jackson’s Art Ships Worldwide
Artist Tip: I always encourage beginners to invest in professional-quality materials right from the start. Cheap supplies are often a false economy—they simply won’t give you the same rich results or smooth application. Remember, it only takes a single £200 commission to pay off your entire set of quality materials!
Mars Lumograph 12 Box Set
My preferred brand
This Set is only from 2H up to 8B
See buy Singles on Jackson’s site to purchase 4H, 6H and 9H individually
Mars Lumograph Black Set of 6
Great to reduce that shine we get when using softer grades of pencils.
Matt Black Lead: I use them combined with Standard Pencils
Faber Castell: Kneadable Eraser
This is the best Kneadable Eraser that I have used. Tried so many brands and they seem to dry up and crumble… this one never does. You can mould into a point for fine erasing.
Stathmore 400 Series Toned Tan
I use this paper for my Graphite and white Charcoal Drawing.
Stathmore 400 Series Toned Grey
I use this paper for my Graphite and white Charcoal Drawing.
Strathmore Bristol Smooth
Tried many different papers, this one for me is wonderful to work on.
Stathmore Bristol Vellum
For darker values, gives a more dramatic look compared to smooth
Stathmore 400 Series Toned Grey
I use this paper for my Graphite and white Charcoal Drawing.
Pental: Mechanical Pencil
Really nice feel to this bit of kit. This one has a HB Lead
Mechanical Leads o.5 (B)
Leads for the Mechanical Pencil… see also other grades too.
Tombow: Mono Zero Eraser
Perfect for the fine refinement and subtle effects.
Mono Zero Eraser Square Tip
Really nice to use for special effects. Great to use
Eraser with Brush
A must have bit of kit, I use it to brush away the graphite bits.
Derwent: White Charcoal
Really nice to use for my Charcoal and white drawings on toned paper
Generals White Charcoal
Beautiful Charcoal, I little harder than the Derwent one.
Charcoal Pencil Box Set
I have enjoyed playing with these different grades of Charcoal.
Thick Willow Charcoal
Best for light sketching, blending and preliminary shapes
Thin Willow Charcoal
Great for mapping out the outline, easy to erase