Drawing is one of the most accessible art forms – drawing pencil sets are readily available in craft and art shops and the best drawing pencils for beginners are very affordable. It's easy to pick up supplies and get drawing right away!
With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know which ones to use. But don't fret! In this article, we'll take a dive into the world of drawing pencils and explore the top contenders that will elevate your sketches to a whole new level. From hard to soft, light to dark, and everything in between, we've got you covered. So, grab your sharpeners and let's get started!
We've also put together a best colouring pencils guide and a best mechanical pencils for drawing guide to help you stock up on art supplies. If you want to try a new medium, take a look at our how to use oil pastels guide.
Read on to discover the best drawing pencils to buy in 2024…
Best drawing pencils in 2024
1. Staedtler Mars Lumography pencil set
- Buy now from Amazon (£15.45).
What's included
- 12 pencils from 6B to 4H
- Metal tin
This great little sketching pencil set by Staedtler is a good option if you're new to drawing and don't have a big budget. This sketching pencil set includes a good selection of pencils ranging from 6B to 4H, allowing you to create a range of sketching styles. They also come in a sturdy tin, which will help to protect your pencils.
Staedtler is a popular brand and this is a good set for beginners – you can always upgrade to a professional set at a later date if you get really into drawing!
Want to improve your drawing skills? Explore our pick of the best drawing books.
Pros
- Great value
- Good range
- Ideal for beginners
Cons
- Doesn't include eraser/sharpener
2. WHSmith Pure Graphite pencils
- Buy now from WHSmith (£6.99)
What's included
- 6 pure graphite pencils from HB to 9B
- Metal tin
Have you tried using pure graphite pencils? These super-blendable pencils don't contain any wood, so you can use them to draw wider strokes than ordinary drawing pencils. These pencils are brilliant for sketching and very versatile, so they're a great choice if you're planning to get out into the fresh air for a drawing session. This graphite pencil set ranges from HB to 9B, so it's ideal for creating softer, more tonal drawings.
Check out our tips for the best shading techniques.
Pros
- No wood for wide strokes
- Very blendable
Cons
- Doesn't include any regular pencils
3. Faber Castell 9000 Design set
What's included
- 12 pencils from 5B to 5H
- Metal tin
Faber Castell's pencil range has long been popular with artists and illustrators and this set has been produced since 1905! This set is suitable for artists, professional illustrators designers and amateur sketchers. It contains a good selection of pencils ranging from 5B to 5H and comes in a protective tin. This is an excellent drawing set which is great value for money.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Trusted brand
- Range of pencils
Cons
- Doesn't include eraser/sharpener
4. Tombow Mono drawing pencil set
What's included
- 6 pencils from 2H to 6B
- Mono Zero eraser
Tombow Mono pencils are brilliant quality for the price: these Japanese pencils are made from break-proof, high density graphite that won't smudge. They're beautifully smooth to use and they blend very easily. This set includes six pencils ranging from 2H to 6B, plus a round Mono Zero eraser.
Try out your new pencils and have a go at our how to draw a cat easy tutorial.
Pros
- Break-proof graphite
- High quality
- Includes eraser
Cons
- Doesn't include a case
5. Winsor & Newton 490010 Precision pencil set
What's included
- 3 graphite pencils from 2B to 6B
- Black and white charcoal pencils
- Sepia pencil
- Pierre noire pencil
- Pencil sharpener
- Eraser
- Paper stump
- Metal tin
This pencil set from Winsor & Newton has a selection of soft graphite pencils combined with white and charcoal pencils. It also includes a pencil sharpener, an eraser and a paper stump (for blending). This is a good drawing pencil set for beginners and will allow you to experiment with charcoal pencils too.
Pros
- Includes a range of extra pencils
- Includes extra equipment
- Good for beginners
Cons
- Only 3 soft pencils, no hard
6. Derwent Academy Sketching Starter set
What's included
- 12 pencils from 6B to 5H
- A4 sketch pad
- 2 erasers
- Pencil sharpener
- Project book
If you're looking for the best drawing pencils for beginners, you can't go wrong with this fabulous set from Derwent. It contains absolutely everything you need to begin drawing right away, including an A4 sketch pad, 12 drawing pencils (6B-5H), an eraser, pencil sharpener and a project book with tips to help you get started.
Use your new pencils and learn how to draw a dog or how to draw a tree!
Pros
- Contains everything you need to get started
- High quality
- Great value
Cons
- No pure graphite pencils
7. Derwent Professional line and wash sketching set
- Buy now from WHSmith (£23.99)
What's included
- 6 pencils from 4B to 2H
- 2 water soluble pencils 4B and HB
- Waterbrush
- Paper stump
- Eraser
- Pencil sharpener
Combine painting and drawing by investing in this handy pencil set. The line and wash technique uses pencils with water soluble leads – you can draw onto paper and then blend your shading with the waterbrush to give your drawing a painted look. You can use your pencils to add lines as well. This little kit also includes a paper stump, an eraser and a pencil sharpener.
Pros
- Create a range of effects
- Includes handy tools
Cons
- More expensive
8. Derwent Academy colouring pencils and graphic pencils set
What's included
- 12 colouring pencils
- 12 watercolour pencils
- 6 graphite pencils from 6B to 5H
- Eraser
- Paintbrush
- Pencil sharper
- Drawing pad
- Project book
- Wooden box
If you want to get into drawing, this pencil set is ideal for beginners. It contains a combination of high quality sketching and colouring pencils produced by Derwent, all contained in a beautiful wooden case. As an added bonus, this set also comes with an eraser, paintbrush, pencil sharpener and a project book with tips to help you get started.
Pros
- Includes both colour and graphite pencils
- Trusted brand
- Great value
Cons
- Not great for drawing on the go
9. Derwent Professional pencils set of 24
- Buy now from WHSmith (£39.99).
What's included
- Graphitone Stick
- 4 graphite blocks
- 4 charcoal blocks
- 3 sketching pencils
- 2 graphic pencils
- 2 drawing pencils
- 3 tinted charcoal pencils
- 3 charcoal pencils
- Sharpener
- Eraser
- Metal tin
When you're buying art supplies, it's a good idea to buy the best quality materials that you can afford. If you invest in quality pencils, they'll last for a really long time if you look after them. If you're looking for the best pencils for drawing, you won't go wrong if you invest in a high quality set like this one made by Derwent. It includes a combination of graphite blocks (great for sketching!) and a mixture of sketching pencils including tinted charcoal.
This drawing pencil set includes a great range of materials and will allow you to create very professional-looking sketches.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Includes range of materials
- Will last
Cons
- Not very portable
10. Koh-I-Noor Gioconda sketching set
What's included
- 3 Silky Black Hardtmuth Gioconda pencils, one in each lead grades 1, 2 and 3
- 1 grade 2 charcoal Gioconda Hardtmuth pencil
- 1 6B Hardtmuth Toison d'Or pencil
- 1 8b Hardtmuth Toison d'Or pencil
- 2 Progresso woodless graphite pencils, one in 2B and another in 4B
- 1 Gioconda drawing chalk
- 3 Graphite blocks, one in 2B, 4B and 6B
- 3 charcoal colouring blocks one of each in grade 1, 2 and 3
- 3 lead colouring blocks, one of each in grade 1, 2 and 3
- 1 6423 eraser
- 1 metal single hole pencil sharpener
- 3 charcoal drawing sticks
Koh-I-Noor is a brand that has an amazing reputation for producing professional-standard art materials and this set is no exception: it contains everything you'll need to create incredible sketches including pencils, charcoal and a blending stump. This is a high quality drawing set that will last a long time if you take care of it.
Pros
- Professional quality
- Huge range of equipment
- Will last
Cons
- More pricey
How to choose the right drawing pencils for you
If you're new to drawing, it's a good idea to look for a small set which includes pencils with a mixture of hard and soft leads. Pencils are graded as H or B: ones with an H on them have very firm leads and are great for drawing fine details, while B grade pencils have softer leads and are great for blending. The H or B grading will also have a number next to it indicating how soft or hard it is – the higher the number, the softer or harder the lead will be. For example, a 2B pencil will be soft and blendable, but not as soft as a 9B. Most sets will also include an HB pencil, which is neither too soft nor too hard.
To find the best drawing pencils for you, it's a good idea to look at your style of drawing and go from there. If you're studying graphic design, you should opt for a set with H pencils for precision and a couple of Bs for shading. H pencils have firmer tips and won't smudge as easily as a B pencil. If you like to blend your drawings and have smooth shading, then choose a set with lots of Bs. The best drawing pencils for beginners should include a mix of both – you can always upgrade your pencils at a later date once you've developed a better sense of your own style.
You can often buy drawing pencil sets that have been put together for a particular style of drawing (such as portraiture) and these are worth looking out for if you want to specialise.
When you're buying your drawing pencils, it's a good idea to look out for a well-known brand to make sure you're buying the best quality pencils that you can get. Keep an eye out for bigger brands such as Derwent or Faber Castell – these companies have been supplying artists for generations. Sometimes art shops produce their own drawing pencil brands and these can be good value for beginners.
Drawing to a close
We hope you've discovered some 'draw'-dropping finds in our roundup of the best drawing pencils. Whether you're just starting out, or you're an expert looking to hone your craft, pencils are some of the most essential and accessible tools out there, so why wait? Get drawing today!
Why stop at pencils?
Looking to buy more art supplies? Check out our guides to the best watercolour paints, best acrylic paints and our best drawing tablet for beginners guide. If you're looking for gifts for an artistic friend or family member, take a look at our pick of the best gifts for artists and the best art sets for kids.
Featured image by Unsplash/Dev Asangbam.
