In the world of art, charcoal pencils are essential tools for achieving artistic excellence. These versatile and dynamic instruments offer artists the ability to create a wide range of tones, textures, and effects in their drawings. Whether you’re a professional artist or a hobbyist, having the right charcoal pencils in your toolkit is crucial for achieving the desired results. In this post, we will explore the top 6 must-have charcoal pencils that every artist should consider adding to their collection.
1. HIFORNY 12-piece Charcoal Pencil Set – Ideal for Drawing, Sketching, and Portrait Art
8.9
Highly recommended
The HIFORNY 12-piece Charcoal Pencil Set is a versatile and comprehensive set that is ideal for both beginners and experienced artists. With a range of hardness levels and a convenient container, it offers precise control and easy organization for various drawing techniques.
Benefits: Versatile and High-Quality
- Versatile set with a wide range of charcoal pencils for various drawing techniques
- Offers different levels of hardness, allowing for precise control and shading effects
- Convenient container keeps all the pencils organized and easy to carry around
Limitations
- N/A
The HIFORNY 12-piece Charcoal Pencil Set is a complete collection of charcoal pencils, offering a range of softness levels including 2 extra soft, 4 soft, 4 medium, and 2 hard pencils. Suitable for artists of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals, these high-quality charcoal pencils provide a smooth and precise drawing experience. The set comes in a convenient container, making it easy to carry around and keep all the pencils in one place. Perfect for drawing, sketching, shading, blending, and portraiture, these pencils are sure to impress both beginners and seasoned artists alike.
Versatile Charcoal Pencil Set
- Complete set with 12 charcoal pencils
- Includes 2 extra soft, 4 soft, 4 medium, and 2 hard pencils
- Suitable for drawing, sketching, shading, blending, and portraiture
- Ideal for beginners and artists of all levels
2. Derwent Charcoal Pencils, 6-Piece Set, Professional Quality
8.9
Suitable for beginners
The Derwent Kohlestifte, Zeichnen & Schreiben, 6er-Set, offers professional quality charcoal drawing pencils in a range of light, medium, dark, and tinted charcoal white. They are ideal for blending and smudging, although some users have found difficulty in sharpening due to the pencils not fitting in the included sharpener. However, overall, the product is suitable for beginners and comes in a practical packaging tin.
Premium Charcoal Pencils
- Suitable for beginners
- Practical packaging in a tin
- Range of light, medium, dark, and tinted charcoal white pencils
- Ideal for blending and smudging
Disadvantages
- The pencils do not fit in the included sharpener, making it difficult to sharpen them
- Some experienced artists have found that the pencils are too thick to fit in certain sharpeners recommended for charcoal pencils
Experience the freedom of charcoal drawing with the control of a pencil with the Derwent Charcoal Pencils, Drawing & Writing, 6-piece Set. These professional-quality charcoal pencils come in a range of shades, perfect for both professional artists and hobby painters of all ages. The soft, powdery texture of these pencils allows for rich, dramatic drawings. Plus, they come in a convenient tin case and include a sharpener for easy use. However, some customers have noted that the pencils are too thick to fit into the included sharpener, resulting in a loss of one star in their review.
High-Quality Charcoal Pencils
- Professional quality charcoal drawing pencils
- Set includes a range of light, medium, dark, and tinted charcoal white pencils
- Ideal for blending and smudging
- Comes with a sharpener included
3. STAEDTLER Lumograph Charcoal Pencils
8.9
Excellent charcoal set
The STAEDTLER Kohlestifte Mars Lumograph charcoal is a high-quality charcoal pencil set that is made in Germany. It is suitable for drawing, shading, and creating expressive sketches and portraits. The set includes charcoal pencils in soft, medium, and hard hardness grades, as well as a paper smudge tool. While it may require practice to use effectively and can break easily if not sharpened correctly, overall, it is an ideal choice for artists and sketching enthusiasts.
Benefits of Lumograph Charcoal Pencils
- High-quality charcoal pencils
- Made in Germany
- Suitable for drawing, shading, and creating expressive sketches and portraits
Cons
- Requires practice to use effectively
- Can break easily if not sharpened correctly
The STAEDTLER Kohlestifte Mars Lumograph charcoal is a high-quality charcoal pencil with a high soot and charcoal content, manufactured in Germany. It is particularly suitable for drawing, shading, and creating expressive sketches and portraits. The blister card packaging includes charcoal pencils in three different hardness grades (S, M, and H) and a paper smudger. Customers have expressed satisfaction with the product and have praised its performance and value for money. However, it is recommended to sharpen the pencils using a short cone sharpener or sandpaper to prevent breakage.
Versatile and High-Quality Charcoal Pencils
- High-quality charcoal pencil with a high carbon content
- Made in Germany
- Suitable for drawing, shading, and creating expressive sketches and portraits
- Includes a blister card with charcoal pencils in soft, medium, and hard hardness grades
- Includes a paper smudge tool
- Ideal for artists and sketching enthusiasts
4. Winsor & Newton 0490009 Sketching Set – 4 Charcoal Pencils
8.9
Versatile and expressive
The Winsor & Newton 0490009 Zeichenstifte Set is a high-quality sketching pencil set that offers a versatile range of colors, making it suitable for various drawing styles and techniques. It is an expressive and traditional medium for artistic expression, perfect for creating portraits, landscapes, and intense lines and fine shading.
Benefits of Winsor & Newton Sketching Set
- High-quality sketching pencils
- Versatile range of colors
- Suitable for various drawing styles and techniques
The Winsor & Newton 0490009 Zeichenstifte Set is a set of 4 sketching pencils in various colors, including White charcoal, Sepia, Medium Charcoal, and Soft Charcoal. These charcoal pencils are perfect for creating portraits, landscapes, and achieving both intense lines and delicate shading. With their expressive and traditional qualities, these charcoal pencils are a great choice for artists looking to create beautiful drawings and sketches.
According to reviews, these pencils have a good writing quality and are less greasy compared to other well-known brands in the same strength. They are also highly regarded as a gift, with users noting their excellent quality and suitability for drawing.
Product Features: High-Quality Charcoal Pencils
- Set of 4 sketching pencils in various colors: White charcoal, Sepia, Medium Charcoal, and Soft Charcoal
- Charcoal pencils for creating portraits, landscapes, and intense lines and fine shading
- Suitable for drawings and sketches
- Expressive and traditional medium for artistic expression
5. Mont Marte Kohlestifte Set – 3 Stück – Black Charcoal with Varying Hardness – Ideal for Impressive Drawings
8.7
Suitable Choice
The Mont Marte Kohlestifte Set is a versatile option for artists of all levels, offering a set of 3 charcoal pencils with different hardness grades. While it may have some packaging issues and limited variation in gray value, it is still a suitable choice for charcoal drawings.
Professional Artists’ Choice
- Set of 3 charcoal pencils with different hardness grades
- Suitable for beginners, professionals, and artists
- Versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes
Drawbacks
- One of the pencils arrived broken, indicating that they may need better packaging to prevent damage during shipping
- The different hardness grades of the charcoal pencils may not have a noticeable difference in the gray value, making it difficult to achieve varying shades in drawings
The Mont Marte Kohlestifte Set includes 3 charcoal pencils with different hardness levels (soft, medium, hard), making them perfect for beginners, professionals, and artists who want to explore charcoal drawings. These charcoal pencils can be used for a variety of purposes, such as creating deep shadows and adding impressive details to drawings. The pencils provide a deep matte black color that cannot be achieved with graphite, and while they are not easily smudgeable, they are ideal for adding depth to shadows. One pencil arrived broken, but overall, the set offers great value for the price. Additionally, one satisfied customer highly recommends these charcoal pencils, as they were able to create professional-looking artwork with them, despite being a hobbyist painter.
Versatile and High-Quality Charcoal Set
- Set of 3 charcoal pencils with different hardness grades
- Suitable for beginners, professionals, and artists
- Ideal for charcoal drawings
- Versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes
6. Helweet Charcoal Set for Drawing and Writing
8.6
Conclusion: Suitable and durable
The Helweet Gepresste Zeichenkohle is a high-quality charcoal set that is resistant to breaking, smooth to use, and durable. While it lacks square-shaped charcoal sticks and information on the softness or hardness level, it is still a suitable choice for drawing, sketching, writing, and art design.
Benefits of Helweet Charcoal Set
- Made from high-quality charcoal sticks
- Resistant to breaking
- Smooth and comfortable to use
Weaknesses
- Limited availability of square-shaped charcoal sticks
- No information provided on the level of softness or hardness of the charcoal sticks
The Helweet Pressed Charcoal, Charcoal Set, Sketch Charcoal Pencils, Black Charcoal Pencils, Charcoal Pencils Set, Suitable for Drawing, Sketching, Writing, Art Design, 6 Pieces package includes a total of 2 soft charcoal sticks, 2 medium charcoal sticks, and 2 hard charcoal sticks, providing enough options to meet different drawing requirements. The charcoal pencils are made from high-quality charcoal sticks, which are burned at high temperature to ensure durability and ease of use. They are smooth, comfortable to hold, and easy to color with, making them ideal for oil painting, design, and sketching. The rectangular shape adds to their practicality.
One satisfied customer mentioned that they were looking for square charcoals that are soft enough to transfer surface contours onto paper through rubbing with the long side of the charcoal. They found what they were looking for with this product. The charcoal pencils are also suitable for sketching and drawing.
Another review simply stated “Excellent product quality.
Versatile and High-quality Materials
- Made from high-quality charcoal sticks
- Resistant to breaking
- Smooth and comfortable to use
- Durable and long-lasting
- Rectangular shape for easy handling
- Suitable for drawing, sketching, writing, and art design
Other Options for Charcoal Drawing
Step-by-step Instructions for Utilizing Charcoal Pencils
- Start with light strokes: Beginners should begin by using light strokes with the charcoal pencil. This allows for more control and makes it easier to make adjustments later
- Experiment with different pressures: By varying the pressure applied to the charcoal pencil, beginners can achieve different levels of darkness and shading. This helps in creating depth and dimension in the artwork
- Practice blending techniques: Blending is an important technique when using charcoal pencils. Beginners should practice blending with their fingers, blending stumps, or even a soft cloth. This helps in creating smooth transitions and adding texture to the artwork
Top Charcoal Pencil Brands
- Faber-Castell: Known for their high-quality art supplies, Faber-Castell offers a range of charcoal pencils that are widely popular among artists
- Derwent: Derwent is another well-known brand that produces charcoal pencils. Their products are known for their smooth texture and versatility
- General’s: General’s charcoal pencils are highly regarded for their rich, dark tones and ease of use. They are a popular choice among both beginners and professional artists
- Conte: Conte is a trusted brand that offers a variety of charcoal pencils. Artists appreciate their consistent quality and the wide selection of tones available
- Staedtler: Staedtler is a reputable brand that offers high-quality charcoal pencils. Their pencils are known for their durability and excellent blending properties
- Koh-I-Noor: Koh-I-Noor is a well-established brand that is often favored by artists for their charcoal pencils. Their pencils are known for their smoothness and ability to produce rich, bold lines
- Cretacolor: Cretacolor offers a range of charcoal pencils that are popular among artists. Their pencils are known for their high pigmentation and smooth application
- Caran d’Ache: Caran d’Ache is a renowned brand that produces premium art supplies. Their charcoal pencils are highly regarded for their exceptional quality and ability to produce rich, expressive lines
- Prismacolor: Prismacolor is a popular brand known for their wide range of art supplies. Their charcoal pencils are favored by many artists for their smoothness and ability to create various tones
- Winsor & Newton: Winsor & Newton is a well-known brand that offers high-quality art materials. Their charcoal pencils are appreciated for their softness, allowing artists to achieve a wide range of values
Pricing Information for Charcoal Pencils
- Low-priced charcoal pencils: These are affordable options for beginners or those on a budget. They typically come in packs of multiple pencils and offer decent quality for basic sketching and shading. Prices can range from $5 to $10
- Mid-range charcoal pencils: These pencils are slightly more expensive and often offer better quality and a wider range of shades. They are suitable for intermediate artists who require more precision and control. Prices can range from $10 to $20
- High-end charcoal pencils: These pencils are designed for professional artists or those seeking the highest level of quality. They are often made with superior materials, resulting in smoother application and better blending capabilities. Prices for high-end charcoal pencils can range from $20 to $30 or more
- Specialty or premium charcoal pencils: These pencils may come with additional features, such as extra softness or unique textures. They are often priced higher due to their specialized nature and are sought after by artists looking for specific effects in their artwork. Prices for specialty or premium charcoal pencils can vary, but they generally start around $15 and can go up to $40 or more depending on the brand and features offered
- It is important to note that prices may vary depending on the brand, the quality of materials used, and the quantity of pencils included in a pack. Additionally, individual retailers may also offer occasional discounts or promotions, so it is worth keeping an eye out for potential savings
Frequently Asked Questions about Charcoal Pencils
What are charcoal pencils?
Charcoal pencils are drawing tools that are made from compressed charcoal encased in a wooden barrel or a similar material. They are commonly used by artists and sketchers to create dark and bold lines on paper or other drawing surfaces. The charcoal inside the pencil creates a rich, smoky effect when applied to the surface. Charcoal pencils are versatile and can be used for various drawing techniques, such as shading, blending, and creating fine details. They are favored for their ability to produce deep and expressive marks, making them a popular choice among artists.
How does the texture of charcoal pencils differ from other drawing tools?
The texture of charcoal pencils differs from other drawing tools primarily due to the nature of the material used. Charcoal pencils are made from compressed charcoal, which creates a soft and easily smudgeable texture. This softness allows artists to achieve a wide range of tonal values and create expressive, bold lines. In contrast, other drawing tools such as graphite pencils or colored pencils have a harder texture, resulting in a more controlled and precise mark-making experience. Charcoal pencils also tend to create a darker and more intense black mark, adding depth and richness to drawings. Additionally, the smudging quality of charcoal pencils allows for blending and creating subtle transitions in shading, which can be difficult to achieve with other drawing tools. Overall, the texture of charcoal pencils offers unique expressive possibilities and is favored by artists who seek a more gestural and atmospheric approach in their drawings.
