Introduction to: Graphite (Patreon)

Over the next four weeks we'll be sharing a new series of material introduction videos, focusing on graphite, charcoal, conte crayon and water-soluble drawing media. You can use these videos for reference, skipping forward using the time stamps to find the information and demonstrations most relevant to your work. You'll also find some basic material information, materials facts and inspirational artists to check out listed below! 

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Introduction (from the start)

• Pro's & cons of graphite (2mins)

Introduction to Pencils (5mins 10secs) 

• Pencil Grades (6mins 45secs)
• Sharpening pencils (10mins 10secs)

Introduction to Graphite Sticks (13mins 15secs)

• Mark-making in graphite stick (14mins)
• Sharpening graphite sticks (14mins 40secs)

Introduction to Graphite Powder (16mins 30secs)

• Mark-making in Graphite powder (17mins 10secs)

Introduction to Propelling & Clutch pencils (18mins 25secs)

Other:

• Using Erasers (21mins 45secs)
• Papers to use with graphite (25mins 20secs)
• 30 min Graphite powder & pencil portrait demo (28mins 30secs)
• Historical graphite drawings (58mins 15 secs)
• Water-soluble & 'black' graphite (59mins 57secs)

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Graphite 101

The graphite we draw with is made from powdered graphite mixed with clay; it might also contain wax binders, pigment or a water-soluble component to alter its properties. It is natural grey and shiny and can be used in powder or stick form, or shaped into a pencil core. 

Graphite is graded by on an HB scale (H = Hard, B= Black) with 9H as the hardest grade, HB as a middle grade (roughly the same as the largely obsolete 'F' grade) and 9B as the softest. Faber Castell is soon to release an unusual range of matt graphite, extending to 14B. The photograph below compares grades of pencil brands - each square is shaded with a single grade, with equivalent grades lined up vertically. You can see that some manufacturers do not make a full range of grades, and that the tonal values of equivalent grades is not always directly comparable. 

Graphite facts (impress your friends!):

• Graphite has been in use as a drawing material since 1565, when a natural seam was discovered in Cumbria, England - it was originally used by farmers to mark their sheep.
• Pencil 'leads' are not made from lead. When seams of natural graphite were initially discovered the shiney, grey mineral was original mistaken for 'plumbago', or lead ore. Pencil 'lead' is a misnomer cursed by this mis-understanding and the fact that graphite quickly replaced of metal point as a drawing medium, including lead point. 

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Inspirational artists using graphite today:

Lewis Chamberlain

Lewis Chamberlain is primarily known for his detailed paintings and pencil drawings, often of portraits or children's toys in domestic interiors.  He is a Pollock-Krasner Award winner, a previous winner of the Discerning Eye Competition and has shown in six BP Portrait Awards.  Lewis Chamberlain was born in East Yorkshire in 1966; after graduating from the Slade School of Art in 1988 he lived and worked in London until 2005 and is now based in East Sussex. 

• Visit Lewis Chamberlain's website here: www.lewischamberlain.com  
• Follow Lewis Chamberlain on Instagram: @lewischamberlainart 

Alice by Lewis Chamberlain, pencil on paper

Ian Hodgson

Ian Hodgson primarily works in graphite and pastel pencils - his drawings extend from the figurative through to the abstract. His drawing process often leads to revisiting landscapes, figures and spaces and this reworking of the familiar has allowed Ian’s drawing practice to develop with each new approach, shedding fresh light on his subject matter. An art graduate with a first class honours degree from the Bradford College of Art, he made his home in Brighton where he lived and worked from 2000 until 2020, when he returned to his northern roots in Yorkshire. Now ensconced in a purpose built studio (The Hodgehutch) at the bottom of his garden, he can be found continuing to explore and expand on his drawing practice. 

• Visit Ian Hodgson's website here: www.ian-hodgson.co.uk 
• Follow Ian Hodgson on Instagram: @ian.hodgson 

Kindred Spirits by Ian Hodgson, graphite or paper

Zahra Akbari Baseri 

Zahra Akbari was born in Shiraz, Iran, in 1988. She holds in a diploma in graphic design and a degree in Carpet design from the University of Art and Architecture Ardakan (Yazd) and currently lives and works in London. Zarah Akbari's work has been exhibited at the national portrait gallery BP portrait award 2013 and will be on show at the upcoming Trinity Buoy Warf Drawing prize.

• Find links to Zahra Akbari's work & exhibitions HERE 
• Follow Zahra Akbari on Instagram: @zahrakbari_b 

Fatemeh by Zahra Akbari Baseri, mechanical pencil on paper