Finding a Store

• 1). Find stores that sell drawing pencils in your area. You may find good drawing pencils at artist supply stores, discount craft stores and even big superstores. Another option is buying on the Internet. There are many websites offering discounted art supplies (see Resources below).
  
  
• 2). Learn how to distinguish between the different grades of lead. Basic drawing pencils are graded by the softness or hardness of their lead. The softer the lead, the darker your mark will be. The harder the lead, the lighter the mark will be. Harder leads also make more precise lines, which are great for preliminary sketches. Softer leads blend and smudge more easily, and are great for shading.
  
  
• 3). Study how leads are graded. Here is a guide:
  7H-9H are extremely hard
  4H-6H are very hard
  3H-4H are hard
  H-2H are medium hard
  HB-F are medium
  B-2B are medium soft
  3B-4B are soft
  4B-6B are very soft
  7B-9B are extremely soft
  Keep this list handy when you go shopping. It is good to have pencils of varying hardness and softness. As you experiment with the pencils, you will learn which ones you use the most.
  
  

What to Buy

• 1). Buy a variety of different lead grades. Buy at least two hard, soft and medium lead pencils.
  
  
• 2
  
  
  Pick up a few charcoal pencils. Charcoal has a very smooth consistency and can produce very dark marks. It produces a matte effect and doesn't look shiny like the graphite pencils. It is also great for blending.
  
  
• 3). Check out the selection of water-soluble pencils. You can paint over your drawing with water, and the drawing takes on an inky look. They are not necessary for beginning drawers, but a fun option to think about later.
  
  
• 4). Buy a set of colored pencils if you are advanced and would like to go beyond black and gray pencils. They come in hundreds of hues and can be bought individually or by the set.
  
  

Individually or Packaged

• 1). Buy a basic drawing kit if you are just starting out. Kits have a set of preselected drawing pencils with a good range of hard, medium and soft leads. They usually contain an eraser and pencil sharpener, too. Buying in a kit usually will save you some money.
  
  
• 2). Buy pencils individually if you already have a collection of drawing pencils. That way you won't end up with more than you need of a certain kind.
  
  
• 3). Buy good-quality pencils. Low-quality lead can be inconsistent and have hard chunks that can rip the paper or change the line quality.