Faber-Castell Castell 9000 Art Set, 12 Pencils 8B–2H

Faber-Castell Castell 9000 Art Set – 12 graphite pencils from 8B to 2H in a metal tin

The Faber-Castell Castell 9000 Art Set (art. no. 119065) contains 12 graphite pencils in grades 8B to 2H, one per grade, in a metal tin. It gives you the full range, from very soft, deep black lines to hard, fine ones, for sketches, studies and artistic drawings.

According to Faber-Castell, the pencils are extra break-resistant and easy to sharpen and erase, and the surface is coated with water-based lacquer. The lead also has Special Bonding (SV). The Castell 9000 has been around since 1905. The tin keeps the pencils together and makes them easy to take with you.

Which grade for what?

The grades fall into three ranges. The higher the number before the B, the softer and darker the line; the higher the number before the H, the harder and lighter it is.

• 8B to 4B: very soft and deep black, for dark areas, strong shadows and loose, expressive strokes
• 3B to HB: mid grades for hatching, gradients and most sketches
• F, H and 2H: hard and light, for fine lines, outlines and preliminary drawings

Using the range of grades

Start a drawing with a hard pencil such as H or 2H and sketch outlines and proportions lightly. Add tones with HB to 2B and put in the deepest shadows last with 6B to 8B. Soft leads smudge more easily, so rest a sheet of paper under your hand as you work. With the eight soft grades from B to 8B, you build up gradients in many small steps instead of pressing hard with a single pencil.

Faber-Castell Castell 9000 Art Set product details

• Manufacturer: Faber-Castell, Castell 9000 series, art. no. 119065
• Contents: 12 graphite pencils, one per grade
• Grades: 8B, 7B, 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H
• Lead: Special Bonding (SV)
• Lacquer: water-based lacquer
• Packaging: metal tin

You will also need: pencil sharpener, eraser and drawing paper