If you have been searching for the best mechanical pencil for drawing, I’ve got you covered. In this article, I am going to refer you to some of the best mechanical pencils for drawing beginners as well as explain to you what makes these pencils worth the hype.
In this article, I will discuss:
- Why are mechanical pencils hyped? And are they worth it?
- What is the difference between a mechanical and a regular pencil?
- How to choose your pencils? + my specific mechanical pencil recommendations.
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Why are mechanical pencils so popular and hyped?
When I started drawing, I knew little to nothing about art supplies and which one was made for what. I went out and bought a set of pencils with different letters and numbers on each one and just sat in my room trying them and figuring out the difference. A couple of years later, I started watching tutorials of people drawing on YouTube and I came across an artist using a mechanical pencil. I decided to give it a try and let me tell you! Life changing. I since then haven’t stopped buying mechanical pencils and trying different brands and models.
If you want to learn what the letters and numbers on regular pencils mean, check out this post.
Are mechanical pencils worth the hype?
Mechanical pencils are super popular and if you ask me, they are definitely worth the hype. They offer great precision, and so much control and help you develop your lines like an absolute pro.
What is the difference between a regular and a mechanical pencil?
A mechanical pencil uses a mechanism to extend and retract the charcoal or lead of the pencil, while e regular pencil is one that is sharpened manually to maintain a pointed tip.
The key differences between both pencils:
- Durability: mechanical pencils last so much longer than regular pencils because they are made of sturdier materials such as metal or plastic. Regular pencils will get smaller as we sharpen them and may even break.
- Refilling: when you get a mechanical pencil, you can keep on getting refills for your lead which isn’t possible with regular pencils and you will have to get a newer pencil when the lead is out or damaged.
- Sizing: artists often prefer mechanical pencils because they come in much smaller sizes than a regular pencil ever could. We can find pencils going from 0.1mm to as wide as 1 or 2mm ones but for the regular ones, there are about 4 standard sizes being manufactured over and over.
- Comfort: Definitely a personal note, but I find mechanical pencils to be lighter and require no pressure to draw with but I know there will be other artists who prefer the grip of a regular pencil.
How to choose your best mechanical pencil for drawing?
The market is full of mechanical pencils and they range from as little as $1 to more expensive ones. When you are picking the best mechanical pencil for you, you will need to take note of your preferences; that means the drawings you are willing to create, the suitable lead size for your drawing style, and your budget of course.
Some key points to keep in mind while looking for the right mechanical pencil to buy
- Lead (tip) size: I would recommend you get two different sizes, one for detail work and base sketch lines from 0.3mm to 0.5mm and a thicker one (0.7mm to 0.9mm or more) for darker and bolder lines.
- Quality: look for mechanical pencils made with sturdy, durable materials. Consider the brand and feel free to look for reviews from other artists or watch videos of the pencil performance.
- Weight: Some good quality mechanical pencils could be so heavy, and while those offer a great amount of control, you may want to find something that is not too heavy and not too light for the perfect ease of use.
- Grip: the grip of your pencil should be comfortable. Avoid slippery pencils and rough ones that could cause fatigue or leave bruises on your fingers.
- Refillability: although mechanical pencils are 80% of the time refillable, sometimes you may come across ones that aren’t. So just because a pencil is mechanical doesn’t mean it’s refillable. A refillable pencil is more cost-effective in the long run even if it may seem expensive at first.
- Price: of course, your budget always plays a significant role in any purchasing decision you make. There are many great high-end mechanical pencils that are absolutely worth every penny, and there are also great affordable dupes that offer the exact same quality for much less.
Where to get the best mechanical pencil for drawing?
I shop for all my supplies at Amazon. Always make sure to read the reviews before you make any purchase because, in my opinion, reviews are a crucial part of any shopping experience.
Here are some of my favorite mechanical pencils that always get me questions when I share them on Pinterest.
The Pentel Graph Gear 1000
For a wider lead, I recommend this one:
2mm Koh-I-Noor Toison D’or Lead Holder
And you could also get the 5.6 mm for an even wider option:
Let me know if you have any further questions about different art topics and enjoy creating <3
