Well, Fabre-Castell just made a sale. You should get a commission! I can’t wait to try a 12B…. WOW! A question… how do the F-C Pitt Graphite Matt pencils take to erasing? I’m assuming that you lay down your lighter areas first and then go in for the dark areas and details later, right? So, keeping really white areas might be a challenge? Do you use masking fluid or just try to be very careful? Do the pencils smudge a lot? Your work is FABulous, Natalie. (Big fan here, btw.) Love your videos, as does Mouse❣️
I am excited for you to try the FC Pitt Graphite Matt! They actually erase really well (if you haven't really ground them into the page). Pretty comparable to regular graphite, I feel. And yep, build those darks up, but I don't think keeping white is an issue, anymore than the usual smudging etc! A good old kneadable eraser is an artists' best friend! I don't use masking fluid at all, actually, even with watercolour, though I did buy some early this year to try (it is still sitting in it's packaging, lol). I want to play with water soluble graphite this next year too - oh, the fun we will have!!
I generally use two sharpeners - a cheap-ish metal one you can find in the supermarket, and a Derwent Superpoint mechanical sharpener. it is the one that I get those lovely long point on. Other than the Staedtler one for my 2mm mechanical pencils, that is all I use! Try rotating your pencil a quarter turn each time you lift the core from the paper - turning it that way will help you keep a point for longer. Alternatively, if you do wear a flat 'chisel', you can rotate to use that point for greater detail too!
Wishing you lots of sketching and laughter and play for chrissy!
Well, Fabre-Castell just made a sale. You should get a commission! I can’t wait to try a 12B…. WOW! A question… how do the F-C Pitt Graphite Matt pencils take to erasing? I’m assuming that you lay down your lighter areas first and then go in for the dark areas and details later, right? So, keeping really white areas might be a challenge? Do you use masking fluid or just try to be very careful? Do the pencils smudge a lot? Your work is FABulous, Natalie. (Big fan here, btw.) Love your videos, as does Mouse❣️
Hello lovely Louise and Mouse!!
I am excited for you to try the FC Pitt Graphite Matt! They actually erase really well (if you haven't really ground them into the page). Pretty comparable to regular graphite, I feel. And yep, build those darks up, but I don't think keeping white is an issue, anymore than the usual smudging etc! A good old kneadable eraser is an artists' best friend! I don't use masking fluid at all, actually, even with watercolour, though I did buy some early this year to try (it is still sitting in it's packaging, lol). I want to play with water soluble graphite this next year too - oh, the fun we will have!!
Such a joy. Have a lovely Christmas. Wishing you all the best for 2025.
(While I think of it, any recommendations on good pencil sharpeners?? They’re my biggest issue. I am NOT good on keeping my pencils sharp. Sigh.)
Oh thank you lovely Beth!
I generally use two sharpeners - a cheap-ish metal one you can find in the supermarket, and a Derwent Superpoint mechanical sharpener. it is the one that I get those lovely long point on. Other than the Staedtler one for my 2mm mechanical pencils, that is all I use! Try rotating your pencil a quarter turn each time you lift the core from the paper - turning it that way will help you keep a point for longer. Alternatively, if you do wear a flat 'chisel', you can rotate to use that point for greater detail too!
Wishing you lots of sketching and laughter and play for chrissy!
Thanks so much. All the best.