What are pencils? Instruments for writing and drawing, consisting of a thin stick of graphite or similar substance enclosed in long thin piece of wood. PENCILS crayon techniques Pencil Gradient– ranging from a very hard, light-marking pencil to a very soft, black. Marking pencil usually ranges from hardest to softest as follows: 9H 8H 7H 6H 5H 4H 3H 2H H F HB B 2B 3B 4B 5B 6B 7B 8B 9B Hardest > Medium > Softest > Graphite pencils – are solid sticks of graphite, about the diameter of a common pencil, which have no casing. Watercolour techniques Coloured pencils – (or pencil crayons) these have a wax-like core with pigment. Tone – these are designed for use with watercolour techniques. The pencils can be used by themselves for sharp, bold lines. Strokes made by the pencil can also be saturated with water and spread with a brush. Multiple colours – are often blended together or layered.