This synthetic graphite tends to be less reflective than mineral ‘flake’ graphite, additionally synthetic graphite’s grey hue can be altered by changing the size of the particles that make it up. This leads to the incomplete combustion of the material and production of the form of carbon we know as charcoal. Some portrait artists will use graphite for the hair, eyes and accessories and then charcoal for delicate soft skin tone and for softer more luxurious fabrics. This development for charcoal makes it perfect for producing fine, clean and crisp drawings that you could produce with graphite pencils but with the added benefit that you can produce very deep black matte areas and shades that do not have a shine. Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, life-drawing enthusiast or sketch as a hobby you’ll most likely have used both.

You can also use the side of the stick to create broad consistent strokes, which is completely impossible while using vine charcoal due to its irregular shape. The first thing I do with any new graphite stick is to snap it into different lengths and peel off all the protective wrapping so that I can use the pieces on their sides like a pastel, as well as the points. It is also particularly useful for knocking back highlights by applying it dry, gently to a whole piece without disrupting details.It is worth practicing if you plan to use wet charcoal as the wrong ratio of water to charcoal can create a muddy effects. Because it is less precise it encourages spontaneity, which makes it easier to build up drawings quickly. While the atoms within each layer are bonded very securely, resulting in very stable sheets of graphite, the bonds between the layers are weak, allowing the stable sheets to slip and slide easily over one another (imagine a box of dry lasagna sheets).

We especially like these sticks because you can choose between a non-water-soluble and a water-soluble form—the latter of which blends well with water to create beautiful tones and depth. For example, if you’re attending life drawing classes, you might find the precise nib of a pencil too restrictive. A fascinating fact that proves how closely related these carbon allotropes are is that if you heat charcoal to 2982 degrees Celsius, it turns into graphite!When comparing Charcoal and Graphite side by side, you’ll notice that graphite is less black and more grey than charcoal. Artists charcoal was first made by peeling thin willow twigs and burning them in the absence of oxygen. My soldering skills were almost nonexistent when I started, so there's only the bare minimum of droppers, and rail joiners are relied on for transmitting current.