I am someone who thoroughly dislikes the shine off normal graphite pencils and is frustrated by not getting it dark enough. Thus I absolutely *love* these matt graphite pencils! I can see though, how it would not matter to someone who does not mind the shine and the lighter darks. In the end, it is one of the less expensive drawing and painting supplies, so trying it out does not break the bank.
Another thing to take into consideration is framing and lighting with graphite as once the picture is behind glass and lit correctly I cant say its a problems. The one thing to remember with these pencils is that they still shine it is only reduced and if you have a direct light source pointing at the picture it will still reflect back. In terms of darkness paper can make a difference I find St Cuthberts Saunders Waterford or Arches Aqurelle both take dark tones very well. when I tried these I couldn't see much difference after 4B and none after 8B it was also noticeable that the 14B had way more shine than the rest. Don't know if this was also helpful but like I said paper can make a difference.
The first time I ever drew a hand was 2 years ago. It was a hand holding up the index finger like "we're #1!" After I drew it, I thought, well that's pretty good! So I continued with coloring it with alcohol markers. A few days later I looked at it again. Oh my! The index finger was at least 2 sizes too big. LOL! It's hilarious to me.
Wow that’s realistic looking & yes great exquisite details. I just finished drawing my first hand drawing last week and found it challenging but I was amazed that I did accomplish it. After watching your video I’m thinking about doing something with watercolor wash over a second hand drawing to confirm that I can do hand drawings well. Thanks for sharing this review with us and your drawing techniques. I just got a Windsor & Newton set of pencils to try.
I am one of those weirdos that dislikes shiny art. After starting with acrylics in my teens, I avoided them for decades because they looked so "plasticky" and fake. I know it is just a preference, but glare bothers me. Maybe it breaks my suspension of disbelief. But matte pencils? Yes!!! Thanks for this review! They have been in my shopping cart for a while now. Looks like time to buy them!
I don't like shiny acrylics either! Fortunately there are some nice matte ones out there now - a few acrylic "gouache" lines, and Golden has a new matte line as well. It seems to be a trend.
I just saw an add about this pencils a few minutes ago, never heard about them before. And today you decided to review them what a coincidence 😊💕 thank you I really trust your opinions.
Hi Steve - Jim again (New Yorker) from Madrid - Spain... I bought my set of Faber Castell Matt Pit (the smaller set, though, only up to #12 and no extras in the box) and I've been using them for several months (since Sept) and they are great!!! Very, very limited shine (which also drove me nuts with regular graphite) and very smooth when drawing (not as sift as charcoal, but pretty good). I never tried, though, using liquid charcoal with graphite (I usually use other blenders as with my coloured pencils, also Faber Castell), but I really liked your results with the hand! Nice results and great drawing!!! Love your channel all the way across the pond!
Really nice video. 👍🖐👉I think you did a great job. I don't always go looking for film clips in art videos, but when I do I know I can count on you to make my day! You never fail to inspire.
I'd heard they discontinued Bee Paper. I very much enjoyed that paper. Awesome hand, Steve, @The Mind of Watercolor! I do a lot of graphite, but I also use carbon, charcoal, staedtler blacks, etc., with my graphite. I've been staring at these for some time. That 14B! Thank you for the video.
Have these pencils, found them a little scratchy, and difficult in details. I prefer. Staedtler Mars Lumograph black. They are actually darker with 8b and just as matt.
So glad to see your review! It is funny because I ached yesterday over which graphite pencils to order and I ended up going with the Faber Castell 9000 set and they just arrived today.... So your review was perfect timing for me and made me feel very happy about my choice 🎉
You work is spectacular! I Love it! I ordered a set of 6 out of curiosity but never minded the shine of graphite though. I actually like regular graphite because it has that duo-monochrome thing happening. I would love seeing more reviews on graphite options. I know Staedtler graphite pencils have a 12B. They are regular graphite shine and all.
Your drawing looks great. I think the thing about hands looking weird as you draw them, is like when you say a word too many times, and it starts to sound strange!
I'm surprised it took this long for this. Wish someone would design a charcoal pencil using willow or vine charcoal with a binder. General's pencils are okay for some things, but not others.
It is a beautiful pencil set, personally I have 2 Steadtler Mars Black which I have yet to use. Therefore as curious as I am I need to be honest and know I won’t use these pencils pass the initial time. Hey Steve, have you bought an art medium or supplies that you were truly curious about just to discover that you rarely use it since and you are not too particular for it?
I really enjoy the non shiny graphite pencils. I bought the Staedler brand that I think included 5 but they are super for sketching too. FC has a nice package with the accessories. I just wanted something that would work with charcoal but without the mess and shine. When you pulled out the tube of graphite I thought it was watercolor. I have a very granulating Mars brown and black from Maimeri and thought I might use those for some figure studies. They were also used to granulate other colors instead of buying super granulating expensive wc. Sounds like a great sketching time even if it is sketching my mother sleeping in her recliner. :)
Just to clarify, the tube is watercolor. It's called liquid charcoal but it's the same basic ingredient as other watercolor blacks. The only difference is they use a different vegetable matter to char.
Density talk got me thinking about Sennelier for some reason, and then I realised that I'd never heard you talk of their watercolours in the past. Any chance for a video on that?
I have a small pan set I use on location occasionally. It's good paint. Here is one of those location episodes using Sennelier. ua-cam.com/video/g-9XNiQDtuw/v-deo.html
The shininess of graphite bothered me. I mix it with charcoal pencil to get the darks. Then spray with fixative on top to get rid of shininess. Will try these instead.
As a newbe, this does look very realistic, so what is the difference between creating hyper realistic from even something like this Hand? Would it just be the values?
Hyper realistic usually refers to photo realism where it's difficult to tell whether it's art or a photo. When use of the medium can be seen such as pencil marks or brush strokes it's not usually thought of as hyper realism.
Funny how the mind plays tricks on you, just checked my watercolour pencils and they are Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer ones, and not triangular at all but hexagonal haha. I’ve not used them much as they didn’t fit my sharpener. Thank you for your help.
I do not need more pencils......i dont do enough drawing to justify half my pencil collection. Am i excited about 14B.....yes....darnit. oh no.... and its faber castell.....i love faber castell....aw crap willpower is fading. 🙈
@@mindofwatercolor oh like that helps.....you know us pencil addicts have to have the whole set. Its so embarrassing when the package comes and i get all excited and happy about yet more pencils. No one i know understands. You should start another channel on youtube for art supply junkies and some kind of therapy for hoarding tubes of watercolor?
I am someone who thoroughly dislikes the shine off normal graphite pencils and is frustrated by not getting it dark enough. Thus I absolutely *love* these matt graphite pencils! I can see though, how it would not matter to someone who does not mind the shine and the lighter darks.
In the end, it is one of the less expensive drawing and painting supplies, so trying it out does not break the bank.
Another thing to take into consideration is framing and lighting with graphite as once the picture is behind glass and lit correctly I cant say its a problems. The one thing to remember with these pencils is that they still shine it is only reduced and if you have a direct light source pointing at the picture it will still reflect back. In terms of darkness paper can make a difference I find St Cuthberts Saunders Waterford or Arches Aqurelle both take dark tones very well. when I tried these I couldn't see much difference after 4B and none after 8B it was also noticeable that the 14B had way more shine than the rest. Don't know if this was also helpful but like I said paper can make a difference.
Best demo so far of these pencils and lovely drawing.
Thank you so much 😀
The first time I ever drew a hand was 2 years ago. It was a hand holding up the index finger like "we're #1!" After I drew it, I thought, well that's pretty good! So I continued with coloring it with alcohol markers. A few days later I looked at it again. Oh my! The index finger was at least 2 sizes too big. LOL! It's hilarious to me.
That story is adorable! Thanks for sharing it!
I love your illustration style. Excellent video.
Not only do you inspire me to draw and watercolor....you inspire me to make many purchases. :) Thanks for the links!
Water colour sketchbook? Amazing, I never knew they existed. Thank you for that :D
I really like how the hand turned out and the techniques, all new to me. Thank you
Wow that’s realistic looking & yes great exquisite details. I just finished drawing my first hand drawing last week and found it challenging but I was amazed that I did accomplish it. After watching your video I’m thinking about doing something with watercolor wash over a second hand drawing to confirm that I can do hand drawings well. Thanks for sharing this review with us and your drawing techniques. I just got a Windsor & Newton set of pencils to try.
I am one of those weirdos that dislikes shiny art. After starting with acrylics in my teens, I avoided them for decades because they looked so "plasticky" and fake. I know it is just a preference, but glare bothers me. Maybe it breaks my suspension of disbelief. But matte pencils? Yes!!! Thanks for this review! They have been in my shopping cart for a while now. Looks like time to buy them!
I don't like shiny acrylics either! Fortunately there are some nice matte ones out there now - a few acrylic "gouache" lines, and Golden has a new matte line as well. It seems to be a trend.
@@leslierobertson385 No matt acrylics needed, simply use a matt varnish afterwards.
I like your hand drawing. And I still love FC 9000.
I’m one of those people who can’t draw hands, so this was interesting to watch - thanks!
I just saw an add about this pencils a few minutes ago, never heard about them before. And today you decided to review them what a coincidence 😊💕 thank you I really trust your opinions.
Hi Steve - Jim again (New Yorker) from Madrid - Spain...
I bought my set of Faber Castell Matt Pit (the smaller set, though, only up to #12 and no extras in the box) and I've been using them for several months (since Sept) and they are great!!! Very, very limited shine (which also drove me nuts with regular graphite) and very smooth when drawing (not as sift as charcoal, but pretty good).
I never tried, though, using liquid charcoal with graphite (I usually use other blenders as with my coloured pencils, also Faber Castell), but I really liked your results with the hand! Nice results and great drawing!!! Love your channel all the way across the pond!
Well drawn, I like how there is a bit of glowing on the Palm. 👍
Hands seem to be a common teaching model. Remembering back 50 plus years ago.
Really nice video. 👍🖐👉I think you did a great job. I don't always go looking for film clips in art videos, but when I do I know I can count on you to make my day! You never fail to inspire.
you. really are a true artist. this was amazing.
That's an interesting idea - to wash graphite/charcoal with water. Never tried it )
Simple and sweet! Nice review Steve. You have the knack for getting right to the point and your viewers appreciate it. Have a grand day!
Yeah, Steve sure can get the lead out.
I'd heard they discontinued Bee Paper. I very much enjoyed that paper. Awesome hand, Steve, @The Mind of Watercolor! I do a lot of graphite, but I also use carbon, charcoal, staedtler blacks, etc., with my graphite. I've been staring at these for some time. That 14B! Thank you for the video.
Have these pencils, found them a little scratchy, and difficult in details. I prefer. Staedtler Mars Lumograph black. They are actually darker with 8b and just as matt.
So glad to see your review! It is funny because I ached yesterday over which graphite pencils to order and I ended up going with the Faber Castell 9000 set and they just arrived today.... So your review was perfect timing for me and made me feel very happy about my choice 🎉
Great set. You’ll love it.
You work is spectacular! I Love it! I ordered a set of 6 out of curiosity but never minded the shine of graphite though. I actually like regular graphite because it has that duo-monochrome thing happening. I would love seeing more reviews on graphite options. I know Staedtler graphite pencils have a 12B. They are regular graphite shine and all.
Your drawing looks great. I think the thing about hands looking weird as you draw them, is like when you say a word too many times, and it starts to sound strange!
YES!
Enjoyed the video well done
I'm surprised it took this long for this. Wish someone would design a charcoal pencil using willow or vine charcoal with a binder. General's pencils are okay for some things, but not others.
It is a beautiful pencil set, personally I have 2 Steadtler Mars Black which I have yet to use. Therefore as curious as I am I need to be honest and know I won’t use these pencils pass the initial time. Hey Steve, have you bought an art medium or supplies that you were truly curious about just to discover that you rarely use it since and you are not too particular for it?
Yes quite often. In my position I feel it’s still important to look at supplies I think might be important for others to know about.
@@mindofwatercolor As an art UA-camr myself I truly understand.
this is amazing
I really enjoy the non shiny graphite pencils. I bought the Staedler brand that I think included 5 but they are super for sketching too. FC has a nice package with the accessories. I just wanted something that would work with charcoal but without the mess and shine. When you pulled out the tube of graphite I thought it was watercolor. I have a very granulating Mars brown and black from Maimeri and thought I might use those for some figure studies. They were also used to granulate other colors instead of buying super granulating expensive wc. Sounds like a great sketching time even if it is sketching my mother sleeping in her recliner. :)
Just to clarify, the tube is watercolor. It's called liquid charcoal but it's the same basic ingredient as other watercolor blacks. The only difference is they use a different vegetable matter to char.
@@mindofwatercolor thank you
Sorry... I meant "soft" not "sift" in my previous comment... My "smartphone"... yeah, right! - Thumbs up!
Looks nice. Would less shiny might be nice for taking images compared to just graphite?
Yes, reflectivity can make the darks appear less dark.
Wow, the most dark I use was 8 B and in some time black ink to compensate. Now I saw a more dark pen hmmm...
Awesome! What kind of paper did you use?
Bee 100% cotton watercolor paper. It's listed in the description.
Density talk got me thinking about Sennelier for some reason, and then I realised that I'd never heard you talk of their watercolours in the past. Any chance for a video on that?
I have a small pan set I use on location occasionally. It's good paint. Here is one of those location episodes using Sennelier. ua-cam.com/video/g-9XNiQDtuw/v-deo.html
The shininess of graphite bothered me. I mix it with charcoal pencil to get the darks. Then spray with fixative on top to get rid of shininess. Will try these instead.
Please,which fixative do you use, that can hide the sine from the graphite?
As a newbe, this does look very realistic, so what is the difference between creating hyper realistic from even something like this Hand? Would it just be the values?
Hyper realistic usually refers to photo realism where it's difficult to tell whether it's art or a photo. When use of the medium can be seen such as pencil marks or brush strokes it's not usually thought of as hyper realism.
How do they compare to an Ebony pencil?
Its been a while since I've used one but if memory serves they have all the normal shine of standard graphite. Mine was something like a 6B or so.
What electric sharpener have you found that successfully sharpens Faber Castell triangular pencils, that don’t fit in mine please?
Wish I could answer but I don’t own any triangular pencils. Sorry. The Xacto school pro has a triangular port but I can’t attest to its effectiveness.
Thank you. Oh I’m sorry I thought the ones you were reviewing were triangular.
@@ArtAndAnimalsAlways aah, ok. No they’re standard size hexagonal pencils.
BTW here is what I use to sharpen.
How I Sharpen All My Art Pencils *PLUS* A New Pencil Sharpener Review
ua-cam.com/video/S855Ej5mOf4/v-deo.html
Funny how the mind plays tricks on you, just checked my watercolour pencils and they are Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer ones, and not triangular at all but hexagonal haha. I’ve not used them much as they didn’t fit my sharpener. Thank you for your help.
I do not need more pencils......i dont do enough drawing to justify half my pencil collection. Am i excited about 14B.....yes....darnit. oh no.... and its faber castell.....i love faber castell....aw crap willpower is fading. 🙈
The individual pencils are available open stock. 😁
@@mindofwatercolor oh like that helps.....you know us pencil addicts have to have the whole set. Its so embarrassing when the package comes and i get all excited and happy about yet more pencils. No one i know understands. You should start another channel on youtube for art supply junkies and some kind of therapy for hoarding tubes of watercolor?
@@stephw1363 the struggle is real
@@egon2012 oh a pencil collector and a ghostbusters fan too? Remember not to cross the streams Egon. 👍
Comprehensive!
Do they erase well?
Yes, same as standard graphite.
Hands are the MOST difficult.
Is this hand drawn?
Nice dad joke!
Certainly photographs better I think
What are the silly interruptions to your wonderful presentation?