Derwent Graphite Pencils

I've recently been fortunate enough to have been sent a set of the newly improved Derwent Graphic set to try out. I have to say that my pencil work has usually been reasonably quick sketches as a means to get on to other medium. The darker I need the mark to be the more pressure I apply! I appreciate this isn't the best appraoch but drawing has been a means to an end to a degree,

However, with these new graphite pencils I knew from the off that I should treat them with a degree of respect and perhaps I could try and use them properly.

So I took the time to read up on what other artists had created using this set, especially the remarkable work of Alexis Marcou. His work is stunning and so I went through every grade of graphite from the set to try them out. Each one producing a slightly different mark, all with the same amount of pressure. It felt like a completely different method of working then I usually apply. So I found a subject that might be a little challenging and set about giving them a proper test drive/draw!

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This took a few hours but it's my first attempt to really try and do these graphite pencils justice. I'm pleased with the outcome and have been hugely inspired by the quality of work that some artists have achieved with this set. More details can be found on the Derwent blog here. http://www.lovepencils.co.uk

Now this test sketch is done I'll get going with a more detailed drawing and see what can be achieved. I intend to chart my progress and report back as soon as I can. I'm really looking forward to seeing what I can achieve next.

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