Single Drawing Pencils: Build Your Own Grade Set

Posted by

Haanz Team

2026-10-19

On 2026-10-19

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

Buying single drawing pencils is the easiest way to get exactly the grades you use. Instead of a 12-pencil set where half the pencils stay new, you choose the three or four grades your drawing needs, and replace each one when it runs out. This Haanz Art Guide compares the single pencils we stock and suggests simple grade sets for different kinds of drawing.

A quick reminder about grades

H pencils are harder and lighter. B pencils are softer and darker. HB and F sit in the middle. The higher the number, the stronger the effect, so 6H is very hard and pale, and 8B is very soft and dark. For a full explanation, read Drawing Pencil Grades Explained.

Single pencils we stock

DOMS Drawing Pencil. Sold individually in 2B, 3B, 4B, 6B, 8B and 10B. These soft grades are popular with students for shading and sketching.

Mont Marte Graphite Drawing Pencil. Sold individually from 2H, H, F and HB up to 2B, 4B, 6B and 8B, so you can cover light construction lines and dark shadows from one brand.

Camlin Drawing Pencil. A wide range sold individually, from hard grades through HB to very soft B grades, useful for sketching and technical drawing.

Faber-Castell 9000. A well-known artist pencil with smooth, even laydown that you can sharpen to a point or a chisel edge. We stock single grades including 6H, 3H, 2H, H, F, B and 3B.

For everyday writing and light sketching, the Tenwin HB pencil pack gives you 12 HB pencils.

See all single pencils in Individual Drawing Pencils. Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price.

Suggested grade sets

You don’t need every grade. These small groups cover most work:

School drawing and sketching: HB, 2B and 4B.
Pencil shading and portraits: 2H or H for outlines, HB, 2B, 4B and 6B for tones.
Very dark, dramatic drawings: add 8B or 10B for the deepest shadows.
Technical drawing and neat lines: 2H, H and HB.
Light, delicate work such as botanical drawing: 3H, H and F, with one B for accents.

Mixing brands is fine. Many artists use one brand for hard grades and another for soft ones. Just test each pencil on your paper, because a 4B from one brand can look a little different from another.

When a set makes more sense

If you are just starting and don’t yet know which grades you like, a set lets you try them all. The Art Nation Sketch Pencils 12pcs set and the 12 Graded Graphite Pencils Tin Pack both give you a full range. Once you know your favourites, top up with single pencils.

Tips for using graded pencils

Start light. Draw outlines and guidelines with H or HB so they are easy to erase.
Build tone in layers. Go from HB to 2B to 4B rather than pressing hard with one pencil.
Keep soft pencils sharp for detail, and use the side of the lead for wide, soft shading.
Work from top to bottom (or left to right if you are right-handed) to avoid smudging soft grades.

Our pencil shading techniques guide shows how to use these grades together.

Frequently asked questions

Which single pencil should I buy if I can only buy one?

A 2B is a good all-round choice. It is dark enough for shading but still easy to control and erase.

Is 10B too soft for school work?

It is very soft and smudges easily, so use it only for the darkest areas. Most students find 2B to 6B enough.

Why do my soft pencils break when I sharpen them?

Soft leads are fragile. Use a sharp sharpener, turn gently, or sharpen with a craft knife.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you build a pencil set for your drawing.

More Haanz Art Guides