Derwent Graphic is a range of high quality graphite pencils available in 20 versatile degrees from 9B to 9H. This tin of soft pencils (9B - H) is best suited to expressive sketches and portraiture, medium pencils (6B - 4H) suit design and general drawing and hard pencils (B - 9H) are ideal for detailed illustrations. Make a tonal swatch for each of the Graphic degrees on a strip of card for easy tonal comparison. For quick and effective backgrounds, use a craft knife to scrape graphite from the tip of the pencil and then rub it into the paper with a paper stump. Very hard graphic pencils (e.g. 9H), can be used in a similar way to an indenting tool, particularly good for adding detail to the iris of an eye. To even out the texture of a soft pencil (e.g. 4B), shade over with a slightly harder pencil (HB). To add interest to dark areas, you can add shapes into your drawing with a hard pencil (e.g. 2H), then go over lightly with a softer lead (e.g. 6B) - the harder pencil will show through. Use a paper stump to soften edges and smooth out shading. Don't throw away stubs of paper stumps as these can be used for soft, fine shading. To lift highlights or neaten edges use an eraser shield and battery eraser. Use a Der