Discover how graphite and charcoal complement each other in a monochrome drawing. The Royal & Langnickel RD832 contains 28 pieces, including ordinary and woodless pencils, drawing sticks and blending tools. It is a materials set for sketches, portraits and tonal studies; choose suitable drawing paper separately.
What is included?
- 6 graphite pencils; 6 sketching sticks.
- 4 vine charcoal sticks; 3 charcoal pencils; 3 charcoal sticks.
- 1 woodless graphite pencil and 1 woodless charcoal pencil.
- 1 sanding block, 1 blending stump, 1 pencil sharpener and 1 kneaded eraser; 28 pieces in total.
Which set suits your drawing?
Choose RD832 if you already have paper and want to try woodless pencils. Use their points for detail and their sides for broader marks. Ordinary pencils help with outlines, while charcoal and sticks let you practise shaded areas and soft transitions. The 28 pieces are materials and accessories, not 28 different colours.
Making a first tonal study
- Make a test strip with light, middle and dark tones. Vary the pressure and compare graphite with charcoal.
- Sketch a simple object with light lines. Block in the larger shadows first, then add small details.
- Gently soften a transition with the blending stump. Press the kneaded eraser onto a tone to lift highlights; heavily pressed marks are harder to change.
Paper and additional materials
Paper is not included. Use drawing paper for pencil work and a textured paper for charcoal. Fixative is a separate accessory; choose one suited to your materials, test it on a sample and follow its instructions.
Storing your materials and drawings
Soft drawing media can smudge. Protect finished drawings during storage and avoid loose materials rubbing against the paper. Use the sanding block over a catch sheet to refine a point or edge, then remove the dust carefully. Charcoal and woodless pencils can break if dropped or pressed too hard.
Explore charcoal and graphite materials for additions. For an included pad and an extra eraser, see the RD842L sketching set.
