Move from a light outline to deep black shadows with two types of drawing pencil. STAEDTLER Mars Lumograph 61 100C combines six Lumograph black drawing pencils with three charcoal pencils and three accessories. It is a 12-piece set for sketches, portraits and tonal studies, with nine pencils in total.
Exact contents
- 6 Mars Lumograph black drawing pencils: HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, 7B and 8B.
- 3 Mars Lumograph charcoal pencils: S (soft), M (medium) and H (hard).
- 1 paper blending stump for softening transitions.
- 1 kneaded eraser for lifting highlights.
- 1 double-hole pencil sharpener; the set comes in a cardboard box.
Choosing a pencil grade
Lumograph black pencils are designed for matt black lines and tonal areas. HB works for a light initial sketch; softer B grades help with darker accents. Charcoal S gives soft, broad shadows, while H suits a firmer, more controlled line. M falls between them. The S, M and H labels belong to the charcoal pencils and use a different scale from HB to 8B.
Building a tonal study
- Make a test strip with every grade before starting a drawing. Compare the same light pressure on the same paper.
- Draw a simple object with light lines, moving from large shadow areas to small details. Start gently so you can build the tone gradually.
- Soften a transition with the stump and press the kneaded eraser onto the paper to lift light. Heavily pressed dark marks are harder to adjust.
Paper and additional materials
Paper is not included. Choose drawing paper with some texture for charcoal and test how the black pencils behave on it first. A very smooth surface gives loose material less grip. Fixative is not included; use one suited to the drawing medium, test it on a sample and follow its instructions.
Sharpening and protecting your drawing
The charcoal pencils are wood-cased and have cores approximately 4.5 mm wide. Sharpen using a suitable opening and light pressure; collect the shavings and remove drawing dust carefully. Soft black media can smudge. Protect finished drawings during storage and avoid loose pencils rubbing against the paper.
Explore charcoal and graphite materials for additions. To try chalk, sepia or water-soluble graphite as well, compare the different Gioconda Mini drawing sets.
