Sharpening Pencils and Charcoal

As your drawing skills improve, you might find that standard office pencil sharpeners no longer provide the precise, fine point that your drawings require for full expression. Instead, consider learning to sharpen your pencils and charcoal by hand using a traditional knife, like a craft knife, as artist Savannah Tate Cuff demonstrates. Savannah shows you the proper hand position and twirling technique to safely stabilize the pencil and sharpen it with a blade, exposing the graphite while evenly removing the wood. With practice, you’ll achieve a one-inch lead with a sharp, fine point.

Next, take it a step further by using a sandpaper block, or follow Savannah’s instructions to make your own sanding board. Start with a simple base like a wooden cutting board or a piece of plywood, and glue three squares of sandpaper (100, 150, and 200 grits) onto it. Once your sanding board is ready, you’ll repeat the sharpening process, starting with the coarsest grit and moving to the finest.

Finally, try this method with a soft charcoal pencil for stunning results. With your tools properly sharpened, you’ll be all set to draw! Savannah suggests sharpening multiple pencils or charcoal pieces before a drawing session, especially one with a live model, to avoid interrupting your creative flow. Her last tip: save the charcoal dust in a glass jar for use in your artwork.