Charcoal pencils generally use a hardness scale similar to graphite pencils, indicated by a combination of letters and numbers.
Here's a breakdown of the common hardness scale for charcoal pencils:
- H (Hard): Hard charcoal pencils create lighter marks and are good for detailed work and initial sketching. An HB pencil would fall in this category as well.
- B (Black): B graded pencils denote softer charcoal. As the number before the B increases (2B, 4B, 6B), the charcoal becomes softer, darker, and lays down more easily.
Therefore, a typical range found in charcoal pencils includes:
- HB (Hard)
- 2B (Medium)
- 4B (Soft)
- 6B (Extra Soft)
Softer charcoal pencils (like 4B and 6B) are ideal for creating rich, dark tones and expressive marks, but they also smudge more easily. Harder charcoal pencils (like HB) are better for precise lines and preventing smudging.
