To sharpen Faber Castell Pitt pastel pencils using the method described in the reference, you use a sharp blade and your fingers to carefully shave the wood and pastel core.
Sharpening pastel pencils differs from sharpening colored pencils or graphite due to the delicate, powdery nature of the pastel core. A common and effective method, as highlighted in the provided reference, involves using a sharp blade for precise control.
Manual Sharpening with a Blade
This technique allows you to control the shape and length of the point, minimizing breakage of the brittle pastel lead.
Here’s how the process works according to the reference:
- Hold the Pencil: Use your fingers to firmly hold the pencil.
- Rotate: You will need to roll it around or rotate it as you work to expose different sides of the pencil.
- Position the Blade: Place your sharp blade a few mil. below in the wooden. part. (a few millimeters below the start of the wood casing around the pastel core).
- Shave the Wood: Gently glide that up, shaving away thin strips of wood and the pastel core simultaneously or sequentially to form your desired point.
This manual method provides excellent control, allowing you to create a short, blunt tip for broad strokes or a long, fine point for detail work.
Here's a quick summary of the method mentioned:
| Sharpening Tool | Key Action |
|---|---|
| Sharp blade | Glide blade upwards, rotating the pencil as you work |
Remember to always sharpen away from yourself to avoid injury and dispose of the shavings properly.
