Drawing & Sketching: Pencils
Graphite came into widespread use following the discovery of a large graphite deposit in Borrowdale, England in 1564. Graphite left a darker mark than lead, but was so soft and brittle that it required a holder. At first, sticks of graphite were wrapped in string. Later, the graphite was inserted into wooden sticks that had been hollowed-out by hand. The wood-cased pencil was born! The first mass-produced pencils were made in Nuremberg, Germany in 1662. There, an active pencil industry developed with famous companies like Faber-Castell established in 1761, Lyra, Staedtler and others growing throughout the 19th century industial revolution. Other early U.S. manufacturers that helped industrialize pencil making in the United States were Joseph Dixon Crucible Company (now Dixon Ticonderoga) and a number of factories established in New York and New Jersey towards the end of the 19th century by immigrants from the German industry including Faber Castell, Eberhard Faber, Eagle Pencil Company (Later Berol) and General Pencil Company.
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ArtGraf Water-soluble Graphite Sticks 11/18/11 NZD $15.20
These water-soluble graphite sticks contain blended graphite and binders allowing the sticks to be used dry for drawing. They can be used dry or wet and allow artists to achieve a wide range of washes and graphite grays ranging from the deepest blacks to more subtle, transparent grays. The graphite is erasable once dry and is great for adding texture and depth to sketches and watercolor paintings. Pack of 2
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ArtGraf Soft Carbon Pencils 11/18/11 NZD $8.40
These soft carbon pencils feature rich matte black leads that provide ultra-smooth and consistent strokes. They offer excellent blending and shading properties.
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Pentel GraphGear 500 Mechanical Pencils 03/30/11 NZD $14.95
4 itemsThe GraphGear series offers students and professionals automatic drafting pencils for technical drawing and general writing. The 500 series has a metallic mesh grip on a slim, beveled barrel with a 4mm fixed sleeve. It is available in .3mm (bronze barrel), .5mm (black barrel), .7mm (blue barrel) and .9mm (silver barrel) points.
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Prismacolor Turquoise Pencils 03/21/11 NZD $2.60
20 itemsFine quality drawing pencils measured by the toughest, stringent standards. With consistent grading, strong opacity, clean erasability and precise line definition. Berol uses modern production techniques and old-fashioned materials such as the clear, aromatic California cedar that is used to encase every quality tested lead. Eraser-less, hexagon-shaped, turquoise blue finish with silver tip.
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Prismacolor Ebony Pencil 02/04/11 NZD $2.00
Round shape, black steel polish; very black, large diameter lead. Soft smooth and strong.
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Pentel Sharp 0.5mm Automatic Pencil 11/16/10 NZD $12.50
Engineered for balance and precision, the Pentel Sharp mechanism automatically advances lead directly from the storage chamber. Ideal for professionals and students.
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Sharpie Liquid Pencil 09/24/10 NZD $5.95
This pencil features an innovative liquid graphite formulation that eliminates the problem of broken pencil leads. This formulation allows users to erase whatever they’ve written for up to 24 hours, after which the liquid graphite becomes permanent. The non-toxic liquid graphite lays down smooth like a pen, but erases like a pencil. It is equivalent to a 0.5mm No. 2 pencil and the barrel has a specially designed soft grip for comfortable writing.
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Koh-i-Noor Carpenter Pencil 04/15/10 NZD $1.40
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Wolff's Carbon Pencils 07/21/09 NZD $3.30
4 itemsThe carbon pencil is the perfect combination of charcoal and graphite. It has a fine grain, and goes on smoothly and precisely in rich, velvety, matte black lines. Carbon pencils have a consistent softness, for superior blending and texture. The 5mm core is encased within a natural cedar wood barrel, making the pencils easy to use, and easy to sharpen for detail work. They are available in four degrees of hardness — B (hardest), 2B, 4B, or 6B (softest).
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Rotring Tikky Mechanical Pencils 03/26/09 NZD $9.50
4 itemsClassic design mechanical pencils. Ergonomic wave grip for control while writing and drawing. Button, clip and tip are non-tarnishing.
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Staedtler Mars Micro Mechanical Pencils 01/25/09 NZD $13.30
4 itemsMechanical pencil for drawing and writing withISO colour coding andnon-slip rubber grip zone.Metal clip, push-button and tip.Pocket-safe thanks to retractable metal lead sleeve.Cylindrical lead sleeve, ideal for use with rulers and templates. Cushioned lead for high level of break resistance.Easy to refill with "12-a-go" Mars micro carbon mechanical pencil leads.4 line widths: 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm and 0.9mm
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Staedtler Noris Maxi 827 01/20/09 NZD $1.40
High-quality pencil The 5 degrees make it ideal for school and office use Especially break-resistant thanks to super-bonded lead Easy to erase Easy to sharpen with any quality sharpener2 items -
Koh-i-Noor Hardmuth 1820 01/20/09 NZD $2.90 2 items
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Progresso 8911 01/20/09 NZD $2.00 4 items
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Pitt Pure Graphite 2900 01/20/09 NZD $5.50
4 itemsSolid graphite, lacquer coated for use like a pencil. Can be sharpened like a conventional wood-cased pencil. Suitable for expressive shading of large areas.
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Grease Pencils 01/20/09 NZD $1.50
7 itemsThese acid-free pencils are ideal for writing on most surfaces, including photos, plastic, wood, tile, ceramics, tole, glass, transparencies, shrink plastic, and other hobby and fine art applications. They're also ideal for marking photos for cropping and labeling, or to create rich, dense, aquarelle effects.
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Faber-Castell Executive Pencil 01/20/09 NZD $12.90 2 items
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Faber-Castell Graphite Sticks 01/20/09 NZD $5.95 4 items
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Faber-Castell 9000 Pencils 01/20/09 NZD $2.00
7 itemsSince 1905, this top quality pencil with superior black leads, made of very finely ground graphite and clay, has been a favorite among artists, as well as for precision, technical drafting.
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Derwent Wash Pencil 01/20/09 NZD $2.00 3 items
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Derwent Sketching Pencil 01/20/09 NZD $2.00
3 itemsA wonderful choice for free style sketches and bold line drawings, allowing complete and spontaneous freedom of expression. The soft, extra wide graphite strip sweeps smoothly across the paper for a fast, even lay down of tone but is equally suitable for more detailed work. Derwent Sketching comes in three versatile degrees which blend together beautifully, creating subtle variations in tone and mood.
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Staedtler Lumograph Pencils 01/20/09 NZD $3.30
16 itemsPremium-quality pencil for writing, drawing and sketching on paper and matt drafting film, the wide range of degrees makes Lumograph the ideal tool for artists and graphic designers.
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Koh-i-Noor Graphite Stick 01/20/09 NZD $2.00 2 items
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Derwent Drawing Pencils 01/20/09 NZD $2.50
24 itemsThis is drawing at its most natural, both in the exquisite colour range and the creative potential of this unique and rewarding pencil. Drawing has an extra wide, creamy textured strip which produces a beautifully soft, velvety finish. It is the perfect medium for wildlife and nature studies, natural portraiture and dreamy, evocative landscapes. Drawing is available in 24 subtle shades, including a wide selection of traditional sepia tones together with soft neutral greys, greens, blues and creams.
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Faber-Castell Vario L Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm 10/21/08 NZD $23.50
Fixed lead sleeve for drafting with adjustable degree indicator. Cushioned lead for writing, with an extra long propelling eraser.
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Staedtler Noris Clutch Pencil 10/21/08 NZD $12.40
Leadholder for drawing, sketching and writing.Holds 2 mm leads. Comes with HB lead.
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Staedtler Mars Technico Clutch Pencil 10/21/08 NZD $22.80
Leadholder for drawing, sketching and writing. Holds 2mm leads. Has a metal clip, push-button and grip zone a lead pointer is integrated in the push-button. Comes withHB lead.
Integrated lead pointer:
Simply remove the push-button, insert the lead into the metal opening and sharpen.
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Progresso Aquarell 10/21/08 NZD $2.75
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Koh-i-Noor Hardmuth Automatic Lead Holder 10/21/08 NZD $21.50
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Koh-I-Noor 5201 Clutch Lead Holder 10/21/08 NZD $8.00 Out of Stock
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Faber-Castell Grip Pencil 2001 HB 10/21/08 NZD $1.70
Faber-Castell's Grip Pencils are a really significant improvement over conventional wooden-case pencils. They combine an ergonomic triangular shape with a soft-grip zone. The result is more comfortable and tireless writing. The lead is break-resistant, dermatologically tested, and easy-to-sharpen.
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Staedtler Ergosoft 2B 10/21/08 NZD $3.20
Thick learner's pencil Unique, non-slip soft surface Perfect ergonomics thanks to triangular shape Especially break-resistant thanks to super-bonded lead Easy to erase Easy to sharpen with any quality sharpener Ideal learner's pencil Lead diameter: 3 mm
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Black Beauty Pencil 874 10/21/08 NZD $2.50
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Aristochrom Multicolour Pencil 10/21/08 NZD $1.50
How to buy
Note: we do not deliver outside New Zealand.
Enter the quantity and click "add to cart". When you are ready to pay for your order proceed to checkout. Payment is made by credit card on a secure server using Paypal. Alternatively you may pay by "bank deposit" or by phone on 09 489 7213.
Delivery Rates
Our delivery rates are:
- Prepaid A4 Satchel (nationwide): $5 per order †
- Local (North Shore): $5.50 per order *
- Shorthaul (within 150kms): $7.50 per order *
- Rest of North Island: $9.30 per order *
- South Island: $10.40 per order *
† Prepaid Satchel is available for some smaller items that will fit into an A4 envelope. Please do not select the satchel option if your goods are breakable, easily damaged or flammable.
* Oversized items may be charged an additional amount - once you have selected the items you need proceed to checkout to see the exact costs.
Rural delivery fee $3.30
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