I looked at those rotating-lead pencils! They probably wouldn’t be good for long lines or shading techniques though because the lead doesn’t rotate until you lift the pencil from the page.
I bought a KUM sharpener recently and am looking to buy another long-point sharpener of theirs. Definitely value for money, there!
Oh yeah. I hand write the things that are most important.
That is not what they are made for, indeed. But they are good for writing and for hatching, where you lift the pencil regularly. I like them, but they are not the only ones I would use. It takes all kinds, and I want them all.
Oh what a wonderful hijack! Shall we start with the surface of the thickness of the paper?
I know what you mean about a fountain pen with just the right amount of feedback.
Hmmmmm Might be time for a new pen???
Now that standardized testing is all on line, there is absolutely no need for pencils for any purpose whatsoever. They are virtually obsolete. Even pens are getting scarcer and scarcer.
I looked into the rotating-lead pencils and discovered they might not be the best for drawing. Softer, darker graphite alternating with lighter, harder tones is what drawing is all about. So, I’m going for various wood case pencils & European metal sharpeners.
You know? I NEED a fountain pen dedicated to permanent ink now!
I notice you are specifically asking about washable graphite. That does, indeed, seem like an artistic use akin to watercolour. For normal writing, people use graphite pencils (just mind you don’t smear) but I sure never used washable graphite. There are also those aniline indelible pencils, but I’ve never used those to write with.
Indeed, the right sort of ink will not smear like a pencil. A lot of drawing ink will instantly destroy a fountain pen, if that is what you want to use, so be sure you buy ink specifically designed for such use (also some ink is deliberately designed to be washable while others are completely waterproof, etc.; get what you need)
PS and we are back to mentioning water-soluble graphite versus ink, again, that is not for writing though!
I’m down for a paper hijack.
It blew my mind when I learned that many watercolor painters use 100% cotton paper!
What’s wrong with it? Too absorbent?
If you don’t use pencils, you’ll never get a chance to use these weird sharpeners.
Nothing is wrong with it, much better quality, particularly the durability. Formerly most paper was made of cotton (rags), until around 1900 wood pulp took over. Much cheaper, but tends to be acidic and to deteriorate. For legal documents at least 25% cotton is still the norm. And artists want their works to last.
Nothing wrong. It’s desirable.
The cotton dries more slowly, allowing time for blending, washes, and other techniques I’m just now learning about.
I thought it was weird that a popular sharpener brand from Germany is “KUM”!
I like mechanical pencils.
I have one of these. I use it for colored pencil drawings - it’s amazing! And cheap.
I’ve never golfed, but I’m guessing that a sharpener for colored pencils might be worth a try?
Is there like a ‘short point’ sharpener available?
There is this kind with multiple holes:
Or just use a pen-knife or scalpel…
They’re not even close to obsolete, especially in public school settings.
Even online standardized tests are accompanied by pencils and paper, either for taking notes or for doing math problems.