Faber-Castell Pitt Compressed Charcoal Pencils, Set of 3

Faber-Castell Pitt Compressed Charcoal – charcoal pencils in three grades

The Pitt Compressed Charcoal Pencils from Faber-Castell (art. no. 119999) are compressed charcoal pencils in a set of 3 for drawings with a deep black. The set contains three grades: soft, medium and hard. This lets you work with a single material, from bold areas to finer lines.

The pencils are made of compressed charcoal with soot and clay. The clay binds the material together and makes the different grades possible, while the soot gives the intense black. According to Faber-Castell, they draw a much blacker line than natural charcoal. They are grease- and oil-free and go on softly. The wood is PEFC-certified and comes from responsibly managed forests.

Which grade for what?

The difference from natural charcoal: compressed charcoal gives off more black and is easier to control evenly. The three grades in the set cover different tasks.

• soft: softest application, for large, deep black areas and strong shadows
• medium: for building up the drawing and mid tones
• hard: for finer lines and contours

Working with compressed charcoal

Start with light pressure and build up the intensity gradually, as compressed charcoal covers strongly and is harder to remove than natural charcoal. Use a paper stump or your finger to blend areas into soft transitions. Paper with a little texture holds charcoal better than smooth paper. Fix finished drawings with fixative, as charcoal otherwise smudges easily.

Faber-Castell Pitt Compressed Charcoal set of 3 product details

• Manufacturer: Faber-Castell, Pitt range, art. no. 119999
• Product: Pitt Compressed Charcoal Pencil
• Grades: soft, medium, hard
• Lead composition: compressed charcoal made of soot and clay
• Properties: grease- and oil-free, intense black
• Wood: PEFC-certified
• Contents: 3 pencils in blister pack

You will also need: drawing paper with a little texture, fixative for fixing finished drawings