Staedtler Mars Lumograph black pencil set HB to 8B, 6 in metal tin

Staedtler Mars Lumograph black – 6 drawing pencils from HB to 8B in a metal tin

The Mars Lumograph black 100B G6 set from Staedtler contains six drawing pencils in the grades HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, 7B and 8B in a metal tin. It is suitable for sketching, drawing, hatching and writing on paper and on matt drawing film.

The lead has a high carbon content and draws matt and deep black. This sets it apart from the classic blue Mars Lumograph. Staedtler states that the special lead formulation and the bonded lead give high break resistance. This protects the point when you work with pressure or if a pencil is dropped. The grade is printed on every pencil, so you can identify it quickly. The wood comes from certified, sustainably managed forests (PEFC), and the pencils are made in Germany.

Which grade for what?

The set covers the range from medium hard to very soft. HB draws finely and suits preliminary sketches, outlines and writing. 2B and 4B are softer and darker; use them for hatching and shading. 6B, 7B and 8B give rich, deep black areas that you can blend with a finger or a blending stump. The softer the lead, the more easily it smudges and the more often you will need to sharpen it.

Drawing tips

Start by sketching lightly with HB or 2B so that corrections can be erased cleanly. Then build up the dark areas with the soft grades. Work from light to dark and place a sheet of paper under your drawing hand so that soft lines do not smudge. You can protect finished drawings made with soft grades with fixative.

Staedtler Mars Lumograph black 100B G6 product details

• Manufacturer: Staedtler, art. no. 100B G6
• Series: Mars Lumograph black
• Contents: 6 pencils in a metal tin
• Grades: HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, 7B, 8B
• Lead diameter: 8B approx. 4.5 mm, 7B to HB approx. 3.6 mm
• Barrel: hexagonal, without eraser
• Wood: from certified, sustainably managed forests (PEFC)
• Origin: made in Germany

You will also need: a sharpener; Staedtler recommends the canister sharpener 511 001 or the Mars double sharpener 510 25. The pencils have no eraser; you will need a separate eraser for corrections.