A wide range of pencils exist, so learning your options will help you bring your creative vision to life. Some pencil types include: Charcoal pencils: Made out of soft, compressed charcoal, these pencils create deep, rich blacks. Charcoal pencils work well for quick sketches or impressionist drawings. Colored pencils: Most artists used colored pencils that are softer than pencils you might use in a classroom. Artist's colored pencils are made from wax or oil combined with various pigments and additives. Standard graphite pencils: You'll find graphite pencils in various sizes. They are typically labeled from 2H to 6B. You'll choose different lead firmness depending on your goals. For example, if you want to try a technique called stippling, which lets you make very small lines, you will want to choose pencils with firm lead. Watercolor pencils: You can mix these water-soluble pencils with standard colored pencils to build vibrant colors.