Charcoal Pencils for Drawing, Set of 22, Professional Drawin
✅ PROS
- Full hardness range (soft, medium, hard) covers everything from deep blacks to fine detail work
- Compressed charcoal core is densely packed — resists snapping during sharpening and heavy-handed strokes
- Minimal dust and smudging compared to stick charcoal, making it ideal for studio and travel work
❌ CONS
- Soft grades (6B-8B) need frequent sharpening — expect to re-point every 10-15 minutes of active use
- Wood casing is slightly thicker than premium brands like General's, which can feel bulky for tight linework
The Verdict
If you’re tired of charcoal pencils that snap mid-stroke or crumble into dust the moment you apply pressure, this 22-piece set deserves a hard look. It’s not just another bulk pack — it’s a thoughtfully assembled kit that covers the full spectrum of charcoal work, from feather-light sketching to dense, velvety blacks.
What you actually get
The set includes 22 pencils spanning hard (2H, H, HB), medium (B, 2B, 3B, 4B), and soft (5B, 6B, 7B, 8B) grades. That’s the complete range you need for realistic portraiture, architectural rendering, or expressive gesture drawing. Each pencil is double-capped with protective tips, which matters more than you’d think — I’ve received sets where half the points arrived broken. That’s not the case here.
Beyond the pencils, you get a sandpaper sharpening block, a kneaded eraser, and a chamois cloth for blending. The sandpaper block is genuinely useful for achieving a needle-sharp point on soft charcoal, which standard sharpeners struggle with. The kneaded eraser is standard quality, but the chamois is a nice touch for smooth tonal gradations.
Performance and build quality
The compressed charcoal core is the star here. It’s dense — noticeably more packed than budget sets I’ve tested. What does that mean in practice? Less breakage, smoother layering, and better adhesion to toothy paper. When I tested the 6B on cold-press watercolor paper, it laid down rich, consistent strokes without skipping or leaving gritty particles.
The medium grades (2B-4B) handle detail work surprisingly well. I was able to maintain a sharp point for extended crosshatching without the tip disintegrating. The hard grades (2H-H) are firm enough for precise linework and light value mapping, though they’re not as crisp as graphite for ultra-fine details — that’s just the nature of charcoal.
One thing that impressed me: the pencils don’t smear as aggressively as stick charcoal. I could rest my hand on finished areas without muddling the values, which is a huge quality-of-life improvement for right-handed artists working left-to-right.
What buyers consistently praise
Scrolling through the 240 ratings, a few themes jump out. One verified buyer wrote, “I’ve used these to fill an entire sketchbook over two months — only one pencil snapped and that was my fault for dropping it on tile.” Another noted, “Finally a set where every single pencil is usable. No duds, no rock-hard cores that won’t lay down pigment.” The consistency across grades is a recurring compliment, which tells me quality control is solid.
Where it falls short
Let’s be honest about the tradeoffs. The soft grades (6B-8B) burn through quickly. If you’re doing large-scale tonal work, you’ll be sharpening constantly — every 10 to 15 minutes of active use. That’s not a defect; it’s physics. But it means the 8B pencil will be the first to go, and you can’t buy replacements individually. You’ll need to buy a full set again or supplement with a single-grade refill pack from another brand.
The wood casing is also slightly thicker than premium alternatives. For artists who grip near the tip for precise control, this can feel a bit chunky. It’s a minor gripe, but noticeable if you’re coming from General’s or Faber-Castell.
Who should buy this
- Art students and hobbyists — this gives you the full range to experiment without a hefty investment.
- Urban sketchers and plein air artists — the durability and minimal dust make it ideal for working outdoors.
- Portrait and figure artists — the soft grades handle skin tones and shadows beautifully.
Skip it if you’re a professional who needs exact consistency across multiple boxes, or if you exclusively work with stick charcoal and prefer its broader strokes.
FAQ
Q: Are these pencils waterproof or smudge-proof? A: No. Like all charcoal, they’re water-soluble and will smudge if touched. Use a fixative spray to preserve finished work. The compressed core smudges less than soft stick charcoal, but it’s not permanent without sealing.
Q: Do they work on regular printer paper? A: They’ll function, but you’ll get better results on paper with tooth — sketch paper (at least 60 lb) or drawing paper. Smooth paper won’t grip the charcoal particles well, leading to lighter values and more dust.
Q: How do these compare to General’s charcoal pencils? A: The cores are comparable in quality, but General’s has a slimmer barrel and slightly better longevity per pencil. This set wins on value — you get 22 pencils plus accessories for roughly the price of 12 Generals.
The Verdict
Buy it if you want a complete, reliable charcoal kit that won’t frustrate you with breakage or inconsistent cores. Skip it if you’re a working professional who burns through soft grades daily and needs replaceable singles.
Rating: 4.6/5 — This is the set I’d recommend to anyone serious about drawing without overpaying for a brand name. The quality-to-price ratio is excellent, and the included accessories actually earn their place in the box.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.