ArtGraf Water-Soluble Graphite Sticks 2pk

These are not nearly as black or soluble are LYRA or Derwent brands. I like the size and shape, but they just don't dissolve as easily. If you are a timid artist, that might be an advantage. I my case, I like BOLD BLACKS easy and fast. These don't do that as well as others.If you want pure BLACK, get Derwent aquarelle in the softest rating. Derwent aquarelles are best suited to detailed works, especially if you plan to reproduce them since the pigment Derwent uses does not shine like graphite.If you like the look and speed of graphite, get the LYRA water-soluble graphite crayons. Be sure to get the water-soluble type, since LYRA produces BOTH standard graphite and water-soluble. LYRA water-soluble graphite crayons are not only bolder and easier to dissolve, but they are the best value by far.Derwent aquarelles for small, detailed or reproducible works.LYRA WS graphite crayons for LARGE BOLD BLACK graphite.Art graf is OK, but it just doesn't compare favorably to the others mentioned herein for power, speed or value.

i love the way this goes and stays on water soaked paper

Iv used many other products from defferent brands.. This is the best one, dark and clean when use a wet brush with it.

These graphit sticks work very well, particularly for shading pictures. If you are looking to work in tiny areas may need a graphite stick with a smaller circumference.

Good

Great product.

Great product and great service

This is a fun product. If you like working with chunkier media then you may like these. So far I've used these to rough in some landscape sketches then used a wet brush to finish the piece. To my eye they work just fine. The product lays down smooth, and you can get a wide range of tones - which are the main things I look for. ArtGraf just lists the product as "medium", I think, and they don't assign a hardness designation that I could find. My guess is that these are somewhere around 2b or maybe slightly softer.Anyway, I've enjoyed the results with this so far.