Faber-Castell

1

How many degrees of lead hardness are the Castell 9000 Pencils available in?

Faber-Castell offers 16 degrees of lead hardness in the Castell 9000 Pencil. Listed from darkest (softer) to lightest (harder): 8B 7B 6B 5B 4B 3B 2B B HB F H 2H 3H 4H 5H 6H. The higher the number in B the darker/softer the lead is and the higher the number in H the lighter/harder the lead is as well. Faber-Castell 9000 Pencils have superior leads made of very finely ground graphite and clay. These smooth, graphite’s are never scratchy.

2

Are the Castell 9000 Pencils available individually?

Yes open stock quantities are available at your local Art Supply store in a display. To find Art & Graphic stores near you, click on the store locator in the main menu.

3

Can I sharpen the Perfection Eraser Pencil with a sharpener?

Yes the pencils may be sharpened with a pencil sharpener. We recommend using hand held sharpeners for best results.

4

What are the Faber-Castell Kneaded Erasers made of?

They are made from synthetic rubber.

5

Can I dip the tip of my Albrecht Durer watercolor pencil into the water?

It is not recommended to dip the tips of Faber-Castell watercolor pencils into water as it will compromise the integrity of the pencil. The lead and wood become soft and will become brittle which will then break easily. We recommend experimenting with many techniques to create your own style as there are various watercolor applications.

6

If the PITT Graphite Pure is available in 4 degrees of hardness why is it called “graphite pure”?

The product is named graphite pure due to the fact that it is not encased in wood. There is a plastic sleeve around the pencil to protect the hands when worked with however, it is not wood cased as graphite pencils usually are.

7

Can I use an electric sharpener when working with Faber-Castell pencils?

We do not recommend using an electric sharpener. We recommend using hand held sharpeners such as the GRIP Trio Sharpener or the Double Hole Metal Sharpener for best results. They contain both a sharp as well as blunt angled sharpening blade. The angle and sharpness of the blade is very important when sharpening a pencil.

8

What should I look for when choosing paper for my artwork?

Low quality paper becomes fragile due to acids reacting to sunlight (paper destroys itself). Artist papers are acid-free and should ideally consist of cotton rags. When buying paper one should pay attention that it is ph-neutral and that it carries the designation, resistant to ageing. "Ordinary paper" is made from cellulose and has a high percentage of wastepaper.

FAQ 10 Ten Questions