Drawing pencils are primarily distinguished by their hardness and darkness, characteristics that are crucial for artistic expression. Generally, pencil grades begin with the letters "H" and "B," representing hardness and blackness, respectively:
H Series: H stands for Hard. H-series pencils are harder and lighter in color, suitable for drawing details and lines. As the H value increases, the pencil's hardness increases, and the color becomes progressively lighter. For example, 2H is harder and lighter than HB, while 6H is even harder and lighter.
B Series: B stands for Black. B-series pencils are softer and darker, suitable for drawing shadows and dark areas. As the B value increases, the pencil's softness increases, and the color becomes progressively darker. For example, 2B is softer and darker than HB, while 6B is even softer and darker.
HB: HB is an abbreviation for Hard Black. It falls between the H and B series, with moderate hardness and color depth, making it a commonly used grade for everyday writing and drawing.