My Wishlist - Onyx Pencils

I would imagine that most artists are like me in that they have their favourite mediums, supports, accessories etc but are also often on the lookout for something new to try.

I thought I might share a few of the things that are currently on my arty wishlist. The first one is a set of Derwent Onyx Pencils.

Derwent's website describes them as 'being made from smooth dark graphite, delivering dense, jet black tones, darker than a Graphic 9B'. Derwent Graphics are my graphite pencil of choice and the thought of a pencil I can use to build up layers to make black tones is really interesting. Because graphite isn't black, the darkest tones that can be created may look black but are actually a very dark grey and also the build up of graphite can create a shiny surface in areas of dense shading.

They come in two tones, medium and dark and are sold in a pack with two of each pencil and a sharpener and an eraser.

There is more information as well as some examples on the Derwent Pencils Website.

Royal Pencils

Was looking through the latest edition of Artists and Illustrators Magazine and came across an advert for the rather luxurious 'Royal Wedding Wooden Box' made by Derwent.

It's been made to celebrate the Royal Wedding and the first one (of 500 being made) is being given to Kate and William as a wedding present (which made me wonder if either of them are artists, and if not, might they sell their unwanted presents on ebay?).

Anyway, it's a maple presentation box filled with over 150 water soluble pencil and blocks from across their fab range. And it has an RRP of £499.99 - I'd better get saving! More info here: http://www.pencils.co.uk/newsitem.aspx?nid=138