How to Sharpen a Pencil

We all grew up using the standard #2 pencil in school, so it may seem silly to write a blog post about how to sharpen a pencil. However, as an artist you’re probably looking to make different marks than you would with a regular pencil, so you’ll need a different method of sharpening to achieve those marks.

This pencil has definitely seen better days. Let’s give it a good sharp point.

Over a trash can, I carefully start to whittle down the wood about two inches back from the tip with an X-Acto knife.

Then, using the knife, I very, very carefully strip away the wood from the graphite exposing about an inch and a half of graphite. This takes practice—I have broken many, many tips in this step.

Next, I grab a sanding block or sandpaper and gently run my pencil along the grit to create a long, sharp point. I’m sanding both the graphite and the wood together, while turning it constantly to ensure it’s even all around.

You’ll notice how much of the tip is now gone from that initial inch and a half I had exposed. We now have a beautifully sharp pencil.

You can see the difference in strokes from a sharp pencil and a dull one. With a dull pencil you’re likely to get heavy, thick strokes, but with a sharp one you will be able to get more delicate, thin, light, and confident strokes, which will make for stronger, more detailed, and dynamic drawings.

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5 Responses to “How to Sharpen a Pencil”

  1. Jonathan Doskow

    Ooops. My choice of words didn't meet your submission standards but you won't tell me why?

  2. Phyllis

    How do you prevent (or get rid of) the graphite “shine” in pencil drawings?

  3. Cheryl G

    I am happy to learn about sharpening techniques. I never thought much about this before. Thanks.

  4. Kimberly Longenecker

    Thanks for explaining why this method may be preferred to a sharpener.

  5. Robin Barnhart

    Why not just sharpen it with a sharpener? The tip looks the same and you wouldn't have wasted as much pencil.