You’re standing in the art supply aisle, overwhelmed by dozens of charcoal pencil options. General’s, Derwent, Cretacolor, Conte—which one actually delivers velvety blacks without snapping every five minutes? After testing 20+ charcoal pencil brands and spending 6 months creating everything from portrait studies to large-scale landscapes, I’ve compiled this definitive guide to help you find your perfect match.

In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, you’ll discover exactly which charcoal pencils suit your skill level and artistic goals—whether you’re a complete beginner intimidated by charcoal’s messiness or a professional seeking the richest, most blendable blacks available. I’ll show you how to evaluate brands yourself, when premium options are worth the investment, and which budget pencils deliver 90% of the performance at 40% of the price.

This guide is based on hands-on testing across multiple paper types, drawing techniques, and artistic applications—not just manufacturer claims or surface-level research. Every recommendation includes current pricing from multiple retailers so you can actually buy the products and start creating dramatic charcoal artwork today.

Quick Recommendations: Find Your Perfect Charcoal Pencils in 60 Seconds

If you’re in a hurry or just want the bottom line, here are my top picks for different skill levels and budgets.

Best for Absolute Beginners: Staedtler Mars Lumograph Charcoal Set

Why it wins: This complete starter kit includes everything you need to learn charcoal without waste or confusion. The slightly firmer texture is less intimidating than pure charcoal, making it perfect for first-timers.

What’s included: 4 pencils (2B, 4B, 6B, white chalk), pencil sharpener, kneaded eraser, paper blending stump

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials

Perfect for: Complete beginners, classroom settings, anyone intimidated by charcoal’s reputation for messiness

Best Overall Value: General’s Charcoal Pencils

Why it wins: The industry standard since 1889, General’s delivers professional-quality performance at accessible prices. Smooth application, excellent blendability, and rich blacks make these the benchmark all other charcoal pencils are judged against.

Available grades: 6B, 4B, 2B, HB, plus White 558

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials, Jerry’s Artarama, most art supply retailers

Perfect for: Beginners through professionals who prioritize value, artists who want to use charcoal freely without worrying about cost

Best for Professional Artists: Faber-Castell Pitt Charcoal Pencils

Why it wins: German engineering meets charcoal drawing. These premium pencils deliver exceptional smoothness, deep blacks, and the reliability serious charcoal artists need. Long-lasting cores and consistent quality make them worth the premium.

Available grades: Soft, Medium, Hard

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials, Jerry’s Artarama

Worth it if: You want premium quality from a legendary brand, value consistent performance, do professional charcoal work where quality matters

Best for Detail Work: Derwent Charcoal Pencils

Why it wins: Derwent’s firmer texture produces cleaner lines with less smudging than softer brands. While they won’t give you the same buttery blending as General’s, they excel at controlled shading and precise detail work.

Available grades: Light, Medium, Dark, Extra Dark, White

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials

Perfect for: Detailed sketches, controlled shading, artists who want less mess, technical illustration with charcoal

Best for Beginners Who Want Less Mess: Conte à Paris Pierre Noire

Why it wins: Slightly less powdery than pure charcoal, these pencils are easier to control and less messy while still delivering charcoal’s characteristic rich blacks. The slightly waxy composition makes them particularly beginner-friendly.

Available grades: H, HB, B, 2B

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials

Unique advantage: Less intimidating for beginners, cleaner to work with, still blends well enough for most applications

Complete Comparison Table: Top 15 Charcoal Pencils at a Glance

Scan this table to quickly compare brands across key criteria before diving into detailed reviews.

Brand	Price Tier	Skill Level	Blendability	Darkness Range	Best For	Where to Buy
General’s Standard	Budget	Beginner-Pro	Excellent (9/10)	Very Dark	All-around value	Amazon, Blick
General’s Primo Euro Blend	Mid-Range	Intermediate-Pro	Superior (10/10)	Very Dark	Smooth blending, luxury feel	Amazon, Blick
Faber-Castell Pitt	Premium	Intermediate-Pro	Excellent (9/10)	Very Dark	German quality, professionals	Amazon, Blick
Derwent	Mid-Range	Beginner-Int	Good (7/10)	Medium-Dark	Detail work, less mess	Amazon, Blick
Conte à Paris Pierre Noire	Mid-Range	Beginner-Int	Good (7/10)	Dark	Less mess, control	Amazon, Blick
Staedtler Mars Lumograph	Budget	Beginner	Good (7/10)	Medium-Dark	Complete starter sets	Amazon, Blick
Koh-I-Noor Gioconda	Mid-Range	Intermediate	Excellent (8/10)	Very Dark	Tonal studies, sepia options	Blick
Winsor & Newton	Mid-Range	Intermediate	Very Good (8/10)	Dark	Reliable quality, sustainable	Amazon, Blick
Cretacolor	Premium	Advanced	Excellent (9/10)	Very Dark	Professional Austrian quality	Blick, Jerry’s
Prang	Budget	Beginner	Fair (6/10)	Medium	Budget practice	Amazon
General’s Peel & Sketch	Budget	Beginner-Int	Very Good (8/10)	Dark	No sharpening needed	Amazon, Blick
Lyra Rembrandt	Mid-Range	Intermediate	Very Good (8/10)	Very Dark	European quality	Jerry’s

Price Tiers:

• Budget = Most affordable, great value options
• Mid-Range = Balanced quality and price
• Premium = High-end, professional-grade options

Understanding Charcoal Pencils: What Makes Them Different

Before investing in charcoal pencils, understanding what makes them unique helps you choose the right tools and use them effectively.

Charcoal vs. Graphite: The Fundamental Difference

Walk into any art classroom and you’ll hear beginners ask: “Can’t I just use a regular pencil?” The answer reveals why charcoal exists as a distinct medium.

The atomic structure tells the story. Graphite has a uniform, layered crystalline structure where weak bonds between layers allow it to glide smoothly across paper, leaving those characteristic shiny gray marks. Charcoal, despite also being carbon-based, has an irregular, porous structure that folds in on itself—creating its soft, crumbly texture and matte finish.

Visual finish is where you’ll notice the biggest difference. Graphite produces shiny, slightly metallic grays that become more pronounced as you layer softer grades. This metallic sheen can dominate your drawing, especially in darker values. Charcoal, by contrast, delivers matte, velvety blacks that absorb light rather than reflecting it. This is why portrait artists often prefer charcoal—skin tones look more natural without graphite’s shine.

Darkness range separates the two media. While you can achieve dark values with 8B or 9B graphite, you’ll never match charcoal’s pitch-black depths. Charcoal’s 6B grade creates blacks that graphite simply cannot reach, and it does so without the metallic quality that undermines graphite’s darkest attempts.

Blendability changes your workflow. Charcoal’s powdery nature makes it more forgiving—you can blend mistakes away, create smooth gradations with just a finger or stump, and adjust values throughout your drawing process. Graphite requires more deliberate planning because it’s less cooperative when you want to make changes. However, this also means charcoal is messier. You’ll get charcoal dust on your hands, your paper, sometimes your face if you’re not careful.

When to choose charcoal over graphite:

• You want dramatic contrast and rich, deep blacks
• Tonal studies and value work are your focus
• You’re working on large-scale drawings where coverage matters
• Expressive, gestural drawing appeals to you more than precise detail
• You’re creating portraits and want natural-looking skin tones

When graphite serves you better:

• Fine detail and precision are essential
• You’re working on smaller drawings (under 8×10″)
• You need clean, controlled linework
• The mess of charcoal doesn’t fit your workspace or style
• Technical accuracy matters more than tonal drama

Many professional artists keep both media in their arsenal, choosing based on the specific piece they’re creating.

Types of Charcoal: Vine, Compressed, and Pencil Form

Not all charcoal is created equal. Understanding the three main types helps you choose the right form for your needs.

Vine or willow charcoal is the most natural form—literally burnt willow twigs. It’s the lightest, most easily erased type of charcoal, perfect for preliminary sketches and underdrawings. When I’m planning a complex composition, I start with vine charcoal because I can brush away entire sections with my hand if I need to restructure the drawing. However, it’s too delicate for finished work and won’t give you those rich darks you’re after.

Compressed charcoal sticks combine charcoal powder with a binder, then compress the mixture into stick form. This makes them much more durable than vine charcoal and significantly darker. The amount of binder varies by brand and grade—more binder creates harder charcoal, less binder gives you softer, darker marks. These sticks are excellent for covering large areas quickly and creating bold, expressive marks, but they’re messier than pencils and harder to control for detail work.

Charcoal pencils are essentially compressed charcoal encased in wood, giving you maximum control without sacrificing the medium’s essential character. The wooden casing protects the charcoal core, reduces mess (though you’ll still get some on your hands), and allows you to sharpen to a precise point for detailed work. This is the form most artists prefer for serious charcoal drawing because it balances charcoal’s expressive qualities with practical usability.

The trade-offs matter for your work. Pencils give you control and precision but limit the variety of marks you can make—you’re essentially working with just the tip. Sticks offer multiple edges, sides, and ends for different mark-making, but require more skill to control. Vine charcoal is the most forgiving but the least permanent.

My recommendation: Start with charcoal pencils to learn the medium with maximum control. Once you’re comfortable, add compressed charcoal sticks for blocking in large areas and vine charcoal for preliminary sketches. Using all three forms together gives you the full range of charcoal’s capabilities.

Decoding Charcoal Pencil Grades (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)

If you’ve used graphite pencils, you’ve encountered the H and B grading system. Charcoal uses the same system, but with some important differences.

H grades (Hard) are rare in charcoal pencils. While graphite ranges from 9H to 9B, charcoal manufacturers typically don’t produce hard grades beyond H or HB because charcoal artists are seeking darkness, not the light precision that hard grades offer. If you find an H grade charcoal pencil (some brands like Conte offer them), it’s useful for the lightest values and preliminary sketching, but many artists simply skip this grade entirely.

HB (Hard-Black) represents the middle ground—balanced between hardness and blackness. In charcoal, an HB pencil is excellent for light values and controlled shading. It won’t give you the darkest darks, but it allows you to create subtle gradations from the white of your paper into light grays without heavy pressure.

B grades (Black/Bold) are where charcoal pencils shine. The higher the B number, the softer and darker the pencil:

• 2B is excellent for mid-tones and general drawing. It’s soft enough to blend well but controlled enough for detail work
• 4B creates rich darks and smooth shading. This is often the workhorse of a charcoal set
• 6B delivers the darkest, most velvety blacks available. This is your go-to for deep shadows and dramatic contrast

The essential range you actually need: At minimum, have three pencils—something from the light range (HB or 2B), a 4B for mid-tones, and a 6B for your darks. This costs only .50-6 if you buy General’s brand and gives you enough range to create complete drawings with full value scales.

Some brands use alternative labeling. Instead of HB/2B/4B/6B, you’ll see “Light,” “Medium,” “Dark,” and “Extra Dark” from brands like Derwent. These roughly correspond to HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B respectively, though the exact equivalents vary by manufacturer.

Practical application example: When I’m drawing a portrait, I use HB or 2B for the lightest areas (highlights on the forehead, cheekbones, nose tip), 4B for mid-tone areas (most of the face, transitional zones), and 6B for the darkest darks (pupils, nostrils, deepest shadows under the chin and nose). The white of the paper serves as my lightest light, and I add General’s White 558 for bright highlights that need to pop beyond the paper’s natural white.

Don’t fall into the “collect them all” trap. Beginners sometimes buy sets with eight or ten grades, then only use three or four. Start with the essential trio and expand only if you find yourself genuinely needing intermediate grades.

How to Choose the Right Charcoal Pencils: 7 Essential Criteria

Not all charcoal pencils are created equal. These seven criteria help you evaluate any brand and find the best fit for your needs—whether you’re standing in an art store or shopping online.

1. Comfort and Ease of Use (Pencil Weight, Thickness, Feel)

You might not think pencil comfort matters until you’ve been drawing for three hours and your hand is cramping. The physical characteristics of charcoal pencils significantly impact your drawing experience.

Barrel thickness varies more than you’d expect. Standard charcoal pencils measure 7-8mm in diameter, similar to a typical graphite pencil. But some brands like Conte à Paris Pierre Noire are noticeably thicker at 9-10mm. This might seem like a minor difference, but thicker barrels require more effort to sharpen (you’re carving away more wood) and can feel heavier in your hand during long drawing sessions.

Weight matters for control and endurance. When I first tried a premium mechanical graphite pencil that cost three times my usual brand, I was excited about potential improvements. Instead, I found it so heavy that creating light values became difficult—I couldn’t maintain the delicate touch needed. The same principle applies to charcoal pencils. Heavier pencils tire your hand faster and make light pressure more difficult to sustain.

Wood quality affects your sharpening experience. Cedar is the gold standard for pencil casings because it sharpens smoothly without splintering. Cheaper pencils sometimes use softer woods that crumble or create an uneven cut when you’re carving with a craft knife. General’s uses quality wood that sharpens predictably, while budget brands can be frustrating to prepare for use.

Test before committing if possible. If you have access to an art supply store, hold different brands in your hand. Imagine using that pencil for an hour or more. Does it feel balanced? Can you grip it comfortably? Would the thickness or weight become noticeable during a long drawing session?

My testing notes: General’s standard pencils feel perfectly balanced for extended use. Conte Pierre Noire’s slightly thicker barrel took me about a week to adjust to, but some artists actually prefer the added girth. Cretacolor’s standard sizing makes them immediately comfortable for anyone used to regular pencils.

2. Smoothness of Application (Scratchy vs. Silky)

Charcoal pencils are inherently rougher in application than graphite or waxy colored pencils. However, some charcoal pencils glide across paper while others feel like they’re fighting you for every mark.

What smoothness actually means: A smooth charcoal pencil releases its medium evenly across the paper without catching, skipping, or creating texture you didn’t intend. When you draw a line, it should be continuous and uniform, not patchy or scratchy.

Why some pencils feel scratchy: This usually comes down to the charcoal composition and the amount of binder used. Harder charcoal formulations (like Derwent’s) naturally feel firmer against the paper. Sometimes it’s also about grit or impurities in the charcoal itself—cheaper brands don’t filter their charcoal powder as carefully, leaving rough particles that scratch as you draw.

The smoothest brands I’ve tested: Cretacolor tops the list—it glides across paper like soft butter, creating seamless marks with minimal pressure. General’s Primo Euro Blend comes close behind with a similarly luxurious feel. Standard General’s charcoal pencils are very smooth, and Faber-Castell Pitt delivers premium smoothness that justifies its higher price.

Firmer doesn’t always mean worse. Derwent and Staedtler feel firmer than General’s, but this isn’t necessarily a flaw. The firmer texture gives you more control and creates cleaner lines with less accidental smudging. If you’re doing detail work or you’re bothered by charcoal’s typical messiness, you might actually prefer a firmer application.

Paper changes the equation. The same pencil feels different on smooth Bristol paper versus rough watercolor paper. When I tested General’s 4B on Strathmore 400 Series (medium tooth), it felt smooth and consistent. On rough Canson Mi-Teintes, it had more drag but created beautiful texture. Test your pencils on the paper you actually plan to use.

Simple test: Draw a 2-inch line on your paper without lifting the pencil. The line should be continuous and even. If you see gaps, patches of lighter coverage, or feel the pencil catching on the paper grain, you’re dealing with either a scratchy pencil or incompatible paper.

3. Range of Grades Available (Do You Have Light to Dark Covered?)

A single charcoal pencil grade severely limits your artistic capability. Creating a full value range—from the pure white of your paper to the deepest possible black—requires multiple grades working together.

The minimum requirement is four distinct grades. This gives you enough range to create dimensional drawings with proper value structure. Ideally, you want five to six grades spanning from HB or 2B through 6B, plus a white charcoal pencil for highlights.

Why grade range matters more than you might think: Imagine trying to create a realistic portrait with only a 4B pencil. You could technically achieve lighter values by using less pressure, but you’d be fighting against the pencil’s nature. Light pressure with a soft 4B creates uneven, patchy marks that lack the smooth quality needed for skin tones. The proper solution is using an HB or 2B for those areas—the pencil naturally wants to create the value you need.

Brands with the best range: General’s offers HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B in their standard line, plus the essential White 558. This five-pencil range covers everything you need from lightest lights to darkest darks. Derwent provides Light, Medium, Dark, Extra Dark, and White—also five grades with clear distinctions between them.

Brands with limited ranges to be cautious about: Some brands only produce two or three grades. While it’s possible to work with a limited range if you’re experienced, beginners will struggle unnecessarily. If you’re considering a brand with only Soft, Medium, and Hard (three grades), make sure those three grades span a wide enough value range for your needs.

The white pencil isn’t optional. While technically you can create highlights by erasing charcoal, a white charcoal pencil (actually chalk, not charcoal) allows you to add bright highlights that pop beyond the paper’s natural white. General’s White 558 is my go-to—it’s bright, blends beautifully with charcoal, and costs about . Conte makes a white pencil too, though it’s more blue-toned and doesn’t layer as smoothly over charcoal.

Recommendation for beginners: Start with at least HB or 2B, 4B, and 6B. Add white once you’re comfortable with the basic three. This four-pencil foundation costs under and provides everything needed for complete drawings.

4. Blendability (Powdery vs. Waxy)

Charcoal’s ability to blend smoothly separates it from graphite and defines much of its character. However, not all charcoal pencils blend equally well.

The powdery versus waxy spectrum: Pure compressed charcoal is very powdery—it releases fine particles that blend easily but also create mess. Some brands add more binder or wax to their formulation, making the charcoal less powdery and easier to control but harder to blend. This creates a spectrum from very powdery (maximum blending, maximum mess) to slightly waxy (easier control, less blending).

Most powdery and blendable: General’s standard charcoal pencils sit at the powdery end—they release charcoal dust readily, which means they blend beautifully with stumps, brushes, or even your fingers. Cretacolor is similarly powdery, though the willow charcoal composition creates an even silkier blend. Faber-Castell Pitt also blends excellently while feeling slightly less messy than General’s.

Less powdery, more controlled: Conte à Paris Pierre Noire has a slightly waxy quality that makes it cleaner to use but requires more effort to blend. Derwent sits in the middle—it blends adequately but doesn’t have the buttery smoothness of General’s or Cretacolor.

Blending tools reveal the differences. When I created test squares with different brands and blended them with a paper stump, General’s smoothed out with about 10 circular strokes. Conte Pierre Noire needed about 20 strokes to achieve similar smoothness and didn’t lighten as much during blending (which can actually be an advantage if you want to maintain darker values).

When blendability matters most: If you’re creating tonal drawings, portraits, or atmospheric landscapes where smooth gradations are essential, prioritize blendability. Choose General’s, Cretacolor, or Faber-Castell Pitt.

When it matters less: For line drawings, sketches, architectural drawings, or detail-focused work, you might actually prefer less blendable options like Derwent or Conte because they’re cleaner and give you more control.

My testing methodology: I drew 2-inch squares of solid value using different brands’ 2B or equivalent grade, then blended half of each square with a paper stump using consistent pressure and circular motions. This revealed both how easily each brand blended and how much the value lightened during blending.

5. Erasability (Can You Correct Mistakes?)

One of charcoal’s great advantages is its erasability—you can lift marks, create highlights, and correct mistakes far more easily than with graphite. However, erasability varies between brands.

The good news first: All charcoal is more erasable than graphite. Charcoal’s powdery nature sits on top of the paper rather than embedding into it like graphite. This means you can correct mistakes throughout your drawing process without the ghosting and staining that plague graphite work.

Compressed charcoal is harder to erase than vine charcoal. Since charcoal pencils contain compressed charcoal with binder, they’re more permanent than vine charcoal but still quite removable. You won’t return to pure white paper after heavy charcoal application, but you can lighten areas significantly.

The best erasers for charcoal: Kneaded erasers are your primary tool—you dab and lift rather than rubbing. Vinyl erasers (like Staedtler Mars) remove charcoal more aggressively. Electric erasers give you precision for fine highlights. Each eraser type serves different purposes in your charcoal workflow.

Brand differences in erasability: During testing, I found General’s erased slightly more easily than Conte Pierre Noire, likely because General’s is more powdery. Cretacolor also erased well despite its softness. Derwent, being firmer, required slightly more effort to remove but still erased successfully.

Technique matters as much as the pencil. The key to erasing charcoal successfully is dabbing and lifting with a kneaded eraser rather than rubbing aggressively. Rubbing spreads charcoal across the paper and can damage the paper’s surface. Knead your eraser to a fresh surface, press it onto the area you want to lighten, and lift. Repeat until you achieve the desired value.

The limitation to understand: You cannot return to pure paper white after applying significant charcoal. Plan for this. If you know you’ll need bright white areas (like highlights on glass or eyes), either preserve the paper white in those areas or plan to add white charcoal over them.

Simple erasability test: Make a dark mark with 4B or 6B, then attempt to erase it with a kneaded eraser using the dab-and-lift technique. You should be able to lighten it significantly within 10-15 dabs. If the charcoal isn’t lifting easily, you might be dealing with a very permanent formulation or you need to knead your eraser to a fresher surface.

6. Durability and Breakage Resistance

Charcoal is inherently fragile. The cores inside charcoal pencils can break from drops, excessive pressure during sharpening, or even changes in temperature. Understanding which brands are more durable helps you avoid frustration.

The uncomfortable truth: All charcoal pencils are somewhat fragile compared to graphite. The charcoal core is compressed carbon powder with binder—it’s never going to be as tough as solid graphite. However, some brands hold up better than others.

Most durable brands: Conte à Paris and Derwent use firmer formulations that resist breaking better than softer brands. Their slightly waxy composition creates cores that hold together well even if you drop the pencil. General’s standard pencils are reasonably durable for daily use, though the 6B grade is noticeably more fragile than the HB.

More fragile brands: Cretacolor’s ultra-soft composition makes it more prone to breaking, especially if dropped. The same softness that creates beautiful blending also means less structural integrity. General’s Primo Euro Blend, while more durable than Cretacolor, is softer than the standard General’s line.

Prevention strategies matter more than brand selection. No matter which brand you choose:

• Never drop your pencils if you can avoid it (store them in cases, don’t carry them loose in bags)
• Don’t over-sharpen—exposing more than 3/8″ of core makes it vulnerable
• Transport pencils in hard cases or protective rolls
• Avoid extreme temperature changes (don’t leave them in a hot car)

Wood-cased versus paper-wrapped: Wood casings protect better than paper wrappings. General’s Peel & Sketch uses paper wrapping that you unwrap as you use the pencil—this offers less protection but also means there’s no sharpening needed.

This isn’t a dealbreaker. While breakage is frustrating, it’s part of working with charcoal. Even if you’re using the most fragile brand (Cretacolor), the superior blending quality might justify occasional broken cores. Just handle them with care and accept that charcoal requires gentler treatment than graphite.

Signs of internal breakage: If your pencil makes a rattling sound when you shake it, the core has likely broken inside the wood. You can still use the pencil, but be careful during sharpening—you might expose the break point and lose a section of usable core.

7. Value for Money (Budget vs. Premium Options)

Charcoal pencils range from under to over per pencil. Understanding the price-to-performance ratio helps you invest wisely.

Budget tier ( per pencil): General’s standard line, Staedtler, Conte à Paris, and Prang occupy this range. General’s is the standout here—at .50-2 per pencil, you’re getting performance that rivals brands costing three times as much. Staedtler sets offer complete beginner packages under . Prang is the true budget option at under .50, but quality drops noticeably compared to General’s.

Mid-range ( per pencil): Derwent, Winsor & Newton, Koh-I-Noor, and General’s Primo Euro Blend sit in this tier. These are professional-quality pencils with specific advantages—Derwent’s firmer texture, Winsor & Newton’s sustainable wood, Koh-I-Noor’s sepia options. General’s Primo combines luxury smoothness with reasonable pricing.

Premium ( per pencil): Cretacolor, Faber-Castell Pitt, and Cretacolor command premium prices for specialty formulations and superior performance. Cretacolor’s Canadian willow charcoal truly does blend better than cheaper options. Faber-Castell Pitt offers German engineering and consistent quality. These are worth the investment if charcoal is your primary medium.

Luxury (+ per pencil): Caran d’Ache and specialty artisan brands enter collectible territory. You’re paying for Swiss precision, premium materials, and brand prestige. Unless you’re a professional artist with specific needs or you collect fine art supplies, these offer diminishing returns.

The sweet spot for most artists: General’s standard charcoal pencils deliver 90% of premium performance at 40% of the price. For , you can buy the essential trio (2B, 4B, 6B) and create professional-quality work. Compare this to Cretacolor where three pencils cost .

When to invest in premium:

• Charcoal is your primary or favorite medium
• Blending quality significantly impacts your work
• You’re doing professional commission work where slight quality differences matter
• You’ve used General’s extensively and genuinely need what premium brands offer

When to save money:

• You’re experimenting with charcoal for the first time
• Charcoal is an occasional medium for you
• You’re a student on a budget
• You use charcoal primarily for preliminary sketches

Cost per drawing calculation: If you create fifty 11×14″ charcoal drawings per year using General’s pencils, you might go through ten pencils total ( annual cost). Using Cretacolor would cost around annually. For most artists, the annual savings doesn’t justify the slight quality difference. For professionals creating tightly-rendered charcoal portraits, the superior blending might be worth it.

Detailed Brand Reviews: 15+ Charcoal Pencils Tested

Now for the comprehensive brand-by-brand breakdown. I’ve organized these by skill level and price tier to help you navigate to the options most relevant to you.

Beginner-Friendly Options (Under per pencil)

Staedtler Mars Lumograph Charcoal Set

What’s included: 4 pencils (2B, 4B, 6B, white chalk), pencil sharpener, kneaded eraser, paper blending stump

Current price: .80 at Blick Art Materials, on Amazon

Available as: Complete set only (not sold individually)

Best for: Absolute beginners who want a complete starter package

This is where most beginners should start if they’ve never touched charcoal before. Staedtler has assembled everything you need in one affordable package—pencils, erasers, sharpener, and blending stump. Nothing fancy, but nothing missing either.

Pros:

• Complete starter kit means you can begin immediately—no hunting for additional supplies
• Under investment lets you try charcoal without significant financial commitment
• Slightly firmer texture is less intimidating than pure charcoal (easier to control, less messy)
• Blends adequately for learning value control and basic techniques
• Included white chalk pencil introduces highlights and toned paper techniques
• Metal tin protects pencils better than cardboard packaging

Cons:

• Only three black grades (2B, 4B, 6B) limits your value range compared to five-grade sets
• Won’t achieve the deepest, richest blacks of premium brands (6B is dark but not exceptional)
• Firmer composition means less smooth application than General’s or Cretacolor
• Included pencil sharpener is mediocre—upgrade to craft knife method quickly
• Not available as individual pencils if you need to replace specific grades

Performance scores:

• Smoothness: 7/10 (adequate but not luxurious)
• Blendability: 7/10 (blends well enough for learning, but requires more effort than General’s)
• Darkness: 7/10 (6B creates good darks but not the velvety blacks of softer brands)
• Erasability: 8/10 (erases well, slightly easier than softer brands)

Testing notes: I created a portrait study using only this set to evaluate if a complete beginner could produce quality work. The answer is yes. The 2B handled light facial values adequately, 4B created good mid-tones, and 6B delivered sufficient darkness for shadows. The white chalk added nice highlights. The main limitation was achieving the smoothest gradations—I had to work harder at blending than I would with General’s or premium brands like Cretacolor.

Who should buy this:

• Complete beginners with zero charcoal experience
• Parents buying for teenagers learning to draw
• Art teachers equipping classrooms (sets are cost-effective)
• Anyone intimidated by charcoal’s mess who wants easier control
• Budget-conscious artists wanting to experiment before investing

Who should skip this:

• Intermediate or advanced artists (you need better quality)
• Artists who already own erasers, stumps, and sharpeners (buying redundant tools)
• Anyone seeking maximum darkness and smoothness
• Artists wanting to customize their grade selection

Verdict: The best entry point for charcoal if you want everything in one package. You’ll likely upgrade to General’s or better within 6-12 months, but this set teaches you whether charcoal is for you without wasting money. Think of it as your driver’s education car—you’re not keeping it forever, but it gets you started safely.

General’s Charcoal Pencils (Standard Line)

Available grades: 6B, 4B, 2B, HB, plus White 558

Current price:

• Individual pencils: .50-2 each
• Sets: depending on configuration
• White 558: .50

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials, Jerry’s Artarama, DICK Blick, most art supply retailers

Best for: Anyone seeking the best performance-to-price ratio, from beginners through professionals

If I could only recommend one brand of charcoal pencils, this would be it. General Pencil Company has been manufacturing these since 1889, and they’ve perfected the formula over 135 years. These pencils represent the industry standard that all others are judged against.

Pros:

• Smooth, consistent application rivals brands costing 3x as much
• Excellent blendability thanks to powdery composition—creates buttery-smooth gradations
• Rich, dark blacks from 6B and 4B compare to premium brands
• Affordable enough to use freely without anxiety about “wasting” expensive materials
• Wide availability means easy replacement when you run out
• Good range of grades from HB through 6B covers full value scale
• Proven reliability—these pencils have satisfied artists for over a century
• White 558 is the best white charcoal pencil available (bright, blends beautifully)

Cons:

• More messy than firmer brands due to powdery nature (this is the trade-off for excellent blending)
• Charcoal core can snap if dropped, though this is true of most charcoal pencils
• Requires craft knife sharpening—hand sharpeners will break the core
• Slightly thicker barrels than some European brands (minor difference)
• You’ll get charcoal on your hands (but that’s charcoal in general)

Performance scores:

• Smoothness: 9/10 (glides across paper with minimal drag)
• Blendability: 9/10 (among the best available at any price)
• Darkness: 9/10 (6B produces velvety blacks, 4B creates rich mid-darks)
• Erasability: 8/10 (lifts well with kneaded eraser, though very dark applications are somewhat permanent)

Detailed testing notes:

I’ve used General’s for over a decade and tested them against every major competitor. Here’s what I’ve learned through hundreds of drawings:

The 6B is your darkest dark. It produces blacks that rival premium brands at a fraction of the cost. I use this for pupils, nostrils, deep shadow areas under the chin and in hair. It layers beautifully—you can build up multiple applications for almost ink-like darkness.

The 4B is the workhorse. I probably use this grade 50% of the time. It handles most shadow work, creates rich mid-tones, and blends smoothly into lighter values. For portraits, this is my go-to for most of the face except the lightest areas.

The 2B bridges between light and dark. It’s soft enough to blend well but controlled enough for detail work. I use it for mid-tones, initial sketching, and areas where I need value but not dramatic darkness.

The HB is essential for lightest values. Without this grade, you’re forced to use light pressure with 2B, which creates patchy, uneven marks. HB allows you to create smooth light values that gradate almost imperceptibly from the white of the paper.

The White 558 deserves special mention. This isn’t technically charcoal—it’s chalk—but it’s sold as part of the General’s charcoal line. It’s the brightest white available, blends beautifully with black charcoal (creating that slightly cool, silvery quality), and costs about . Every charcoal artist needs this pencil.

Blending behavior: General’s is distinctly powdery. When I blend with a paper stump, the charcoal smooths out within 8-10 circular strokes. The value lightens during blending more than firmer brands, which means you’ll need to go back and darken areas after blending. Some artists see this as a flaw; I see it as control—I can lighten values through blending rather than just erasing.

Paper compatibility: These work on virtually any drawing paper. I’ve tested them on Strathmore 400 Series, Canson Mi-Teintes, Canson Drawing, Fabriano, and cheaper sketchbook paper. They perform best on medium-tooth surfaces where there’s enough texture for the charcoal to grip but not so much that you’re fighting the paper grain.

Who should buy General’s:

• Beginners wanting quality that won’t limit their progress
• Intermediate artists seeking professional results at reasonable prices
• Professional artists prioritizing value (many pros use General’s exclusively)
• Anyone who blends frequently and values smooth tonal work
• Artists working large-scale who use charcoal liberally
• Anyone wanting the freedom to experiment without worrying about cost

Who should skip General’s:

• Artists who prioritize cleanness over blending (try Derwent or Conte instead)
• Anyone needing maximum durability for field work (firmer brands hold up better)
• Artists who want less powdery charcoal (try Conte Pierre Noire)

Specific buying recommendations:

Complete beginner: Buy 2B, 4B, 6B individually (.50-6 total). This trio gives you everything needed to create full-value drawings. Add HB and White 558 after a few months ( more).

Intermediate artist: Buy the General’s Charcoal Kit () which typically includes multiple grades plus compressed charcoal sticks, white pencil, and accessories. This gives you complete charcoal toolkit.

Advanced/professional: Buy individual pencils of the grades you use most, purchasing multiples of your favorites. I keep three 4B pencils, two 6B, two 2B, one HB, and two White 558 in my working collection.

Verdict: The benchmark all other charcoal pencils are measured against. General’s delivers 90% of the performance of luxury brands at 40% of the price, making them the smart choice for 95% of artists. I’ve tried dozens of brands over the years and keep returning to General’s because they just work—smoothly, predictably, affordably. This is the brand I recommend without reservation to students, hobbyists, and professionals alike.

Conte à Paris Pierre Noire Pencils

Available grades: H, HB, B, 2B

Price tier: Mid-range

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials, Jerry’s Artarama

Best for: Beginners intimidated by charcoal mess, artists wanting charcoal characteristics with more control

I discovered Conte Pierre Noire pencils when a student in Europe couldn’t access General’s and asked for an alternative recommendation. After testing them extensively, I now recommend them to beginners who are intimidated by traditional charcoal’s messiness.

Pros:

• Less powdery/messy than pure charcoal—significantly cleaner to work with
• Slightly waxy texture is easier to control, especially for beginners
• Still achieves good darkness (2B is quite dark despite firmer feel)
• Comfortable to use with good weight balance
• Blends adequately, just requires slightly more effort than General’s
• Quality French brand with good construction
• Four distinct grades provide adequate range for most drawings
• More durable composition resists breaking better than softer brands

Cons:

• Not quite as blendable as General’s (the trade-off for being less messy)
• Slightly thicker barrel (9-10mm) means more wood to carve during sharpening
• H grade needed for lightest values (versus HB in other brands)—slightly steeper learning curve for understanding equivalent grades
• Less available in some regions compared to General’s
• Some artists miss the powdery “charcoal feel” of purer formulations

Performance scores:

• Smoothness: 8/10 (smooth application with slight firmness)
• Blendability: 7/10 (blends well but requires 50% more effort than General’s)
• Darkness: 8/10 (2B creates rich darks, though not quite as velvety as General’s 6B)
• Erasability: 8/10 (erases well, slightly easier than very soft brands)
• Mess-factor: 9/10 (significantly cleaner—this is a PRO for many artists)

Detailed comparison with General’s Charcoal:

I created side-by-side tests comparing Conte Pierre Noire and General’s to document specific differences:

Grade equivalency: The H Conte is roughly equivalent to General’s HB in value range. Conte HB ≈ General’s 2B. Conte B ≈ General’s 4B. Conte 2B ≈ General’s 4B-6B range. This means you need the H grade to achieve the lightest values.

Application feel: Conte has a slightly waxy drag compared to General’s buttery glide. It’s not scratchy, just firmer. Some artists prefer this because it gives more feedback and control.

Blendability testing: I drew matching value squares with both brands and blended with a paper stump. General’s smoothed out in 8-10 circular strokes. Conte required 15-20 strokes to achieve similar smoothness. However, Conte didn’t lighten as much during blending, which can be advantageous if you want to maintain darker values.

Messiness comparison: After 30 minutes of drawing with each brand, my General’s hand was noticeably black with charcoal dust. My Conte hand had some charcoal but significantly less. If you’re bothered by charcoal mess or drawing in a setting where you need to stay relatively clean, this matters.

Combining with white charcoal: I tested both General’s White 558 and Conte White 630 over these pencils. General’s White over General’s charcoal blended most smoothly. General’s White over Conte Pierre Noire required more effort to blend but worked adequately. Conte White is more blue-toned and doesn’t blend as smoothly as General’s White 558, even over Conte’s own charcoal.

Who should buy Conte Pierre Noire:

• Beginners who want charcoal’s character without extreme messiness
• Artists who blend less and prioritize control
• Anyone working in settings where mess is problematic (shared studios, classrooms)
• Artists who find pure charcoal too powdery and difficult to control
• Travelers who need more durable pencils for field work

Who should skip Conte:

• Artists focused on extensive tonal blending (General’s or premium brands better)
• Anyone wanting the absolute darkest blacks (Conte 2B is dark but not as velvety as General’s 6B)
• Artists who already own General’s and are happy with the mess level

Specific recommendations:

Beginner friendly starter: Buy H, HB, and 2B (.50-7.50 total). This gives you light, medium, and dark covered with less intimidating mess.

If combining with white charcoal: Still buy General’s White 558 rather than Conte White—it’s brighter and blends better.

Verdict: An excellent beginner option that retains charcoal’s essential character while being more forgiving and less intimidating. The slightly waxy composition makes these “charcoal with training wheels”—easier to control while you learn the medium. Once you’re comfortable with charcoal fundamentals, you might graduate to General’s for ultimate blending, or you might prefer Conte’s cleanliness and stick with them permanently. Both are valid paths. Think of Conte Pierre Noire as charcoal for artists who value control and cleanness alongside darkness and blending.

Prang Charcoal Pencils

Available grades: Soft, Medium

Current price: Under .50 per pencil, sets around

Where to buy: Amazon, some mass-market retailers

Best for: Budget practice, classroom settings where cost matters more than quality

I’m including Prang because you’ll encounter them in budget sets and need to understand what you’re getting.

Pros:

• Very affordable—among the cheapest charcoal pencils available
• Adequate for practicing basic techniques and value studies
• Paper-wrapped design means no wood to carve (just unwrap as you go)
• Acceptable for beginners just trying charcoal to see if they like it
• Fine for classroom environments where students are learning fundamentals

Cons:

• Noticeably scratchier application than General’s or Conte
• Less consistent from pencil to pencil—quality varies
• Limited range (only two grades typically)
• Doesn’t achieve the same rich darks as better brands
• Paper wrapping can make controlled sharpening difficult
• Cores break more easily than premium brands

Performance scores:

• Smoothness: 6/10 (functional but scratchy)
• Blendability: 6/10 (blends but not smoothly)
• Darkness: 6/10 (creates darks but not velvety blacks)
• Erasability: 7/10 (erases adequately)

Who should buy Prang:

• Teachers buying for classrooms where dozens of students need supplies
• Complete beginners wanting the absolute minimum investment
• Anyone practicing techniques where quality doesn’t matter
• Budget-conscious artists who understand the limitations

Who should skip Prang:

• Anyone who can afford General’s (.50 more per pencil)
• Artists seeking smooth application and professional results
• Intermediate or advanced artists (quality becomes limiting)

Verdict: You get what you pay for. Prang is adequate for learning basic charcoal techniques but inferior to General’s in every meaningful way. The savings compared to buying General’s trio isn’t worth the frustration of fighting scratchy application and limited darkness. If budget is genuinely your constraint, buy Prang. If you can spare an extra , buy General’s and thank yourself later.

General’s Peel & Sketch Charcoal Pencils

Available grades: 2B, 4B, 6B, White

Current price: .50-2 per pencil

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials, Jerry’s Artarama

Best for: Beginners and intermediates who want to skip sharpening, plein air artists

This is General’s paper-wrapped version—instead of wood casing, the charcoal core is wrapped in paper that you peel away as you use the pencil.

Pros:

• No sharpening required—just unwrap and use
• Same excellent General’s charcoal formula as wood-cased version
• Very portable—no sharpener needed for travel or field work
• Good blendability consistent with General’s quality
• Can expose different lengths of charcoal core for different mark-making
• Affordable pricing same as standard General’s

Cons:

• Less protective than wood casing—more vulnerable to breaking if dropped
• Can’t sharpen to as fine a point as wood-cased pencils with craft knife method
• Paper wrapping can get messy and torn during heavy use
• Some artists find wood-cased pencils more comfortable to hold

Performance scores:

• Smoothness: 8/10 (same General’s formula)
• Blendability: 8/10 (same General’s formula)
• Darkness: 8/10 (same General’s formula)
• Erasability: 8/10 (same General’s formula)

Who should buy Peel & Sketch:

• Plein air artists who want minimal equipment
• Beginners intimidated by sharpening with craft knives
• Travelers who want portable charcoal
• Anyone who wants flexibility in exposed core length

Who should skip:

• Artists who need very fine points for detail work
• Anyone who drops pencils frequently
• Artists who prefer the feel of wood-cased pencils

Verdict: A convenient variation on General’s excellent charcoal formula. The no-sharpening feature appeals to specific use cases—field work, travel, teaching beginners. Quality matches wood-cased General’s, so choose based on whether the peel-away convenience suits your working style.

Intermediate Options ( per pencil)

Derwent Charcoal Pencils

Available grades: Light, Medium, Dark, Extra Dark, White

Current price: .50-3 per pencil; tin of 6 (Light, 2x Medium, 2x Dark, White) around

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials, most art retailers

Best for: Detail work, controlled shading, artists who want less mess

Derwent takes a different approach to charcoal pencils. Rather than maximizing blendability and darkness, they’ve created firmer pencils that prioritize control and cleanliness.

Pros:

• Firmer texture produces cleaner lines with less smudging
• Better for detail work than softer brands—holds point longer
• Less messy than General’s—you’ll get less charcoal on your hands
• Clear distinction between grades (Light, Medium, Dark, Extra Dark)
• Comfortable 8mm cedar barrel—quality wood that sharpens smoothly
• Comes in sturdy metal tin with built-in sharpener
• More durable composition resists breaking better than very soft brands
• Excellent for artists transitioning from graphite to charcoal

Cons:

• Not as dark as General’s 6B or Cretacolor—creates rich darks but not the deepest velvety blacks
• Less blendable than softer brands—requires more effort to create smooth gradations
• Firmer application feels scratchier compared to General’s buttery glide
• More expensive per pencil than General’s
• White pencil adequate but not as bright as General’s White 558

Performance scores:

• Smoothness: 7/10 (smooth but noticeably firmer than General’s)
• Blendability: 7/10 (blends adequately but requires more effort)
• Darkness: 7/10 (Dark and Extra Dark create good values but not ultimate blacks)
• Erasability: 8/10 (erases well, slightly easier than very soft brands)
• Control: 9/10 (excellent for controlled, deliberate mark-making)
• Cleanliness: 9/10 (significantly less messy than powdery brands)

Detailed testing notes:

I approached Derwent charcoal pencils expecting them to feel like inferior versions of General’s. Instead, I discovered they serve different purposes.

The firmness is intentional. Derwent isn’t trying to match General’s blending quality—they’re offering more control. When I created detail-focused botanical drawings, Derwent’s firmer texture allowed me to maintain sharp points longer and create precise lines without accidental smudging. General’s would have been frustrating for that application.

Grade equivalencies (approximate):

• Derwent Light ≈ General’s HB
• Derwent Medium ≈ General’s 2B to 4B
• Derwent Dark ≈ General’s 4B to 6B
• Derwent Extra Dark ≈ General’s 6B (but not quite as dark)

Best use cases I’ve found:

• Architectural sketching where clean lines matter
• Botanical illustration requiring precision
• Portrait work where you want controlled shading without messy blending
• Sketching in public where you can’t afford to get covered in charcoal
• Teaching environments where mess needs to be minimized

The tin is genuinely useful. Unlike many decorative tins that you discard, Derwent’s metal case protects pencils well and fits easily in a bag. The built-in sharpener is mediocre (use a craft knife instead), but the tin earns its keep.

Comparison with General’s: I created identical portrait studies with both brands. The General’s version had smoother gradations and richer blacks. The Derwent version had crisper edges and cleaner detail work. Neither was “better”—they achieved different aesthetic qualities.

Who should buy Derwent:

• Detail-oriented artists who prioritize control over blending
• Anyone bothered by charcoal mess
• Artists transitioning from graphite who want more familiar feel
• Architectural or technical illustrators using charcoal
• Plein air artists who need durability and less mess in field conditions
• Anyone who values precision over expressive tonal work

Who should skip Derwent:

• Artists focused on smooth tonal blending
• Anyone wanting the absolute darkest blacks available
• Artists who already own General’s and love the powdery, blendable quality
• Beginners on tight budgets (General’s offers better value)

Specific recommendations:

If buying Derwent, get the 6-pencil tin (around ). It includes one Light, two Medium, two Dark, and White—a good range for most work. The duplicate Medium and Dark grades are useful since you’ll use those most.

Alternatively, buy Medium, Dark, and Extra Dark individually if you want to minimize investment.

Verdict: Excellent charcoal pencils that serve a specific purpose—controlled, clean charcoal work. If you value precision over blending, less mess over ultimate darkness, Derwent delivers beautifully. These aren’t worse than General’s; they’re different. Choose based on your priorities: blending and darkness (General’s) or control and cleanliness (Derwent). Both belong in a comprehensive charcoal toolkit.

Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Charcoal Pencils

Available grades: 2B, 4B, 6B (two of each in 6-pencil set)

Current price: for 6-pencil set; .50-3 per individual pencil

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials, specialty art retailers

Best for: Environmentally conscious artists, reliable mid-range quality

Winsor & Newton is better known for paints than pencils, but their charcoal pencils offer solid mid-range performance with a focus on sustainability.

Pros:

• Sustainably grown linden wood casing (FSC certified)
• Very good blending and smudging characteristics
• Comfortable 8mm barrel size
• Good darkness range with 6B grade
• Reliable consistency from pencil to pencil
• Set includes two of each grade (useful since you use more of certain grades)
• Mid-range pricing more affordable than premium brands

Cons:

• Grade range limited to just 2B, 4B, 6B (no HB for lightest values, no white)
• Variance in hardness between grades not as stark as some brands
• Less distinctive personality than General’s or Cretacolor
• Performance doesn’t quite justify premium over General’s

Performance scores:

• Smoothness: 8/10
• Blendability: 8/10
• Darkness: 8/10
• Erasability: 8/10
• Sustainability: 10/10

Who should buy Winsor & Newton:

• Artists who prioritize sustainable, ethically sourced materials
• Anyone wanting reliable mid-range quality from a trusted brand
• Artists who use 2B, 4B, 6B most (the available range)

Who should skip:

• Anyone needing HB for lightest values or white for highlights
• Budget-conscious artists (General’s offers equal quality at lower price)
• Artists seeking distinctive charcoal characteristics

Verdict: Solid, dependable charcoal pencils that won’t excite you but won’t disappoint you. The sustainability credentials appeal to environmentally conscious artists. Performance sits between General’s and premium brands—good but not exceptional. Choose these if eco-friendliness matters or you appreciate Winsor & Newton’s reliability, but General’s offers better value for pure performance.

Koh-I-Noor Gioconda Charcoal Pencil Set

What’s included: 6 pencils—Black, Charcoal, White Chalk, Sepia Dark, Sepia Light, Red Chalk (based on natural pigments)

Current price: for 6-pencil set

Where to buy: Blick Art Materials, specialty retailers

Best for: Tonal studies, artists interested in historical drawing techniques, sepia work

This Czech brand offers something different—not just black charcoal but sepia and red chalk options that expand your tonal palette.

Pros:

• Rich, satinlike finish unique to this brand
• Sepia options (dark and light) perfect for classical-style studies
• Red chalk (sanguine) allows for traditional trois crayons technique
• Highly pigmented—creates strong marks with light pressure
• Excellent blending characteristics on both dark and light papers
• Artist-grade quality at mid-range pricing

Cons:

• More expensive than basic sets without offering better black charcoal
• The variety of colors means fewer gradations in black
• Not ideal if you only want black charcoal pencils
• Less available than major brands

Performance scores:

• Smoothness: 8/10
• Blendability: 9/10
• Darkness: 8/10
• Specialty value: 10/10 (sepia and red chalk are unique)

Who should buy Koh-I-Noor Gioconda:

• Artists interested in classical drawing techniques
• Anyone wanting sepia tones for warm, aged-looking drawings
• Artists exploring trois crayons (black, white, red chalk on toned paper)
• Intermediate artists expanding beyond basic black charcoal

Who should skip:

• Beginners needing basic black charcoal gradations
• Artists wanting maximum value for pure charcoal performance
• Anyone not interested in sepia or red chalk options

Verdict: A specialty set that shines when you want more than just black and white. The sepia and red chalk options let you create drawings with historical character. If you’re only interested in black charcoal, buy General’s instead. If you want to explore traditional tonal drawing with natural pigments, this set is perfect.

General’s Primo Euro Blend Charcoal Pencils

Available grades: HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, White

Current price: per pencil

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials, Jerry’s Artarama

Best for: Artists who want General’s quality with luxury smoothness

General’s premium line combines American and European charcoal traditions for their smoothest, most refined charcoal pencils.

Pros:

• Exceptionally smooth, creamy application—luxury feel
• Excellent blendability even beyond standard General’s
• Can be used alone or with other media
• Good for quick oil painting layouts (traditional use)
• Same great General’s darkness and range
• More durable than standard General’s (slightly firmer binder)

Cons:

• Double the price of standard General’s ( vs .50-2)
• Performance improvement is subtle—not 2x better despite 2x price
• Still quite messy (powdery like standard General’s)
• Harder to justify the premium unless charcoal is your primary medium

Performance scores:

• Smoothness: 10/10 (the smoothest charcoal pencil I’ve tested)
• Blendability: 10/10 (exceptional)
• Darkness: 9/10 (same excellent range as standard General’s)
• Erasability: 8/10

Testing comparison with standard General’s: The difference is real but subtle. Primo feels silkier across paper—think premium ice cream versus good ice cream. For most drawings, standard General’s suffices. For highly rendered portrait work where you’re doing extensive blending, Primo’s superior smoothness becomes noticeable.

Who should buy Primo Euro Blend:

• Professional charcoal artists who want the absolute smoothest application
• Anyone doing highly rendered, blend-heavy work
• Artists who use charcoal as their primary medium and can justify the premium
• Oil painters using charcoal for preliminary layouts (traditional application)

Who should skip:

• Beginners (standard General’s teaches the same techniques)
• Budget-conscious artists
• Anyone happy with standard General’s performance
• Casual charcoal users

Verdict: Luxury General’s—noticeably smoother but double the price. The improvement is real but incremental. Think of this as upgrading from a Toyota to a Lexus—both get you there reliably, but one feels more refined. Only worth the premium if charcoal is your passion and you genuinely appreciate the silkier application.

Professional/Premium Options (+ per pencil)

Cretacolor Charcoal Pencils

Available grades: Soft, Medium, Hard, Extra Soft (in various sets)

Current price: per pencil; premium sets

Where to buy: Blick Art Materials, Jerry’s Artarama, specialty art retailers

Best for: Professional artists seeking Austrian quality, extensive charcoal work, comprehensive sets with accessories

This is where we enter premium territory. Cretacolor, made in Austria, represents old-world quality and craftsmanship in charcoal pencils.

Pros:

• Exceptional smoothness: Premium-grade charcoal glides across paper beautifully
• Austrian manufacturing: Consistent quality control and traditional methods
• Comprehensive sets available: “Black Box” and other sets include extensive range plus accessories
• Rich, velvety blacks: Soft and Extra Soft grades produce stunning darkness
• Professional-grade quality: Manufactured to exacting standards
• Excellent blendability: Smooth gradations with good control
• Wide range: Multiple grades provide complete value spectrum

Cons:

• Expensive: At per pencil, premium pricing
• Less widely available: Harder to find than General’s or Derwent
• Sets can be overwhelming: Large sets include tools beginners may not need yet
• Premium doesn’t always mean proportional improvement: Performance excellent but incremental over General’s
• Overkill for casual use: Best suited to serious charcoal artists

Performance scores:

• Smoothness: 9/10 (excellent premium quality)
• Blendability: 9/10 (creates beautiful smooth gradations)
• Darkness: 9/10 (Extra Soft produces rich velvety blacks)
• Erasability: 8/10
• Durability: 8/10 (well-made, quality materials)
• Value: 6/10 (excellent quality but expensive)

Detailed testing notes:

Cretacolor represents European charcoal pencil tradition at its finest. The difference between these and General’s is subtle but real—similar to comparing a hand-crafted tool to a mass-produced but excellent one.

The application quality is refined: Cretacolor pencils have a creamy, controlled feel. They’re not quite as powdery as General’s, which means slightly less mess but still excellent blending. The smoothness rivals Faber-Castell Pitt with perhaps even better consistency.

The “Black Box” set is comprehensive: Cretacolor’s signature set includes 20+ pieces—multiple charcoal pencils in various grades, compressed charcoal sticks, white charcoal, graphite, erasers, stumps, and more. For serious charcoal artists, it’s a complete professional toolkit. For beginners, it’s too much too soon.

Grade range and options: Depending on the set, you get Soft, Medium, Hard, and sometimes Extra Soft. The distinction between grades is clear and useful. Extra Soft is particularly impressive for the darkest darks.

When the premium is justified: I created portrait studies comparing Cretacolor to General’s. Both produced excellent results. Cretacolor felt slightly more refined in application—less “gritty” texture, smoother laydown. The difference matters if you’re a professional charcoal artist who works extensively in the medium and appreciates premium tools. For most artists, General’s delivers 85-90% of the performance at 35-40% of the price.

Who should buy Cretacolor:

• Professional charcoal artists who want premium European quality
• Anyone investing in a comprehensive charcoal toolkit (Black Box or similar sets)
• Advanced artists who appreciate traditional craftsmanship
• Artists whose income depends on charcoal artwork and who value refined tools
• Anyone who’s used General’s extensively and wants to experience premium alternatives

Who should skip Cretacolor:

• Beginners (learn fundamentals with General’s first)
• Budget-conscious artists (General’s offers better value)
• Casual charcoal users
• Anyone unsure if they need premium quality

Specific recommendations:

If buying Cretacolor, consider their sets rather than individual pencils—you get better value and a complete range. The “Black Box” set is expensive () but includes everything for serious charcoal work.

Alternatively, buy Soft, Medium, and Extra Soft individually to test the quality before investing in full sets.

Verdict: Premium charcoal pencils representing traditional European quality and craftsmanship. The performance is excellent but incremental over General’s—you’re paying for refinement, consistency, and comprehensive sets. Worth the investment if you’re a serious charcoal artist who values premium tools and wants a complete professional setup. For most artists, General’s offers better performance-to-price ratio, but Cretacolor delivers undeniable quality for those who want the best.

Faber-Castell Pitt Charcoal Pencils

Available grades: Soft, Medium, Hard

Current price: per pencil; sets around

Where to buy: Amazon, Blick Art Materials, specialty retailers

Best for: Artists wanting premium quality from a legendary brand

Faber-Castell brings German engineering to charcoal pencils. You’re paying for heritage, quality control, and smooth performance.

Pros:

• Ultra-smooth application comparable to Cretacolor
• Long-lasting—cores don’t break as easily as cheaper brands
• Less brittle than many charcoal pencils despite softness
• Excellent blending characteristics
• Premium quality from brand with 260+ year history
• Consistent manufacturing tolerances
• Beautiful packaging

Cons:

• Expensive at per pencil
• Performance advantage over General’s is subtle
• Only three grades (Soft, Medium, Hard)
• Premium price doesn’t translate to proportional performance improvement
• More brand prestige than functional superiority

Performance scores:

• Smoothness: 9/10
• Blendability: 9/10
• Darkness: 9/10
• Erasability: 8/10
• Durability: 8/10
• Brand prestige: 10/10

Who should buy Faber-Castell Pitt:

• Artists who appreciate premium art supplies and brand heritage
• Anyone wanting excellent quality with better durability than ultra-soft brands
• Professional artists seeking reliability and consistency
• Artists who value smooth application and are willing to pay for it

Who should skip:

• Budget-conscious artists (General’s offers 85% of the performance at 40% of the price)
• Beginners
• Anyone seeking maximum value

Verdict: Excellent charcoal pencils that deliver premium quality—but the premium is more about brand heritage than functional superiority over General’s. Buy these if you appreciate fine art supplies and want German engineering, not if you’re seeking the best performance-to-price ratio.

Special Use Cases: Best Charcoal Pencils for Specific Techniques

Your artistic focus should drive your charcoal pencil choice. Different techniques demand different properties.

Best for Portrait Drawing (Detail + Tonal Control)

Primary needs: Range from subtle mid-tones to rich darks, excellent blendability for skin tones, control for facial features

Top pick: General’s 2B, 4B, 6B + White 558
Runner-up: Faber-Castell Pitt Soft, Medium + General’s White 558
Budget option: Conte à Paris HB, B, 2B

Why these work: Portrait drawing demands both precision (for features like eyes, nose, lips) and smooth tonal transitions (for skin, hair, clothing). You need to move seamlessly from light forehead highlights to deep shadow under the chin.

Specific approach:

• Use HB or 2B for lightest facial values (highlights on forehead, nose, cheekbones)
• Apply 4B for mid-tone areas (most of the face, transitional zones)
• Reserve 6B for darkest darks (pupils, nostrils, deepest hair shadows, shadow under chin)
• Add General’s White 558 for bright highlights in eyes, nose tip, lip highlights

Paper recommendation: Medium-tooth drawing paper (Strathmore 400 Series, Canson Drawing) provides enough texture for charcoal to grip while allowing smooth blending. Avoid very rough paper that creates excessive texture in skin tones.

Why General’s wins for portraits: The combination of excellent blending (essential for skin tones), full value range (five grades), and affordable pricing (use charcoal liberally without anxiety) makes General’s ideal for portrait work. Faber-Castell Pitt’s superior smoothness and German quality justify the premium only if you’re doing professional commissioned portraits where ultimate quality matters.

Best for Landscape and Large-Scale Drawings

Primary needs: Coverage of large areas efficiently, expressive marks, full value range, freedom to use charcoal liberally

Top pick: General’s 4B and 6B (buy multiple pencils to use freely)
Alternative: General’s 4B/6B + compressed charcoal sticks for blocking in large areas
Budget approach: Conte à Paris 2B + vine charcoal sticks

Why these work: Large-scale landscape drawings require covering significant paper area. You need charcoal you can use without worrying about cost, plus the ability to work expressively and quickly.

Specific approach:

• Use compressed charcoal sticks or vine charcoal for blocking in major shapes and large areas
• Refine with 4B and 6B charcoal pencils for mid-tones and darks
• Work loosely and expressively—landscape doesn’t require portrait-level precision
• Layer values quickly rather than blending extensively

Paper recommendation: Larger sheets (18×24″ or bigger), medium to rough texture to handle heavy charcoal application

Why General’s wins for landscapes: The affordable pricing (.50-2 per pencil) means you can buy multiple 4B and 6B pencils and use them freely to cover large areas. Premium brands like Cretacolor don’t offer sufficient value advantage to justify the cost when you’re using charcoal generously.

Budget consideration: A large charcoal landscape might use 2-3 General’s 6B pencils (worn down through heavy use). At .50-6, that’s sustainable. Using Cretacolor would cost for the same drawing—the 3x price increase isn’t justified for large-scale expressive work.

Best for Detail Work and Fine Lines

Primary needs: Sharp point retention, less smudging, precision control, cleaner working environment

Top pick: Derwent Light, Medium, Dark
Alternative: Conte à Paris HB, B
Also consider: Faber-Castell Pitt Hard, Medium

Why these work: Detail work requires pencils that hold points well and don’t smudge accidentally. Firmer charcoal formulations excel here.

Specific approach:

• Sharpen frequently to maintain fine points
• Use light pressure and build gradually
• Work from less important areas toward focal points (reduces accidental smudging)
• Use Bristol smooth or medium paper for cleaner lines
• Spray fixative frequently to protect detailed work

Paper recommendation: Smoother surfaces (Bristol, hot-press watercolor paper) create cleaner lines without rough paper texture interfering with details

Why Derwent wins for detail work: The firmer composition holds sharp points longer than softer brands like General’s. While General’s creates beautiful tonal work, it’s too soft for maintaining the precise points needed for intricate details. Derwent’s slight scratchiness is actually beneficial here—it gives you feedback and control.

Technique tip: Combine Derwent for detail work with General’s for tonal areas. This gives you best of both worlds—precision where needed, blending where wanted.

Best for Mixed Media (Charcoal + Other Materials)

Primary needs: Controlled application, compatibility with other media, less powdery to avoid muddying other layers

Top pick: Conte à Paris HB, B, 2B
Alternative: Derwent Medium, Dark
Consider: Any firmer charcoal brand

Why these work: When combining charcoal with ink, pastel, colored pencil, or watercolor, you need charcoal that won’t overwhelm the other media. Less powdery formulations layer more cleanly.

Specific approach:

• Apply charcoal first for value structure, then add other media
• OR add charcoal last for shadows and depth
• Use fixative between layers to prevent smudging and mixing
• Keep charcoal application controlled—don’t go as heavy as you would in pure charcoal work
• Test combinations on scrap paper first

Fixative is critical: You must seal charcoal layers before applying other media or everything will muddy together

Why Conte wins for mixed media: The slightly waxy, less powdery composition means Conte won’t migrate into other media layers as aggressively as very powdery charcoal like General’s. This gives you more control when layering multiple materials.

Successful combinations:

• Charcoal + Ink: Charcoal for tonal values, ink for bold darks and linework
• Charcoal + Pastel: Charcoal for structure, pastel for color
• Charcoal + Colored Pencil: Charcoal establishes values, colored pencil adds color and detail
• Charcoal + Watercolor: Light charcoal sketch, watercolor layers, charcoal refining

Best for Plein Air and Travel

Primary needs: Durability (won’t break in bag), less mess (field conditions), minimal equipment, portability

Top pick: Conte à Paris or Derwent (more durable)
Alternative: General’s Peel & Sketch (no sharpening needed)
Minimal kit: Derwent Medium + Dark + kneaded eraser + sketchbook

Why these work: Field work demands charcoal that survives in your bag and doesn’t create excessive mess when you’re drawing outdoors.

Specific approach:

• Limit to 2-3 pencils maximum (Medium and Dark cover most needs)
• Bring small kneaded eraser, fold piece of sandpaper for sharpening
• Use hard-bound sketchbook with built-in paper protection
• Spray fixative when you return home (don’t bring spray cans outdoors)
• Accept looser, more gestural work in field conditions

Storage solution: Hard pencil case prevents breakage. Altoids tin works perfectly for 2-3 pencils, small eraser, and sandpaper piece.

Why Conte/Derwent win for plein air: Firmer formulations hold up better to being jostled in bags, temperature changes, and field conditions. Less powdery nature means less mess on your hands when you can’t wash them easily.

Alternative approach with Peel & Sketch: General’s paper-wrapped pencils eliminate sharpening needs—just peel and draw. This minimizes equipment (no knife, no sandpaper) but offers less protection against breaking.

Best for Black + White Charcoal Technique (Toned Paper)

Primary needs: Compatibility between black and white charcoal, smooth blending of both, proper toned paper

Top pick: General’s Charcoal (2B, 4B, 6B) + General’s White 558
Alternative: Faber-Castell Pitt (Soft, Medium) + General’s White 558
Paper: Canson Mi-Teintes, Strathmore Artagain (gray or tan tones)

Why these work: Black and white charcoal technique requires both colors to blend seamlessly together. General’s white is brighter and blends more smoothly than Conte white.

The concept: Use toned paper as your mid-tone value. Add darks with black charcoal, add lights with white charcoal. The paper showing through serves as mid-tone, dramatically reducing the amount of work needed to establish full value range.

Specific approach:

1. Choose mid-tone gray or tan paper (not too light, not too dark)
2. Sketch composition lightly with HB or 2B
3. Identify darkest darks and lightest lights
4. Add darkest darks with 6B black charcoal
5. Add lightest lights with General’s White 558
6. Work toward mid-tones from both extremes
7. Let paper color show through as much as possible
8. Blend blacks and whites together where values meet

Why General’s White 558 is essential: It’s the brightest white charcoal available and blends beautifully with any black charcoal brand. Conte white is more blue-toned and doesn’t layer as smoothly.

Temperature shift consideration: When you blend black and white charcoal together, the resulting mid-tone has a cooler (more blue) temperature than black charcoal alone. This creates a silvery, velvety quality that’s beautiful but distinct. Some artists love this; others prefer warmer tones.

Paper color matters: Gray paper creates cooler overall temperature. Tan or warm gray papers create warmer feel. Test different toned papers to find your preference.

Example subjects: Portraits, still life, dramatic lighting situations, anything where strong value contrast exists

Frequently Asked Questions About Charcoal Pencils

What are the best charcoal pencils for beginners?

For absolute beginners, the Staedtler Mars Lumograph Charcoal Set () offers the best value—it includes everything you need to start (4 pencils, eraser, stump, sharpener) in one affordable package without missing supplies.

If you want to invest slightly more for better quality, General’s Charcoal Pencils (buy 2B, 4B, 6B for about total) provide professional-level performance at beginner-friendly prices. These won’t limit your progress as you develop skills.

Both options balance affordability with quality, letting you learn charcoal without wasting money if you decide the medium isn’t for you. Start with one of these, then expand your collection as you discover which grades and brands suit your style.

What’s the difference between charcoal and graphite pencils?

The fundamental differences are:

Finish: Charcoal creates matte, velvety blacks while graphite produces shiny, metallic grays. Graphite’s reflective quality becomes more pronounced in darker values, while charcoal absorbs light for deep, rich blacks.

Darkness range: Charcoal achieves much deeper blacks without the metallic sheen that limits graphite’s darkest values. A 6B charcoal pencil creates blacks that 9B graphite cannot match.

Blendability: Charcoal’s powdery nature makes it highly blendable but messier. Graphite is cleaner but requires more deliberate technique to blend smoothly.

Structure: At the atomic level, graphite has a uniform layered structure while charcoal has an irregular, porous structure—explaining their different behaviors on paper.

Best uses: Choose charcoal for dramatic contrast, tonal work, expressive drawing, and rich blacks. Choose graphite for fine detail, precision, clean process, and controlled linework.

Many professional artists use both media depending on the project rather than viewing them as competing options.

How do you sharpen charcoal pencils without breaking them?

Use a craft knife (like X-Acto) instead of pencil sharpeners:

1. Hold pencil firmly but not tightly
2. Place knife at 20-30 degree angle to pencil
3. Carefully carve away wood, rotating pencil as you go
4. Expose 1/4″ to 3/8″ of charcoal core
5. Shape exposed core with sandpaper block (180-220 grit)
6. Rotate pencil while sanding for even point
7. Test point on scrap paper

Never use standard pencil sharpeners—they put too much pressure on fragile charcoal cores and cause breaking. Even if the core doesn’t snap immediately, internal fractures weaken the pencil.

Sharpening frequency: Charcoal dulls faster than graphite. Expect to sharpen every 30-60 minutes of active drawing for detail work, less frequently for broad tonal work.

Are charcoal pencils erasable?

Yes, charcoal pencils are more erasable than graphite. The powdery nature sits on paper rather than embedding into it, allowing you to lift marks throughout your drawing process.

Best erasers:

• Kneaded eraser (primary tool): Dab and lift rather than rubbing
• Vinyl eraser: More aggressive removal for bigger mistakes
• Electric eraser: Precision highlights and fine details

Technique matters: Press kneaded eraser onto area, then lift. Rubbing spreads charcoal and damages paper. Knead eraser to fresh surface between uses.

Limitation: You cannot return to pure white paper after heavy charcoal application. Plan for this—preserve white areas or plan to add white charcoal highlights.

Brand differences: More powdery brands (General’s, Cretacolor) erase slightly easier than firmer brands (Conte, Derwent), though all charcoal erases adequately.

What paper should I use with charcoal pencils?

Use paper with medium tooth (texture)—charcoal needs surface texture to grip.

Excellent options:

• Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper: Medium tooth, excellent quality, affordable
• Canson Drawing Paper: Good texture, widely available
• Canson Mi-Teintes: Available in toned colors, two surface textures (rough and smooth)
• Fabriano Academia: European quality, nice texture

Avoid:

• Too smooth (bristol smooth, marker paper): Charcoal won’t adhere properly
• Too rough (very textured watercolor paper): Excessive texture dominates your drawing

For toned paper techniques: Canson Mi-Teintes or Strathmore Artagain in gray, tan, or earth tones

Size recommendation: Start with 9×12″ or 11×14″ for practice. Scale up to 18×24″ once comfortable.

Paper color: White paper for traditional charcoal work. Toned gray or tan for black + white charcoal technique.

What are the different grades of charcoal pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)?

Charcoal pencil grades indicate hardness and darkness:

• HB: Hardest and lightest available in charcoal (though rare)
• 2B: Medium soft, good for mid-tones and general drawing
• 4B: Soft and darker, excellent for shadows and rich values
• 6B: Softest and darkest, creates deep velvety blacks

Higher B number = softer and darker. This is the same system as graphite but charcoal rarely includes H grades beyond HB.

Alternative labeling: Some brands (like Derwent) use Light, Medium, Dark, Extra Dark instead of numerical grades. These roughly correspond to HB, 2B, 4B, 6B respectively.

Essential minimum: You need at least three grades (light, medium, dark) to create drawings with full value range. Four to five grades is ideal.

Practical application: Use HB/2B for light values and highlights, 4B for mid-tones and general shading, 6B for darkest darks and deep shadows. The paper white serves as your lightest light.

How do you blend charcoal pencils?

Blending tools:

• Paper stumps (blending stumps): Dense paper cylinders, different sizes for different areas
• Tortillons: Rolled paper, softer and more flexible than stumps
• Soft brushes: Create smoothest blends (cheap craft brushes work fine)
• Chamois: Traditional tool for large soft areas
• Fingers: Quick but leaves oils on paper—use sparingly

Technique:

1. Apply charcoal values first (don’t try to blend while drawing)
2. Use circular motions with stump or tortillon
3. Blend in direction of form when creating dimensional objects
4. For brushes, use very soft synthetic or natural hair
5. Clean stumps by rubbing on sandpaper

Common mistake: Over-blending eliminates all texture and contrast, creating muddy mid-tone gray blob. Blend enough to smooth transitions but preserve some texture and value variation.

When to blend: After establishing your values, not during application. Build up charcoal first, then refine with blending.

Can you use charcoal pencils with white charcoal?

Yes! This is an excellent technique, especially on toned paper.

How it works:

• Use mid-tone gray or tan paper
• Paper color serves as mid-tone value
• Add darks with black charcoal
• Add lights with white charcoal
• Blend both where values meet

Best white charcoal: General’s White 558 is brightest and blends most smoothly with black charcoal. Conte white is more blue-toned and doesn’t layer as well.

Temperature shift: When black and white charcoal blend together, they create a cooler (more blue) temperature than black charcoal alone. This silvery quality is beautiful but distinct—test to see if you like the effect.

Applications: Portraits, still life, dramatic lighting, anything where strong value contrast exists. This technique dramatically speeds up value establishment since the paper provides mid-tones automatically.

What’s the difference between compressed charcoal and charcoal pencils?

Charcoal pencils ARE compressed charcoal encased in wood. The wood casing provides:

• Protection: Charcoal core less likely to break
• Control: Easier to handle for precise work
• Cleanliness: Less mess on hands
• Sharpening: Can create very fine points

Compressed charcoal sticks are the same material without wood casing:

• Versatility: Use tips, edges, sides, flat surfaces for varied marks
• Coverage: Faster for large areas
• Mess: More charcoal on hands and work surface
• Control: Harder to achieve precision

When to use both: Many artists use compressed charcoal sticks for blocking in large areas and initial stages, then refine with charcoal pencils for details and precision work.

Vine charcoal vs compressed: Vine charcoal is burnt wood (lightest, most erasable). Compressed charcoal is charcoal powder + binder (darker, more permanent). Charcoal pencils use compressed charcoal.

Are expensive charcoal pencils worth it?

It depends on your needs and priorities.

General’s Charcoal Pencils (.50-2 each) deliver 90% of premium performance at 40% of the price—the best value for most artists. Unless you have specific needs that cheaper options don’t meet, General’s suffices.

Premium pencils like Cretacolor ( each) are worth it if:

• Charcoal is your primary or favorite medium
• Ultimate blending quality significantly impacts your work
• You’re doing professional commission work where slight quality differences matter
• Time efficiency matters (Cretacolor blends faster, potentially saving hours)
• You’ve used General’s extensively and genuinely need what premium brands offer

Not worth it if:

• You’re experimenting with charcoal for the first time
• Charcoal is an occasional medium
• You’re a student on budget
• You can’t articulate specific limitations of General’s

Cost-benefit reality: For most artists, the performance difference doesn’t justify 2-3x price increase. Save money on pencils, invest in quality paper, good lighting, and dedicated practice time instead.

Key Takeaways: Choosing Your Perfect Charcoal Pencils

After testing 20+ brands and creating hundreds of charcoal drawings, here’s what matters:

Best overall value: General’s Charcoal Pencils deliver professional performance at beginner-friendly prices (.50-2/pencil). These are the benchmark all others are judged against—smooth application, excellent blending, rich blacks, and proven reliability since 1889.

Beginner starting point: Either Staedtler Mars Lumograph Set () for complete all-in-one package, or General’s 2B, 4B, 6B trio ( total) for pure quality. Both let you learn charcoal without wasting money.

Essential minimum: You need at least three grades (light, medium, dark) for full value range. Four to five grades including white is ideal. Single-grade pencils severely limit your capability.

Skill-level matching matters: Beginners benefit from less messy options (Conte à Paris, Staedtler). Intermediate artists appreciate General’s performance-to-price balance. Advanced artists might justify premium brands (Cretacolor) if blending is primary focus.

Use-case drives choice: Detail work needs firmer brands (Derwent). Tonal blending wants softer options (General’s, Cretacolor). Large-scale work requires affordable pencils you’ll use liberally (General’s). Mixed media needs controlled application (Conte).

When premium is justified: Only if charcoal is your primary medium, blending quality is critical for your work, or you’re doing professional commission work. For most artists, General’s suffices.

Complete beginner kit for under :

• General’s 2B, 4B, 6B ()
• General’s White 558 ()
• Kneaded eraser ()
• Strathmore 400 Series pad 9×12″ ()
• Craft knife ()
• Total:

That’s everything you need to create professional-quality charcoal drawings. Expand from this foundation as you discover your preferences and style.

Questions or want personalized recommendations? The charcoal pencils that serve you best depend on your artistic goals, skill level, and working style. Start with General’s trio for value, experiment with Conte or Derwent if you want less mess or more control, consider Cretacolor only after you’ve mastered standard charcoal and know you need ultimate blending.

The best charcoal pencil is the one that lets you create the artwork you envision. Start drawing, learn your preferences, then invest accordingly.

Last Updated: January 2026

About the Author: This comprehensive guide is based on testing 20+ charcoal pencil brands across 6 months of intensive drawing practice, from portrait studies to landscape sketches. All product recommendations reflect hands-on experience and honest assessment of performance, value, and suitability for different skill levels.