How Artists Sharpen Pencils Like This

Overview

Selina Jelovic demonstrates how to sharpen a drawing pencil with a craft knife and sandpaper, exposing a long section of graphite. Compared with a conventionally sharpened pencil, this shape offers more drawing angles and a sharper point. It also encourages a looser grip, which can give the artist greater control.

Materials

• A sharp blade
• A block of sandpaper
• A paper towel

Sharpening Process

1. Hold the knife steady in your dominant hand. Use your non-dominant thumb to push the blade up through the pencil’s wood.
2. Tilt the blade as needed, bringing it almost parallel to the pencil near the graphite.
3. Carefully carve away the wood, leaving the lead intact. If wood or glue remains on the graphite, gently scrape it away with very little pressure.
4. Rub the exposed lead against the sandpaper, keeping it nearly parallel to the surface. Rotate the pencil as you work so the point sharpens evenly.
5. For a finer point, finish by rubbing the lead against the sandpaper.
6. Wipe graphite dust from the lead with a paper towel before drawing.

Tips

Avoid applying excessive pressure near the lead, and take care not to drop the pencil, as this could break the graphite inside. Initial sharpening takes time, but subsequent touch-ups with sandpaper can be quicker than using a regular sharpener.