Media: Drawing — Graphite Shades of yesteryear 1795 was a very good year for artists. Before graphite pencils were patented in that year, many artists sketched with unreliable, unstable raw minerals, such as lead. Graphite pencils are made of carbon mixed with clay, and they produce the same gray lines and shading effects as lead — but without the dangerous health consequences. Go for the graphite Today, graphite is perhaps the most inexpensive, reliable, and widely used drawing medium. Softer grades of graphite create gentle gray shades, and can be smudged to produce a smoky, hazy effect. Artists use harder grades of graphite to produce sharper, harder lines. The following examples of graphite drawings by NextMonet artists demonstrate the range of visual effects that can be achieved with graphite. Click on an image to learn more about that individual artwork. Curtis Whaley John McKaig Tatiana Garmendia The main types of drawing are: Charcoal  Conté Crayon  Graphite  Ink Wash  Pastel  Scratchboard