A pencil forms an essential writing tool in student’s box. It is also often an essential equipment in an artist’s set. In this case it could mean several types of pencils.
A pencil is essentially a thin strand of graphite mixed with clay, known as the lead which is encased in a wooden or a plastic shaft, sometimes with an eraser at one end.
It can be sharpened using a knife or an eraser to expose the graphite tip from the wooden casing as it diminishes while writing.
History of Pencil
The pencil as we know it has its origin in the Roman stylus which was subsequently made with a lead core. It made dark marks but was prone to smudging, apart from being poisonous. In 1564 the discovery of graphite deposits in England brought in the modern pencil. The graphite was very brittle and expensive. The pencils were made by wrapping a thin cylindrical piece of graphite rolled in a sheepskin to prevent from snapping. Germany was the first to introduce the mass produced pencils in 1662 by mixing graphite powder with clay.
Types of Pencils
Regular pencils – these are the pencils that are used most commonly for writing
Colour Pencils – their core is made up of colour pigments are used for colouring mostly by children as they are easy to use and don’t leave a mess.
Water colour pencils – again with pigment cores, they can be used to fill in colours in a drawing and with a wet brush, used to get the water colour effect.
Artist’s pencils – these are different shades of blackness by the proportion of clay mixed to make them harder or darker. They range from 9H, the hardest to 9B, the blackest.
Carpenter’s pencils – are usually hexagonal to keep them from rolling while at work on different surfaces.
Mechanical pencils – are made of plastic with a very thin shaft to hold the leads that can be pushed ahead as they are used and can be refilled as they are used up, by clicking at the rear end.
- The commonest use is writing, particularly for children to erase and rewrite in case of mistakes.
- Artists use pencils to make sketches or full-fledged drawings with varying shades of blackness.
- Pencils are used to make markings for carpenters and masons.
- Pencils are useful for making rough sketches before a final draft.
- Pencils are good for drawing diagrams for students as refinement can be easy.
- As a first writing tool, pencils are very safe and easy for children.
- Colour pencils are a fun way for children to experiment with art.
- Water colour pencils are a great option for artists.
- Pencils are a great way to take quick notes that can be corrected.
- Writing with pencils leads to forming good handwriting for children in the early years.
Pencils are a versatile implement in a stationary box and children must be encouraged to use them.