Pencils, ContinuedLeadLead is made of a composition of substance and binder. The substance of acompositionpencil lead can be graphite, carbon, charcoal, lithographic grease, coloredpigment, wax, or pastel. The binder is relatively unimportant unless you arewriting on a slick surface. The selection of a pencil lead is a matter ofpersonal preference and creative intent; however, some guidelines do apply.GRAPHITE: Graphite leads leave a dense black line with a shiny surfacethat can reflect light or glare when photographed for reproduction. Ashumidity increases, the lead softens and smears easily. In extremely dryconditions, the graphite produces a dusty residue.CARBON: Carbon pencils produce a dense, dull-surfaced black line that isnot affected by humidity to the same extent that graphite is. Carbon pencilstend to smear if they are not freed by a commercial fixative.CHARCOAL PENCILS: Charcoal pencils are not always found in a woodcasing. Charcoal is available as sticks and in powder form. Charcoalproduces a dense, dull black line.LITHOGRAPHIC PENCILS: This pencil produces a dense black line whichtends to be greasy. Its primary purpose is marking lithographic plates, but italso marks well on glass and plastics.COLOR PENCILS: In a color pencil, pigment determines the color of theline and binder determines whether it is water soluble or waterproof. Somebinders have a waxy binder that makes it difficult to erase or blend them.PASTEL PENCILS: Once available only in stick form, pastels are now inpencil form. The characteristics of the pastel pigment remain the same. Inthe pastel, the pigment may be dry or oil-based. They leave a dull, chalkyline and come in many colors. Pastels more popular form is still in sticksand powder.2-62
Integrated Publishing, Inc. - A (SDVOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
