'Sardonic Holmes (Jeremy Brett)', 14 x 10 in., graphite on paper, © 2000 Karen G. Jollie |
This is a pencil portrait of British actor Jeremy Brett as he appeared in the TV series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. > Pencil, 'lead' pencil, or 'graphite' is one of the most versatile art media known. It can produce a wide range of values from black to a light silvery gray, depending on the hardness of the lead and pressure used to apply it. It can be honed to a point to form fine lines for intricate detail, or dulled for broad, bold strokes for emphatic impressions, or smeared into subtle graduated shadings of grey. A pencil consists of a rod of graphite enclosed in a metal or wooden sheath. This instrument can either be held in 'writing' position , or under the hand to bring the side of the lead to bear. This way it can produce variations of line, from fine to broad. |
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Graphite itself is a mineral form of carbon, crystalized
under great pressure. It consists of microscopic "flakes" of carbon that slide readily past one another, therefore the mineral has a "greasy" feel. In fact, it is used as a lubricant for machines. The graphite in pencil "leads" is mixed with varying proportions of clay as a binder, producing various degrees of hardness [see page on Conté crayon ]. |
3-Headed Pile of Kittens, 6 x 8 in., graphite on paper, © 1995 Karen G. Jollie |
| There are 17 degrees of hardness. The softest pencil lead (6B) contains the most pure graphite and is the darkest. The hardest (9H) contains the most clay and produces a fine, silvery line for sensitive, highly- detailed drawings or for the preliminary sketches laid down for compositions in other media. The intermediate hardness is designated 'HB'. The average 'No. 2" writing pencil is equivalent to a '2B'. Whether dark or light, all graphite drawings have a sheen that reflects light, especially when seen at an angle to it. | |
| The artist, Karen G. Jollie, lives on Whidbey Island in Washington State and has been drawing most of her life.If you have any comments or suggestions, or have an interest in reproductions, | |
Contact the artist at:  To return to KJArt's Corner |
kgjart@yahoo.com Both drawings above are © 1998 Karen G. Jollie. |