What are the different types of pencils used for sketching?

The best pencils for sketching depends on the type of drawing being made, the the type of paper being used, as well as the artist's preferred technique. For quick sketching, such as those done in a figure drawing class, softer pencils are best. Harder pencils are best to use for finer drawing and things like crosshatching. Most pencils are made of graphite, and there are a number of different levels of hardness that  create a...

The best pencils for sketching depends on the type of drawing being made, the the type of paper being used, as well as the artist's preferred technique. For quick sketching, such as those done in a figure drawing class, softer pencils are best. Harder pencils are best to use for finer drawing and things like crosshatching. Most pencils are made of graphite, and there are a number of different levels of hardness that  create a different kind of mark on paper; this softness to hardness scale is indicated by letters on the pencils themselves, such as 4H for very hard to 9B for very soft; 2B is in the middle and is the usual "school pencil" we are all familiar with. The softer the pencil, the darker the mark it makes, and the easier it is to blend that mark with one's fingers or a gum eraser. The softer pencil makes a slightly thicker mark too, if not sharpened to a point constantly. Rougher paper surfaces will accept the pencil's mark more readily than smoother paper; but for more precision, smoother paper works better. These are all decisions the artist makes in creating the desired effect, and experimenting with different materials is part of the joy of making art.

Colored pencils can be used for sketching too, but normally artists use these in a layered effect to create colorful forms and shading, and colored pencils are not usually used for quick sketching. For one thing, they tend to cost more than graphite pencils, because they are made with pigments which can be quite costly. Some colored pencils are made with oil pigments and can create very painterly effects.