Graphitone

Pure water-soluble graphite in a stick!

There are so many things you can do with Derwent Watersoluble Graphitone; use it like a graphite pencil, peel off the wrapper to use the stick whole, or break it into chunks to create broad sweeps of tone really quickly. Just add water and watch the graphite dissolve to create line and wash sketches.

Available in four versatile wash strengths, Graphitone is easy to use as its protective wrap simply peels away to expose as much or as little graphite as you need. And because the entire stick is 100% useable material, it’s very econonomical too.

Available individually in grades 2B, 4B, 8B and 6B

Ten Top Tips - by

1. Although Graphitone is watersoluble, don’t dissolve every mark or tone. Leave some dry for variety and impact.

2. Smudging dry marks or tone softens them. Use a paper stump or your fingers to blend.

3. Fine, dusty scrapings from the tip of Graphitone onto dry paper can be smudged into an even tone. Alternatively, when scraped onto wet paper, use a dry brush to give variations of tone

4. Enhance textural interest by drawing dry over a wet tone that has dried completely

5. Wet tones and marks that have completely dried can be lightened with a plastic eraser.

6. Impressing strokes or marks with an embossing tool, into dry white paper will be revealed as white when the 4B or 8B is stroked across the paper’s surface. Ideal for whiskers, ship’s rigging, wood grain, wire, even spider’s webs!

7. For the heaviest density, draw with the 8B. Wet with a damp brush and redraw into the wet area. Whilst still wet, the density can be reduced by blotting with a paper towel, if required.

8. Papers - smooth is ideal for fine detail and papers with a tooth are great for creating rough texture. Experiment with textured or embossed papers for variety

9. Use 2B gently for initial drawing and light shading. 4B to confirm and define a drawn design and for mid-tone smudging and wetted tones. The 8B should be used for heavier toned smudging, dense wet tones and dark, defined drawing.

10. Use all three on a paper palette to decide on the density required when wetted, before transferring it to your drawn painting.