How can I stop my pencils breaking?

Question

I have a complete set of drawing pencils which break continuously when I sharpen them. I can't get a point on any of them and so they are starting to look like a complete waste of money. Are they broken inside and so beyond repair or is there someway I can salvage them and get a decent tip???!!!

Many thanks :-)

P.S. They were bought for me quite a while ago so it's too late to return them at the shop!

Answer 1

You don't say how you are sharpening them. A pencil sharpener is only suitable for pencils with hard leads - and drawing pencils often have soft leads. A scalpel (with a fresh blade) is my preferred tool, it also allows you to form the tip to your needs. For very soft leads you might need to use sandpaper.

Answer 2

Use softer leaded pencils.



the HB rating tells you how hard or soft they are.



The harder they are means they're more brittle and more likely to break when sharpened to a point.



Try using less pressure when they are newly sharpened.



EDIT...



Ahh i see



In that case then the lead in the shaft may well be broken in pieces rendering them useless.



You could try returning them but i wouldn't expect any joy on that front.



All i can suggest is you sharpen the pencil from the opposite end.

Answer 3

Buy a sharpner made especially for make-up pencils they have typically have sections to sharpen fat & thin pencils try not to drop the pencil on a hard surface that causes breakage you could try placing the pencil in an ice compartment or freezing before needing to sharpen that may stop breakage

Answer 4

If you have been pulling mainly from photographs and want to raise your game to another level, that https://tr.im/W6kEB , Realistic Pencil Portrait Mastery guide is obviously a obtain you may want to consider.  If you are seeking to manage to draw the individual head and face in 3 dimensions from the mind, look elsewhere.

Realistic Pencil Portrait Mastery eBook  comprises of 208 pages, 605 delineations, and high determination photographs to offer for you orderly aides that you can learn how to draw pictures at home.