Pens & Pencils

How pens and pencils put a line on paper

A pencil works by leaving a little of its core on the paper, and that core is graphite mixed with clay. More clay gives a harder, paler line, and less gives a softer, darker one. Pencil grades show this with letters: H for hard, B for black and HB in between. A colouring pencil swaps graphite for coloured pigment in a softer core, so it lays down colour and blends as you build it up.

A pen works from ink held inside it. A ballpoint uses a tiny rolling ball to spread a thick, oil-based ink that dries very quickly, so it rarely smudges. Gel pens use a water-based ink thickened into a gel, so they glide more freely and give a bolder line, but the ink takes a moment longer to dry, which is worth knowing for a left-handed writer.

Choosing a pen or pencil for the person and the job

Start with the hand that will hold it. A wider barrel is easier for small fingers to grip, while a slimmer one suits joined-up writing and fine detail. Some of ours suit teenagers too, for revision notes, drawing or a desk of their own.

Then think about where it will live. Anything heading to school has to cope with a pencil case and a busy bag, a pot on the kitchen table keeps a few within reach for shopping lists and doodles, and a drawer is the place for the pen you save for cards and letters.

Weight, warmth and feel in the hand

What a pen or pencil is made from changes how it feels in your fingers. Many of ours are plastic, which keeps them light and easy to wipe clean. Some are made with metal, which brings a little weight and a cool, solid feel. You will also find some in wood, the material that comes to mind when you picture a pencil: warm to hold, and satisfying to sharpen.

Getting more from colouring pencils

Some of ours are made for colouring, and a few simple habits, easy to pass on, help colouring pencils give their best. Start with light pressure and build colour in layers rather than pressing hard on the first pass, which leaves room to blend one shade into the next. Short strokes in one direction, or small circles, give an even finish, and a sharp point keeps edges crisp. A heavier paper with a little texture holds more layers than thin printer paper.

Christmas stockings, party bags and the start of term

Some of ours are meant for Christmas and make good stocking fillers. A few suit party bags, and some are for going back to school, ready to pack before term starts. For the classroom, a pen or pencil that is comfortable to hold will still be a favourite when the holidays come round.

To make a little more of a gift, pair a pen with a notebook, a few pencils with a sharpener and a rubber, or colouring pencils with a colouring book, and tie them together with ribbon.

Keeping pens flowing and pencils sharp

Where a pen has a cap, put it back on straight after use so the tip does not dry out, and keep pens away from radiators and sunny windowsills, where heat can spoil the ink or make it leak. Whatever the barrel is made from, a soft, barely damp cloth lifts fingerprints and sticky marks; finish with a dry one and steer clear of the tip.

A pencil wants a sharp blade and a gentle hand. Turn it slowly and evenly rather than forcing it, sharpen over a bin, and empty the sharpener often so shavings do not jam the blade. Softer cores, like those in colouring pencils, need the lightest touch, and a long, fine point snaps more easily than a shorter one.