Grades 9H, 8H, 7H, 6H, 5H, 4H and 3H indicate hard graphite pencils, with 9H ranking as one of the hardest available. Such pencils work best for lighter markings on the drawing surface -- an initial outline of an object or drawing with precise measurements, as in drafting. These pencil grades also allow precise techniques such as pointillism, when an artist uses small dots to create shading, and crosshatching, when varied, overlapping strokes produce shaded areas.
The range of the medium-hard graphite pencils -- 2H, H, F, HB, B and 2B -- includes general-use grades suitable for drawing, shading and writing. The HB pencil, also known as the "No. 2" pencil, is perhaps the most commonly used in this range and ranks as a must-have for students taking standardized tests across the United States.
Professional artists frequently employ the 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B and 9B range -- the softest of the graphite pencils -- to create intense depth and richness. The softness of the lead also allows for easy blending and shading of the markings with a finger or paper stump.
Available in pencil form, charcoal provides a choice for shading that features a different texture than graphite and blends easily with the fingers. Its light texture also makes it easy to smear and ruin a project, however. Spraying a sealant over your drawing when you've finished will keep the charcoal from rubbing off. Hairspray makes for an inexpensive and readily available sealant, but application should take place in a well-ventilated area.