My illustration teacher always told us to use a knife and not a pencil sharpener, but I was stubborn. Years later, I now realize the superiority of this method. It took getting frustrated with leads breaking and shoddy pencil sharpeners for me to see the light, but here we are.
I've started using something I call a "sharp box". I cut the wood with a knife just like that, but I have a box with a few pieces of 220 sanding paper glued around the inside. This way I can quick re-sharpen the pencils or lead holders and there's zero mess, all the dust falls into the box. I also have a little Altoid tin where I did the same to the lid, and use this to collect graphite powder I might want to use in other pieces. Great way to keep things clean AND save something you might use as a drawing material later on.
انا أرى هذا النوع من المرسام مع كثير من الفنانين ورأيته اول مره على قناتك الرائعة ! وحقيقة كنت أتسائل كيف يفعل هذا والا قد عرفت !شكرا شكرا جزيلا لك معلمنا الفاضل🌿
I was taught to draw this way from a class of Glenn Vilppu's, he uses Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils to sketch with and I've found that I like them as well; they have a nice thick "lead" that hardly ever breaks. I'm stuck on them! XD
I have just discovered your vids. They are great, thank you. My mum was a draftswoman and this is how I was taught to sharpen pencils as a kid. I don't have the lead quite as long though but I might try it.
I use a small brass planer from Makers Cabinet called a Høvel, and sharpen it to a 10 degree angel, it get's to about 5-7 cm and then i use sandpaper to get a fine point.
Wow, your channel is really starting to blow up. When I first started following you I think you were under 100k...maybe even around 50k. Congrats! And thanks for all the help. Your channel was one of the first, maybe even the first, artist channel I started following, and you really helped me improve and gave me the courage to keep going. I don't think I'd have made nearly the progress I have in the last year or two if not for you. I owe you a great debt.
this is the only channel I'm willing to hit the like button when the video pops up with a reminder to like it. Thank you Alphonso for your thorough videos!!
My mom used to sharpen my pencils like this when I was a kid in school because we didn't have a pencil sharpener. She used a straight edged razor. Also, she would rest the pencil against the surface of the table (with a piece of newspaper under it so she didn't cut the wood) as she cut away from the body. Love to see people still using this.
Ever since I've started watching your videos I've gotten so much better at drawing. Mountains are my main thing for now until I get really good at it then I'll move on to something else. Thanks for the videos man.
sharpening my pencils like this is fun and enjoyable.. i just realize sharpening your pencil is one of the reasons why drawing is fun. i just saw your twitter account. it says you are a high school science teacher. no wonder you are good teaching. keep it up.
I almost asked about this in one of your other vids, but instead just Googled 'Alphonso Dunn pencil lead' and presto! Will give this a try. Next to google is the types of pencils you use. Never mind, I see that's the next video in queue from you! Teaching isn't a skill everyone has, but you do in spades. Kudos, and looking forward to receiving your book in a couple of days. I noticed that the plagiarised one from what's his name is no longer available on Amazon, which makes me happy.
Hey there Alphonso, some may think it is triviality.. but I remember when I have discovered a proper way to sharpen my pencil, simple stuff yet so helpful. Thanks for another great video :) ps. I believe that I have the same knife as you do, which makes me feel good about it :)
Huh, this is neat. I usually use a mix of regular pencils, mechanical ones, and/or col-erase pencils. BUT it's always good to know multiple ways of doing things. :3
Saint Mars That's $.10 to a couple of dollars for just a pencil, compared to the 2-20 bucks for just a holder that works. Plus the leads are usually next to the Silverpoint lead. That can be confusing, as they are WAY different than normal leads and honestly don't have much of a place outside architecture drawing. Furthermore, in a world where art can be different and unique and range in a ton of styles, saying he isn't professional kinda takes the wind out of your bag. Please don't come back. :v
Good grief, I was just asking if it's the same thing because I have both, but don't have the patience to whittle my pencil whenever it breaks.....and I'm well aware that my drawings suck, no need to pour salt on the wound. I'm a long time subscriber to this channel and I've seen Alphonso use lead holders in the past, so I felt it was a fair question....now I know better and will keep my mouth shut in the future, lest the wrath of internet trolls be bestowed upon me.
@@AngelicDirt could you tell me what do you mean by "the lead are usually next to the silverpoint lead" do you mean that it give the effect of silverpoint technique? if so it would be interesting.. thanks
I do the same with a 2mm lead holder I just extend the lead and go a few grades softer since Staetdler HB leads are pretty hard, i go with 2B-4B lead sticks which feels more like Japanese creamy pencils
Hi Alphonso Love your videos!! They are amazing!! Just wondering if I want to learn how to draw from scratch, just do want to learn art and how to draw as a starting point, was wondering if you would be able to have any tips or advice on where to start?
i am glad u continue making new videos . if u dont mind please make one video about portrait drawing from a real model not from picture . ill be happy if u will explain measuring and drawing tips from live to . i am not begginer but my portraits have something that makes it less realistic . thats my huge problem i can draw good looking portrait i can make it look like model but it still not good quality portrait. again i am happy to see u buddy
Like he said I also use a spare pencil for details but my sketch pencil is dull-ish while my detail pencil is sharp but I'm just gonna get a lead holder if I ever do move on to another pencil but rn I just use the standard with cap erasers
Thanks for the tips Alphonso,like always much appreciated.I'm waiting for your second bOOk,any hint of when it might hit the shelves? I see there are 7 thumbs down,I wonder what must be going thru these peoples minds....Hmmmm.
Thanks for the video. I would be interested in elaboration on what you mean by exploring a drawing. I know you have done videos on gesture drawing and looking for basic forms and the line of balance before, and these all cover that topic in part, but I wonder if you have more tips. I have found, esp. for architecture, the best way to start a drawing is to look for the longest straight lines. I wonder if this is part of what you mean by exploring. I think that exploration stage is the hardest part of learning to draw an unfamiliar subject.
It's pretty Good. I'm watching Ur video frequently...,,,, You Thought me Most of staff ... You r very Excellent. Thank you so much for your Video's. ....
actually what I meant was how to draw fast moving objects, where a lot of people do the smeary thing where they draw the lines in the direction of the movement etc
wow amesome drawing realy love it, realy enjoy black and white drawing they are the best ^^ I subscribed to you channel because i want to follow more of your interesting work the next time you upload keep up the good work of drawing and dont listen to people who are trying to change your drawing... why!... because every one does it diffrent bro! thats why a lot of people have diffrent and special talent of drawing Have a nice day! ^^ .....tks nice
Hi Alphonso. I have a video request or simply questions. I'm wondering how the spine works exactly relative to the rib cage and the pelvis. For example, I can stand or I can get something on the ground while keeping my legs straight. How does that work? What are the possible position / angle all that stuff can take exactly and where are the rotation axis if there are any. Lately I've also noticed that it seems that the spine change shape along the rib cage (it can get more or less curve?) but how is that possible without messing up the ribs? If that's true it kinda means the rib cage actually can change shape on the back right. Can you curve the spine at will in most "directions" / "shapes"? If I push or pull, whats happening? You got the idea ^^ If you know any online resources that explains that also, that ll be great. Thank you ^^
This is a bit unrelated (sorry!) but do you use those "full graphite pencils"? I'm not sure how to call them, but do you know what I mean? They are shaped like pencils but there is no wooden case, just graphite. Do you use them? If so, when? For what? Thanks for your videos! They're always very useful and well made!!!
Just curious, in the past 15 years of creating art and drawing how often would you say that you draw? And has it been consistently that many hours or days a week say, over the past 15 years?
You can also use a mechanical pencil this way . If you don’t like to sharpen . You can’t get the exact same results , but you still get the general idea. Thanks Alphonso for the help!😀 Also can you check out my RUclips channel and tell me If there’s anything that I’m doing “wrong” ?😀
Lead holder. + No need to have a knife and remove the wood when you break the lead + Lead holder has always the same length + Can retract lead to protecting it from snapping when stored/travelling + Texture/shape of a pen holder of you choosing is way more comfortable than thin round/hex pencils
what's a different between pen and ink sketching and cross hatching techniques? If I draw textures I m not able to draw shadow n light and vice versa what should I do?
I have never sharpened my pencils this way. I have wanted to try it though. I can see the benefits of this over a mechanical pencil. Now off to sharpen some pencils.
Mechanical pencils unfortunately cannot be reliably sharpened to a fine point. While the lead itself is able to feed through and keep a constant flow, the lead is too thin and too brittle for constant use and practice, especially as you also lose variability and control, which is part of the skillset to practice.
if you use the mechanical pencil it naturally sharpens itself when you write. You just sharper the tip on sandpaper the same way the guy did in the video or use it a few times it will develop a point. My mother who was a great artist she had more control using a mechanical pencil because you can have the lines even thinner and the shading even softer. It improves your drawing not the other way around I couldn't draw anything good but when I used a mechanical pencil it made my drawings look decent because the lines weren't some thick huge mess
Mechanical pencils do have their advantages, but sharpening your pencil this way allows you more versatility than mechanical pencils do. And I use both. I will do a comparison video
![Quando Rondo - Life Goes On [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/eIf3fhMXAow/mqdefault.jpg)
I learn so much from you. You’re legit the art teacher I wish I had.
: )
He articulates his points quite well
@@whitetrashtrucker5785 Also very good at outlining the essentials.
EXCELLENT tutorial. I am going to get an X-Acto knife and start doing this. Thanks. Alphonso!
My illustration teacher always told us to use a knife and not a pencil sharpener, but I was stubborn. Years later, I now realize the superiority of this method. It took getting frustrated with leads breaking and shoddy pencil sharpeners for me to see the light, but here we are.
I've started using something I call a "sharp box". I cut the wood with a knife just like that, but I have a box with a few pieces of 220 sanding paper glued around the inside. This way I can quick re-sharpen the pencils or lead holders and there's zero mess, all the dust falls into the box. I also have a little Altoid tin where I did the same to the lid, and use this to collect graphite powder I might want to use in other pieces. Great way to keep things clean AND save something you might use as a drawing material later on.
Brilliant idea!
انا أرى هذا النوع من المرسام مع كثير من الفنانين ورأيته اول مره على قناتك الرائعة !
وحقيقة كنت أتسائل كيف يفعل هذا والا قد عرفت !شكرا شكرا جزيلا لك معلمنا الفاضل🌿
I was taught to draw this way from a class of Glenn Vilppu's, he uses Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils to sketch with and I've found that I like them as well; they have a nice thick "lead" that hardly ever breaks. I'm stuck on them! XD
Goos tip! 🙂
Sota Possu I've been doing it for years and I never went back. 👌
@@alphonsodunn whats a goose tip???
@@JSheetzArtwork it's a typo. Alphonso probably meant "good tip"
I have just discovered your vids. They are great, thank you. My mum was a draftswoman and this is how I was taught to sharpen pencils as a kid. I don't have the lead quite as long though but I might try it.
Lol thats cool
I use a small brass planer from Makers Cabinet called a Høvel, and sharpen it to a 10 degree angel, it get's to about 5-7 cm and then i use sandpaper to get a fine point.
O.K LOVE YOUR WORK, I'm a new subscriber!!
Best advice so far is take your time! As well as light touch. Thank you, I’ve just found your channel and been brushing up.
Wow, your channel is really starting to blow up. When I first started following you I think you were under 100k...maybe even around 50k. Congrats! And thanks for all the help. Your channel was one of the first, maybe even the first, artist channel I started following, and you really helped me improve and gave me the courage to keep going. I don't think I'd have made nearly the progress I have in the last year or two if not for you. I owe you a great debt.
this is the only channel I'm willing to hit the like button when the video pops up with a reminder to like it. Thank you Alphonso for your thorough videos!!
🙂🙏🙏🙏
Ephipany ❤️!!!! Thank you!
My mom used to sharpen my pencils like this when I was a kid in school because we didn't have a pencil sharpener. She used a straight edged razor. Also, she would rest the pencil against the surface of the table (with a piece of newspaper under it so she didn't cut the wood) as she cut away from the body. Love to see people still using this.
Yup. Tried and true
Ever since I've started watching your videos I've gotten so much better at drawing. Mountains are my main thing for now until I get really good at it then I'll move on to something else. Thanks for the videos man.
sharpening my pencils like this is fun and enjoyable.. i just realize sharpening your pencil is one of the reasons why drawing is fun.
i just saw your twitter account. it says you are a high school science teacher. no wonder you are good teaching. keep it up.
oh, i wished I can meet you in person.
cool tq for the tips
Just got your book excited to start learning.
Nice informative video. Really we can reduce lot wastage of pencil lead. It's very irritating with sharpeners.
I almost asked about this in one of your other vids, but instead just Googled 'Alphonso Dunn pencil lead' and presto! Will give this a try. Next to google is the types of pencils you use. Never mind, I see that's the next video in queue from you! Teaching isn't a skill everyone has, but you do in spades. Kudos, and looking forward to receiving your book in a couple of days. I noticed that the plagiarised one from what's his name is no longer available on Amazon, which makes me happy.
Your videos are very helpful. Thank u
Thanks
Hey there Alphonso,
some may think it is triviality.. but I remember when I have discovered a proper way to sharpen my pencil, simple stuff yet so helpful.
Thanks for another great video :)
ps. I believe that I have the same knife as you do, which makes me feel good about it :)
Lol thanks
cool & interesting! your videos are always so informative while being succinct and to the point :)
Just found your channel and i must everything you cover is what i dreamed of having so thank you.
I love watching your videos! You are an amazing teacher!
Thanks much
Love your work you are a big inspiration
Thanks Alphonso looking forward to buying your next book 📖.
🙂 thanks so much
That's amazing! You are a genius!
Huh, this is neat. I usually use a mix of regular pencils, mechanical ones, and/or col-erase pencils. BUT it's always good to know multiple ways of doing things. :3
Exactly. The more options you have the better. Its better to know something and not need it than to need it and not know it
Thank you Alphonso, its very helpful.
Love your videos, Alphonso! So informative and helpful. Thanks!
Love this technique since i saw you using it but its handy to know to not attempt this with anything softer than a 2B
You can sharpen a regular pencil like this, and use the sharpener for lead holder type mechanical pencils to sharpen without the mess of sandpaper.
Absolutely love your videos man, keep up the good
I’m gong to do this now. Thank you
Really, got valuable idea from you man. Thanks a lot ❤️
🙂🙏
Doesn't a lead holder do the exact same thing?
Yup, but how much is a lead holder+lead compared to a no. 2 pencil
Saint Mars That's $.10 to a couple of dollars for just a pencil, compared to the 2-20 bucks for just a holder that works. Plus the leads are usually next to the Silverpoint lead. That can be confusing, as they are WAY different than normal leads and honestly don't have much of a place outside architecture drawing.
Furthermore, in a world where art can be different and unique and range in a ton of styles, saying he isn't professional kinda takes the wind out of your bag. Please don't come back. :v
Good grief, I was just asking if it's the same thing because I have both, but don't have the patience to whittle my pencil whenever it breaks.....and I'm well aware that my drawings suck, no need to pour salt on the wound. I'm a long time subscriber to this channel and I've seen Alphonso use lead holders in the past, so I felt it was a fair question....now I know better and will keep my mouth shut in the future, lest the wrath of internet trolls be bestowed upon me.
Saint Mars yikes lmao the claws come out!
@@AngelicDirt could you tell me what do you mean by "the lead are usually next to the silverpoint lead" do you mean that it give the effect of silverpoint technique? if so it would be interesting.. thanks
I do the same with a 2mm lead holder I just extend the lead and go a few grades softer since Staetdler HB leads are pretty hard, i go with 2B-4B lead sticks which feels more like Japanese creamy pencils
Nice
Hi Alphonso Love your videos!! They are amazing!! Just wondering if I want to learn how to draw from scratch, just do want to learn art and how to draw as a starting point, was wondering if you would be able to have any tips or advice on where to start?
i tried this and like, my mind was blown by how many different ways i just unlocked to using my pencil ! :O
i am glad u continue making new videos . if u dont mind please make one video about portrait drawing from a real model not from picture . ill be happy if u will explain measuring and drawing tips from live to . i am not begginer but my portraits have something that makes it less realistic . thats my huge problem i can draw good looking portrait i can make it look like model but it still not good quality portrait. again i am happy to see u buddy
Exelente canal y exelentes tutos, muchas felicidades y que sigan los éxitos, saludos
Gracias
I finally had to resort to sand paper, though I'm not as fond of the #2 pencil myself. I seem to prefer using the .5mm mechanical pencils.
Smart! 😉
; )
Nice to know . wonderful.
i always want to sharpen my pencil like that but it does trigger my anxiety 😂 gonna try it someday. Thanks!
Lol I understand
Like he said I also use a spare pencil for details but my sketch pencil is dull-ish while my detail pencil is sharp but I'm just gonna get a lead holder if I ever do move on to another pencil but rn I just use the standard with cap erasers
Thanks for the tips Alphonso,like always much appreciated.I'm waiting for your second bOOk,any hint of when it might hit the shelves? I see there are 7 thumbs down,I wonder what must be going thru these peoples minds....Hmmmm.
GEEZ...love this method.. never really drew with pencils because I had to keep sharpening them.. thanks Alphonso for this method! Great work!
Thanks for the video. I would be interested in elaboration on what you mean by exploring a drawing. I know you have done videos on gesture drawing and looking for basic forms and the line of balance before, and these all cover that topic in part, but I wonder if you have more tips. I have found, esp. for architecture, the best way to start a drawing is to look for the longest straight lines. I wonder if this is part of what you mean by exploring. I think that exploration stage is the hardest part of learning to draw an unfamiliar subject.
Hi, if possible please do segment on sea creatures and coral reefs using pen and ink techniques.
Thanks.
It's pretty Good.
I'm watching Ur video frequently...,,,, You Thought me Most of staff ... You r very Excellent. Thank you so much for your Video's. ....
good tip I will try
I never used a sandpaper for this but I will now, thanks!
What grit sandpaper are you using? 250? Been loving learning from your videos, thanks!
Nice artwork
OK you convinced me :)
thanks man!! A video on how to make a drawing feel 'dynamic' would really be cool ;)
: )
Look through his past videos. Just about all his tutorials will make your drawings look more dynamic.
actually what I meant was how to draw fast moving objects, where a lot of people do the smeary thing where they draw the lines in the direction of the movement etc
I struggle to be able to draw satisfactory pictures. The videos are very helpful thanks. Are there any recommendations to improve perspective.
Hello Alphonso. Would you recommend beginners to use pencils sharpened this way? Thanks.
wow amesome drawing realy love it, realy enjoy black and white drawing they are the best ^^
I subscribed to you channel because i want to follow more of your interesting work the next time you upload
keep up the good work of drawing and dont listen to people who are trying to change your drawing... why!... because every one does it diffrent bro! thats why a lot of people have diffrent and special talent of drawing
Have a nice day! ^^
.....tks nice
I learned it - to sharpen this way- from my first art teacher, I think this is the right way, I never used a mechanic sharpen tool...
Yup, Can be a waste of a pencil
Nice Vid man! What do you think about mechanical pencils?
Theyre fine, I use them too
this video is amazing. how can i secure the pencil for when i'm on the go?
Hi Alphonso. I have a video request or simply questions. I'm wondering how the spine works exactly relative to the rib cage and the pelvis. For example, I can stand or I can get something on the ground while keeping my legs straight. How does that work? What are the possible position / angle all that stuff can take exactly and where are the rotation axis if there are any. Lately I've also noticed that it seems that the spine change shape along the rib cage (it can get more or less curve?) but how is that possible without messing up the ribs? If that's true it kinda means the rib cage actually can change shape on the back right. Can you curve the spine at will in most "directions" / "shapes"? If I push or pull, whats happening? You got the idea ^^ If you know any online resources that explains that also, that ll be great. Thank you ^^
"Remember to thumbs up" haha, someone's becoming hip.
Love your videos man!
Haha trying to keep up
This is a bit unrelated (sorry!) but do you use those "full graphite pencils"? I'm not sure how to call them, but do you know what I mean? They are shaped like pencils but there is no wooden case, just graphite. Do you use them? If so, when? For what?
Thanks for your videos! They're always very useful and well made!!!
Just curious, in the past 15 years of creating art and drawing how often would you say that you draw? And has it been consistently that many hours or days a week say, over the past 15 years?
I tried the same method on a charcoal pencil but the charcoal always snaps. Do you have any tips on how to sharpen those? Thanks.
You can do the same just take more care when shaving the casing
general's charcoal pencils don't snap easily! i sharpen my pencils like this too :)
Thanks for the reply! I'll try to be more gentle with them.
Yehey new vid
: )
Sir may I ask, 2 inches, the length of the lead which is exposed from the casing ? 😁📒✏️🎲♥️🎱☕🍩📚
Imma break it in 3.0 secs 😂😂 but thank you. Ill buy your book as soon as i get a chance and money ❤
Army ❤
You can also use a mechanical pencil this way . If you don’t like to sharpen . You can’t get the exact same results , but you still get the general idea.
Thanks Alphonso for the help!😀
Also can you check out my RUclips channel and tell me If there’s anything that I’m doing “wrong” ?😀
thanks for the tip. Btw, is the camera attached to your head?
Lol no
Any news on your upcoming workbook?
Lead holder.
+ No need to have a knife and remove the wood when you break the lead
+ Lead holder has always the same length
+ Can retract lead to protecting it from snapping when stored/travelling
+ Texture/shape of a pen holder of you choosing is way more comfortable than thin round/hex pencils
Basileus s - Not alway avaliable and sometime too expensive (at least in my country).
You shoud buy a pencil like ZHComicart
what's a different between pen and ink sketching and cross hatching techniques?
If I draw textures I m not able to draw shadow n light and vice versa what should I do?
Awesome video sir...
But it takes a lot of time to sharpen like that that's why I do sharp by sharpener..
I understand. The patience is worth it though for the loonnnnnnggggg run
Yeah another reason is once my parents scolded me because they thought I'm wasting pencil...😂
Seems better than a mechanical pencil
i use a mechanical pencil but it is kinda hard to shade
Flex Cut carving knives work way better, worth it.
What kind of grit so you use for the sandpaper?
120
I have never sharpened my pencils this way. I have wanted to try it though. I can see the benefits of this over a mechanical pencil. Now off to sharpen some pencils.
Legit.
What kind of pencil you use? Like is it 2h, 2b? , hb etc.
Regular HB
Alphonso Dunn thanks sensei
Or you can just save time and get a mechanical pencil / pacer pencil you can't press hard with those
Mechanical pencils unfortunately cannot be reliably sharpened to a fine point. While the lead itself is able to feed through and keep a constant flow, the lead is too thin and too brittle for constant use and practice, especially as you also lose variability and control, which is part of the skillset to practice.
if you use the mechanical pencil it naturally sharpens itself when you write. You just sharper the tip on sandpaper the same way the guy did in the video or use it a few times it will develop a point. My mother who was a great artist she had more control using a mechanical pencil because you can have the lines even thinner and the shading even softer. It improves your drawing not the other way around I couldn't draw anything good but when I used a mechanical pencil it made my drawings look decent because the lines weren't some thick huge mess
Mechanical pencils do have their advantages, but sharpening your pencil this way allows you more versatility than mechanical pencils do. And I use both. I will do a comparison video
I use mechanical pencil, my shading comes out much better than using HB level pencils.
I hope that i can meet with you then i'll ask and learn a lot, n of course to see you draw in front of me :) ,love from Indonesia
I'm willing to trying something to get me drawing.
get going
@@alphonsodunn
Art is a hobby I enjoy but not at the level I'm at I'm pushing through this basic first
Just use a potato peeler. It works great for me.
Tip #5 is all the reason I need to switch to this method, LOL. I hate having to stop and sharpen so often. Annoying and interrupts the flow.
But..Why not 2mm mechanical pencil? Thanks for your time ;-)
First
Lol