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Back to School: Staedtler Noris 120 Sketch Set Review.

I had an interesting journey with the Staedtler Noris 120 pencils. I decided that they are strange beasts, and nothing like the Staedtler Tradition 110 pencils I reviewed previously.  When I took them out of the packet they felt heavier than other pencils. This could be because, according to Staedtler, they are made from upcycled wood chips from  PEFC-certified, sustainably managed forests. They felt nice to hold so I was pretty hopeful that I would like them to draw with. I was even more hopeful when I realised that they literally glide across the paper. Initially, this felt uncontrollable, like gliding on ice.

The first drawing I started on Langton Prestige hot pressed watercolour paper I gave up on. I just couldn't get it to work. I just didn't have any control over what I was drawing due to a lack of resistance from the pencils. The second drawing, in a sketchbook with smooth heavyweight paper, I initially gave up on too, but later went back and finished it. 

I decided to try drawing on paper with more pronounced grain to give the Noris pencils a fair chance. I found they were really nice to draw with, they were still really smooth despite the grain in the paper.

I then decided to draw on Saunders Waterford hot pressed watercolour paper which has a smooth surface and fell in love with the Noris pencils. I think using new pencils is a bit like driving a new car. You get used to the way it handles and its idiosyncrasies. I think that is what happened here. I now don't want to try anything else (except I have a blog reviewing drawing materials) and I want to hoard them. They are also great for fine detail and sharpen well to a nice point. That was my only issue with the Staedtler Tradition 110 pencils. I always dreamt of pencils that glide across the page, and these do. The set also only cost me £3.

The only downside is that the Noris 120 pencils only come in five grades, 2B, B, HB, H and 2H. This works fine for me, but would probably be limiting for other artists. They also run light, even lighter then the Faber-Castell 9000. There is a comparison below between the Staedtler Tradition 110, the Faber-Castell 9000 and the Staedtler Noris 120.

I now need to try Staedtler's Mars Lumograph as these are their premium quality pencils aimed at artists. If their cheaper pencils are this good to draw with, I am pretty hopeful that the Mars Lumograph should be great.

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