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Staedtler Tradition 110 Pencils Review.

Staedtler Tradition Drawing Pencils.

 Staedtler's Mars Lumograph are their premium quality pencils aimed at artists, but I was curious to see what the Staedtler Tradition 110 pencils were like to draw with. I came across a pack of six pencils for drawing for £3.99 and thought I would give them a try. 

The box was supposed to contain a 6B, 4B, 2B, B, HB and 2H, but the box I bought contained two 2H's and no 2B which was a bit odd. Ferreting around for my Faber-Castell 9000's to do a comparison with, I found another packet of these pencils and a 2B. How long I have had those I don't know.

Staedtler Tradition Drawing Pencils.

When I think of pencils I always think of this design with the red and black stripes or the Staedtler Noris pencils with the yellow and black stripes. I think they remind me of school, that may be why I have never tried them.

I started off using the B grade pencil and was quite impressed. It was very smooth to draw with. I then tried one of the 2H pencils and to start with it was a little bit scratchy. With continued use I didn't have any more issues. I then tried the 4B and found that nice and smooth and the result was not too grainy. I am not a fan of grain in my drawings, unless I am drawing something like trees where the grain helps to suggest texture.

The more I have used them, the more I have enjoyed drawing with them. They sharpen pretty well but I had a few issues getting a perfect point. Doing a comparison between the Staedtler Tradition and the Faber-Castell 9000's, I realised that their tonal range is pretty similar; perhaps that is why I like them. Below is a comparison . 

I think for a student or anyone on a budget these are great pencils to draw with. According to Staedtler, they have super bonded lead and a special break resistant lead formation. They are made from wood from FSC-certified sustainably managed forests and come in 12 degrees from 6B to 4H. I also bought a sketch set of Staedtler Noris pencils for £3. I have read that they are a bit smoother to draw with than the Tradition. I will use them, then do a comparison.

Below are three drawings using the Staedtler Tradition 110 pencils. The first is on smooth heavy weight paper and the second two are on Langton Prestige Hot Pressed watercolour paper.









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