Derwent Graphic Pencils: 24 Grades, Cores and Tins
Derwent Graphic is a British wood-cased graphite drawing pencil sold in 24 grades, from 13B to 9H. The popular Medium tin (34214) holds 12 pencils from 6B to 4H. Hard grades have a 2.2 mm core and soft grades a 3.5 mm core, and Derwent has made pencils in England's Lake District since 1916.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- Derwent Graphic Medium Pencils 12 Tin, 6B–4H (34214)
- Brand
- Derwent
- Brand origin
- United Kingdom
- Made in
- United Kingdom*
- Material
- Graphite cores in hexagonal wood barrels; metal tin (Derwent, Amazon)
- Price range
- $under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count)
- Rate it
Notes on these facts
- Made by ACCO UK Ltd.. Made in United Kingdom: Derwent says it has made pencils in the Lake District, UK, since 1916, and a 2010 PencilTalk review shows a Graphic HB stamped England. Derwent's Graphic page doesn't state a country for current pencils, so check the barrel. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Derwent sells Graphic pencils in 24 grades, from 13B (softest) to 9H (hardest).
- The Medium tin (34214) holds 12 grades: 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H, 3H and 4H.
- Derwent lists cores of 2.2–3.5 mm: 2.2 mm in the H grades and 3.5 mm in the B grades, per its Amazon listing.
- Art Supplies UK says every Graphic grade rates 8 on the Blue Wool lightfastness scale.
- Derwent's UK list price for the Medium 12 tin was £17.99 (about US$24) on October 23, 2026.
What are Derwent Graphic pencils?
They are Derwent’s wood-cased graphite pencils for drawing, sold in 24 grades from a very soft 13B to a very hard 9H. Derwent says the graphite gives a smooth, graduated line that erases easily and a strong core that sharpens well and holds a point.
The barrel is hexagonal, which Derwent says stops rolling and gives a comfortable grip. Derwent pitches the range at everything from expressive sketches and portraits to technical drawing.
What’s in the Medium 12 tin (34214)?
Twelve pencils, one each of the middle grades from 6B to 4H, in a metal tin. It covers light construction lines through to dark shading.
| Spec | Derwent Graphic Medium 12 tin |
|---|---|
| Model | 34214 |
| Grades | 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H, 3H, 4H |
| Core | 2.2–3.5 mm (Derwent) |
| Barrel | Hexagonal |
| Lightfastness | Blue Wool 8 (Art Supplies UK) |
| Tin | 198 × 118 × 14 mm (7.8 × 4.65 × 0.55 in), per Amazon |
| UK list price | £17.99 (about US$24) |
For darker work, the Soft tin holds 12 grades from 9B to H instead.
How thick is the Derwent Graphic core?
2.2 mm in the hard H grades and 3.5 mm in the soft B grades, per Derwent’s Amazon listing and Cult Pens. A thicker core in soft grades lays down more graphite per stroke and is less likely to snap.
Which grades should you use?
Use the H grades for light construction lines and technical work, HB to 2B for general drawing, and the soft B grades for dark tone. The higher the number before B, the softer and darker the line; the higher the number before H, the harder and paler.
In the Medium tin, 4H to H handle guidelines that erase cleanly, HB and F suit writing and detail, and 2B to 6B build shading. If you mostly draw dark, tonal work, the Soft tin’s 9B to H is a better fit.
Art Supplies UK notes that grades 9B to 2B contain animal fat in the wax blend, while B, HB, F and H to 9H are vegan friendly. Every grade rates 8, the top of the Blue Wool lightfastness scale, so drawings won’t fade.
How do Derwent Graphic pencils compare?
Graphic has the widest grade range and the thickest listed soft core of these four. Grade ranges come from each guide.
| Derwent Graphic | Staedtler Mars Lumograph | Faber-Castell Castell 9000 | Tombow MONO 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades | 24 (13B–9H) | 24 (12B–10H) | 16 (8B–6H) | 17 (6B–9H) |
| Soft core | 3.5 mm | About 4.5 mm in 12B | Not listed | Not listed |
| Brand from | United Kingdom | Germany | Germany | Japan |
| Price band | $ | $ | $ | $ |
PencilTalk’s 2010 review compared the HB with the Castell 9000, “possibly better in some ways, and worse in others,” but found its lacquer “bargain” rather than premium. Our best drawing pencils roundup picks Graphic for dark shading.
Which Derwent Graphic set should you buy?
Buy the Medium tin for general drawing, the Soft tin for dark tonal work, or single pencils if you only need a few grades. Derwent also sells a 24-pencil tin with every grade (34202) and lets you build your own tin.
To lift and blend soft graphite, add a kneaded eraser such as the Faber-Castell Art Eraser. For charcoal on the same drawing, see General’s Charcoal Drawing Kit.
How much do Derwent Graphic pencils cost?
Divided by 12, a tin works out well under $5 a pencil, our $ band. Derwent’s UK list price for the Medium tin was £17.99 (about US$24) on October 23, 2026.
On October 23, 2026, Amazon’s Medium tin listing showed 4.7 stars from 3,224 ratings and a 245th-place rank in Drawing Pencils.
Where are Derwent Graphic pencils made?
In the United Kingdom: Derwent says it has made pencils in England’s Lake District since 1916, and PencilTalk’s 2010 review shows a Graphic stamped England. The brand dates its heritage to 1832 in Keswick; its website is run by ACCO UK Ltd.
Frequently asked questions
What grades come in the Derwent Graphic Medium tin?
Twelve: 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H, 3H and 4H. The Soft tin covers 9B to H instead.
Are Derwent Graphic pencils good for shading?
Yes. The soft B grades have a thick 3.5 mm core for broad, dark tone, and the range goes down to 13B for very dark shading.
Are Derwent Graphic pencils vegan?
Only some grades. Art Supplies UK says B, HB, F and H to 9H are vegan friendly, while 9B to 2B contain animal fat in the wax blend.
Can you buy single Derwent Graphic pencils?
Yes. Derwent sells every grade singly and lets you build your own tin; art shops also sell open stock.
Do Derwent Graphic pencils have erasers?
No. Like most drawing pencils they have a plain end, so use a separate eraser, such as a kneaded eraser for lifting graphite.
How long is a Derwent Graphic pencil?
About 175 mm (6.9 in), a standard pencil length, according to a PencilTalk review; Derwent doesn't list the length on the pages we read.
Who owns Derwent?
ACCO. Derwent's website is run by ACCO UK Ltd., and PencilTalk names the maker as the Cumberland Pencil Company, part of ACCO UK Ltd.
Sources
- Derwent (UK): Derwent Graphic Medium Pencils 12 Tin, 34214 (6B–4H; hexagonal barrels, 2.2–3.5 mm cores; £17.99, read October 23, 2026)
- Derwent (UK): Graphic pencils range (24 grades, 13B to 9H)
- Derwent (US): Derwent Graphic Pencils, Metal Tin, 24 Count, 34202 (pencils made in the Lake District since 1916; heritage from 1832)
- Art Supplies UK: Derwent Graphic Pencils Tins of 12 (Soft 9B–H and Medium 6B–4H; Blue Wool 8; vegan grades)
- Cult Pens: Derwent Graphic Graphite Pencil (2.2 mm cores in hard grades, 3.5 mm in soft)
- PencilTalk: Pencil review: Derwent Graphic (2010; about 175 mm long, cedar, stamped England; Derwent founded in Keswick in 1832; Cumberland Pencil Company, part of ACCO UK)
- Amazon US: Derwent Graphic Drawing Pencils, Medium, Metal Tin, 12 Count (34214; core sizes, tin 7.8 × 4.65 × 0.55 in; ratings and rank read October 23, 2026)