Marie's 12 Pack Charcoal Pencils Review: Pitt Graphite Matt 12B, 14B & 16B for Artists
Jun 01, 2026
For artists who work in charcoal and graphite, the quality of your pencils can make or break your work. The Marie's 12 Pack Charcoal Pencils — featuring Pitt Graphite Matt grades in 12B, 14B, and 16B — are designed for artists who demand the deepest, richest blacks and the smoothest blending performance. In this detailed review, we'll explore what makes these pencils a standout choice for UK artists working in charcoal and dark graphite.
Understanding Charcoal Pencil Grades
Before diving into the specifics of the Marie's pencils, it's worth understanding what the B grades mean in the context of charcoal and graphite pencils. The B scale measures softness — the higher the number, the softer the lead and the darker the mark it produces:
- 12B: Extremely soft, producing very dark, rich marks that blend easily. Ideal for deep shadows and bold, expressive strokes.
- 14B: Even softer than 12B, delivering intense blacks and exceptional blending capability. Perfect for the darkest areas of a drawing.
- 16B: One of the softest graphite grades available, producing the deepest, most velvety blacks. Used for maximum tonal depth and dramatic contrast.
Having all three grades in a single pack gives you a comprehensive range of dark tones to work with, allowing you to create nuanced, multi-layered drawings with exceptional depth.
Specifications
- Pack size: 12 pencils
- Grades: 12B, 14B, and 16B
- Type: Pitt Graphite Matt
- Suitable for: Drawing, sketching, shading, portraiture, life drawing
- Brand: Marie's
The Pitt Graphite Matt Formula
The "Pitt Graphite Matt" designation refers to the specific formulation of the graphite core. Unlike standard graphite pencils, which can produce a slightly shiny finish at very dark grades, the Pitt Graphite Matt formula is designed to deliver a consistently matte finish even at the darkest grades. This is particularly important for artists who want to avoid unwanted reflections in their finished work, especially when photographing or scanning drawings.
The matte finish also makes these pencils more compatible with fixatives and other media, as the matte surface provides better adhesion for subsequent layers of media.
Drawing Performance
The Marie's charcoal pencils deliver an exceptional drawing experience. The soft graphite cores glide smoothly across the paper, depositing rich, dark pigment with minimal pressure. This makes them ideal for expressive, gestural drawing as well as careful, detailed work.
The blending performance is outstanding — the soft graphite responds beautifully to blending stumps, tortillons, and fingers, allowing you to create smooth gradients and subtle tonal transitions. The 16B in particular produces a velvety, almost charcoal-like quality that is perfect for dramatic, high-contrast drawings.
The pencils sharpen well, producing a fine point that holds its shape reasonably well given the softness of the graphite. For very fine detail work, a sharp point can be maintained with regular sharpening.
Best Applications
- Portraiture: The deep, rich blacks are perfect for capturing the depth and drama of facial features, particularly eyes and hair.
- Life drawing: The soft graphite allows for quick, expressive mark-making that captures the energy and movement of the human figure.
- Landscape drawing: Create dramatic skies, deep shadows, and rich textures in landscape compositions.
- Still life: The range of dark grades allows you to create convincing tonal depth in still life drawings.
- Abstract and expressive work: The soft, responsive graphite is ideal for gestural, expressive drawing styles.
Paper Recommendations
To get the best results from these soft graphite pencils, paper choice is important:
- Cartridge paper (120gsm+): A good all-round choice that handles the soft graphite well without tearing.
- Smooth Bristol board: Ideal for detailed work where a fine point is needed.
- Textured drawing paper: Creates interesting surface effects with the soft graphite, adding texture and depth to your work.
- Toned paper: Working on grey or brown toned paper allows you to use the dark graphite for shadows while adding white highlights for a dramatic effect.
Tips for Working with Very Soft Graphite
- Use a light touch: Very soft graphite responds to minimal pressure. Start light and build up tone gradually.
- Sharpen frequently: Soft graphite wears down quickly. Keep a sharpener to hand and sharpen regularly to maintain control.
- Fix your work: Apply a fixative spray when you're happy with your drawing to prevent smearing and protect the surface.
- Work from light to dark: Build up your tones gradually, starting with the lightest areas and working towards the darkest.
- Use a blending stump: A blending stump or tortillon allows you to blend the soft graphite smoothly without disturbing the surface.
Shop at TTPEN UK
At TTPEN UK, we stock a wide range of premium art supplies, including the Marie's charcoal pencil range and many other professional-grade drawing materials. We're passionate about supporting UK artists with access to the best tools for their practice.
Browse our full range of art pencils and drawing supplies at TTPEN UK for fast UK delivery and competitive pricing.
Conclusion
The Marie's 12 Pack Charcoal Pencils in Pitt Graphite Matt 12B, 14B, and 16B are an excellent choice for artists who work in dark graphite and charcoal. The three-grade range, matte finish formula, and smooth blending performance make them a versatile and high-quality tool for portraiture, life drawing, and expressive artwork.
Whether you're a student artist or an experienced professional, these pencils deserve a place in your drawing kit.
Shop Marie's Charcoal Pencils at TTPEN UK and discover the depth and richness of professional-grade dark graphite.
