About The Graphite Guide
A patient, beginner-first guide to drawing and sketching for anyone who has ever said "I can't draw." We start where it actually starts — learning to see, holding the pencil loosely, and making honest marks on a page — then build up the small skills that everything else rests on: confident lines and contours, measuring proportion by eye, turning flat shapes into solid form with value and shading, hatching and blending, simple one- and two-point perspective, and arranging a drawing so it feels balanced instead of crowded. From there we get to the fun part: faces and portraits, hands, figures, still life, animals, and landscapes, one approachable subject at a time. We also cover the gear without the gatekeeping — which pencil grades actually matter, the difference between graphite and charcoal, what paper and erasers are worth buying, and how to fill a sketchbook without fear of the blank page. No talent required and no expensive kit needed: just clear, encouraging steps from your first shaky lines to drawings you're glad you made.
The Graphite Guide is an independent resource focused on drawing and sketching for beginners. We publish practical, carefully researched guides for readers who want clear answers without the fluff — whether you are just getting started or looking to sharpen what you already know.
What we do
Every article is written and edited to be genuinely useful: accurate, easy to follow, and grounded in real-world experience. We cover topics across Getting Started, Materials & Tools, Drawing Basics, Shading & Value, Perspective & Composition, Subjects & Projects and update our guides as best practices evolve. We are not affiliated with any of the brands, products, or organizations we may reference; mentions are for the reader's benefit, not an endorsement.
Who writes The Graphite Guide
The Graphite Guide is written by Ezra Whitcombe. Ezra sketches daily in cheap notebooks and writes drawing tutorials that focus on practice habits over talent myths.
How we stay free
The Graphite Guide is supported by advertising. We display ads (including ads served by third parties such as Google AdSense) so that our content can remain free to read. Advertising never dictates our editorial recommendations. See our Privacy Policy for details on how ads and analytics work on this site.
Editorial standards & disclaimer
The Graphite Guide is an independent drawing and sketching resource. Our guides are researched and written in-house; we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Faber-Castell, Staedtler, Prismacolor, Derwent, Strathmore, Tombow, Blackwing, General Pencil, Caran d'Ache, Canson, Moleskine, or any other pencil, charcoal, paper, eraser, or art-supply brand we mention. Drawing results vary with the exact pencil grade, paper texture, and pressure in your own hand, so treat our settings and recommendations as starting points and adjust to what works for you. Information here is general educational guidance for hobbyists, not professional instruction.
Our content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always use your own judgment and consult a qualified professional where appropriate.
Get in touch
Questions, corrections, or feedback are always welcome. Reach us at runbookify@gmail.com or visit our contact page.