why is it important to use different weights of pencils when drawing?

Answer 1

To portray different degrees of shading, outlines, lighting, tones, etc. Differences make the drawing appear more varied, textured, and realistic.

Answer 2

The artist is working in a two dimensional space trying to create a third dimensional illusion. The varied grades of graphite are there to assist the artist to mould, and shade the illusion of three dimensions. This is not a linear perspective. You only need one grade to work in linear perspectives but when you get into non-linear perspectives as in landscaping, or portraiture, then these additional grades are helpful.
It is said that the artist can gain all the depth he wants with only a 2-H pencil. As difficult as that sounds it is true. Although I have not attempted that with graphite, I have completed a number of Silver point drawings and it is quite possible to crosshatch a deeper moulding that commonly believed. This takes a lot of experience and a lot more harder work but some purists will always go the extra mile to attain this effect with only one grade of stylus.
I have worked with pencils ranging from 6-H to 9-B in some pieces of work, and unless you are on the ball all through the piece you may as well just stick with the regular gradations of graphite.
It is important to use all gradations in your draughtsmanship, but with experience you will find that only a select number will satisfy your tastes. This will take time, and you will find a comfort zone in maybe four or five of the pencils. Maybe not. That is your hand working the pencils, your decision in your medium. I hope this helps.
Wish you well in future endeavours

Answer 3

I use only one grade of pencil at a time-usually an HB, simply because I find it a pain to have to switch between pencils.

With an HB you can get most grades of line from a dark grey to almost the white of the paper. For thick lines it's always possible to 'draw' the thickness in by drawing two lines and filling in the space.

The reason for doing this? Because if you have the same thickness of line throughout the drawing, it can look monotonous.

As a rule of thumb, larger and closer objects have thicker heaver outlines, whilst small details and distant objects have thinner and lighter outlines.

Answer 4

It isn't necessarily important to use different weights of pencils when drawing. It is important to use different thicknesses and tones of line or tone. You can do this without using different grades of pencil using pencil control techniques. However, picking up a different grade of pencil with easily provide you with a different tone with far less pressure control needed. Using adjacent grades of pencil (2h,hb, 2b) with give you smoth transitions between tones - very useful in drawing portraits.

Answer 5

REAL ARTIST can create 3d shades with the help of a simple coal they dont need even the pencil try imagination and commonsense most important tools for an artist