Derwent Sketching Collection, Metal Tin, 24 Count (34306)

Derwent is well-known for producing quality art materials. Of late, they are also increasingly recognized for technological innovation, especially in the use of water-soluble pencils of various sorts. This collection offers a taste of both the quality and the technology. It also offers a tremendously versatile set of materials at a very reasonable price ($25 in my case). You get the usual collection of graphite, charcoal pencils, and charcoal sticks common to any sketching collection. The quality of the materials is very good--the graphite pencils are nicely distinct in tone as are the charcoal. The tone of the sticks is perfectly matched with the pencils. As an added bonus, the charcoal pencils are quite robust. I sharpened them with a Faber hand sharpener with no breakage. Where the collection really shines is with the extras. You get a nice selection of vanilla water soluble graphite, but you also get several Graphitint pencils, pigmented water soluble graphite. These behave like graphite pencils when used dry, the pigment providing only muted colors. But add water and it transforms into vibrant color, though not as vibrant as watercolor pencil. Several colored drawing pencils are included. These are quite opaque, much like chalk pastels, but behave in a much more controlled fashion, like colored pencils. They also blend much better than chalk pastel. One nifty thing about these is that their opacity makes them suited for dark colored supports. The colors make them well-suited for things like animal fur or sepia portraiture. Rounding out the collection are some tinted charcoal pencils, including white---very useful for popping white highlights. With just this collection, you're well-equipped to tackle most any charcoal or graphite project you wish, as well as adding a range of subtle colors to the palette. The price makes this a tremendous value, especially if you want to explore a range of media.

Great pencil set for the price. This very set is going for $32 on ebay. The charcoal is 100 times superior to Willow (do not ever buy Willow sticks, it is a smudge fest. Pros *water soluble. Buy Bristol ;) * The Graphitone rocks at shading * Brown and reddish highlights. Cons *Too many extras (most of us have pencil sharpeners) *Not as many graphing pencils as the 12 piece sets. I got a 12 piece set for $4 off Amazon. There are cheaper ones on ebay. I would buy this set again, especially for the graphite, which I'm hoping Derwent sells separately. This is up there with my ebony pencils, and mechanical pencils (you can't beat a fine line). This is a good product at a reasonable price.

Good set.

Excellent product

Amazing set for the price! I exclusively use Derwent pencils after trying almost every other brand out there and these truly are the best. Great for blending, shading, sketching, anything you can possibly think of doing with graphite, these truly are beyond the rest. This sketching tin is incredible, great way to replenish your current stock or to start fresh as a graphite artist. I love the charcoal blocks, the graphite blocks don't transfer well to certain papers and get smudged easily, but that is expected with some of the smoother papers. I would recommend these to anyone interested in photorealism drawing because these babies will blend like nobody's business.

This tin literally wobbles and is twistable. It came with cracked compressed charcoal. Never thought Id see such degradation in quality from Derwent. I wouldnt take this with me to sketch anywhere, the pencils would not be protected. This has the cheapest, thinnest metal tin I've ever experienced when purchasing pencil sets. It also doesnt stay shut. Not worth it at all, does NOT compare to older metal pencil tins that actually had some weight and bulk to them.

when I moved cross country -- I managed to not find my drawing pencils -- or sketchbook or coffee maker or blow dryer.... for a couple of months. And while I can towel dry my hair, and buy coffee at any number of conveniently located retail establishments... turns out you just can't draw without pencils and paper! So I got this excellent tin of charcoal, pastel pencils, drawing pencils, water-soluble graphite... erasers, sharpeners, stumps... all the basics. Nothing wildly esoteric as art supplies go -- but everything you have to have to keep your drawing hand and mind loosened up. Of course, the tin itself is kind of cumbersome and came bent and couldn't be closed completely, so the pencils went into a rubber-band wrapped napkin. But -- the art supplies themselves are excellent quality --- Derwent doesn't skimp on their supplies. A great basic drawing set.

This is great but the knead eraser is very sticky and leaves gum behind on your paper.

38 pezzi di buona qualità ad un ottimo prezzo, ottimo per sperimentare le varie tecniche del disegno, non è un kit scolastico ma per artisti che amano cimentarsi e realizzare un'opera, quindi un kit per tutti gli appassionati del disegno. La scatola in latta è arrivata integra e ben imballata, nessun pezzo rotto, confezione quindi sigillata. La consiglio.

Set graphite reçus le contenus très endommagé batonet cassé, très déçu.

Having visited the Derwent pencil factory in Cumbria and seen first hand the craftsmanship and care that goes into making these pencils, picking up a set to reignite my passion for drawing and sketching felt like a natural choice. The quality is immediately apparent — smooth, consistent, and exactly what you'd expect from one of the most respected names in the world of pencils. Whether you're sketching loosely or working on something more detailed and precise, these pencils respond beautifully and reliably throughout. At £18 for a set of 24 pencils the value is outstanding — giving you a comprehensive range to work with across different grades without breaking the bank. For anyone looking to get back into drawing or picking up a pencil for the first time, this set provides everything you need to get started with confidence. A wonderful and affordable set from a brand with a genuine craft heritage behind every pencil.

Derwent is a reliable source of excellent art medium. This set is fantastic! Everything, and then some. Very good price for product.

Unvergleichliche Qualität, Dervent eine echte Garantie um mit geschlossenen Augen genommen werden. In diesem Set ist so gut wie alles vorhanden, was in diversen Zeichenschulen vorgeschlagen wird