A standard #2 (HB) is fine, but a 2B (softer) and 4B (darker) allow for a full range of value.
The goal of the "Absolute Beginner" stage is not to create a masterpiece, but to build the neural pathways required for hand-eye coordination. Conclusion Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner
Most beginners struggle because they draw what they think they see (a symbol of an eye) rather than what is actually there (a series of curved lines and shadows). A standard #2 (HB) is fine, but a
Drawing is the act of slowing down the world enough to truly understand it. By shifting focus from "the finished product" to "the process of looking," any beginner can move from stick figures to sophisticated representation. The only barrier to entry is the patience to look twice and draw once. Drawing is the act of slowing down the