I used H4 graphite pencil at the beginning. Most of this is done with a mix of Hard and Light Charcoal pencils. The charcoal pencils I use are woodless and I use sand paper to sharpen them. I use tortillion (rolled up paper for blending) as well as paint brushes and q-tips. The charcoal shavings I get from sharpening the woodless charcoal pencils and eraser putty for an eraser.