<p><strong>Yes, it does.</strong></p>
<p>First of all, as fixer1234 mentions in the comments, softer pencils relatively contain more graphite (hence they can produce darker tones). As relatively more graphite is deposited into the texture of paper, it will be easier and more visible (i.e. obvious) if it gets smudged.</p>
<p>Secondly - and this is mostly theoretical and aligned with your own hypothesis - a more superficial abrasion will cause the graphite particles to be deposited more loosely onto the paper, which will similarly make it more susceptible to smudging.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-05T09:11:56.870Z
2022-01-05T09:17:59.087Z
2022-01-05T09:17:59.087Z
Joachim
<p>Suppose you have <strong><code>6B</code></strong> pencil from some reputed brand. You can create various degrees of shades using it. For example, if you use less pressure and hold it at a very low angle (slanted), it will give lighter shades, and if you use normal pressure, it will give darker values.</p>
<p>Now, <strong>I want to know if creating lighter shades from a darker pencil increases its chances of more smudging and smearing (or maybe even blurring).</strong></p>
<p>Personally I feel <strong>yes</strong>, and my theory is that when we use less pressure, the graphite is not properly 'inserted' into paper texture. But when we use more pressure, it is more attached to the paper. So that's why I feel so.</p>
<p>But that's only my speculation and personal observation from a few times. I have tested it and it works especially when I have to create a blur effect. I don't know for sure. I could be wrong too.</p>
<p>Something similar has been briefly mentioned <a href="https://crafts.stackexchange.com/a/377/2568">here</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>A note, pencils in the B range are softer and will smudge more and more obviously, so be extra careful with them. 4H and higher shouldn't smear very much at all, but they give you much lighter values.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>But I want to know in detail if creating lighter shades from darker (soft) pencils actually increases the chance of getting it smudged and smeared?</p>
<hr />
<p>PS: <strong>In case it helps to know why I want an answer:</strong> I want to know because I can get lighter shades from a lighter grade like <strong><code>4B</code></strong> or <strong><code>3B</code></strong> pencil instead of using a <strong><code>6B</code></strong> with less pressure. So that will decrease the chances of smudging. Both when we are drawing and after the drawing is done and we review it after years!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-07-28T18:18:58.887Z
Not specifically what you are asking, but if you want to avoid smudging after your picture is complete, coat it with a lacquer or fixative.
Rory Alsop
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-07-28T18:21:58.063Z
@RoryAlsop no, actually that question has already been asked. About avoiding smudging. I just want to ask if it is true or false.
Vikas
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-07-30T07:13:54.417Z
I suspect you're right, but for a different reason.  Pencil lead is a mixture mainly of graphite and clay.  The higher the % of graphite, the softer it is.  Say the darkness on the page is roughly proportional to the amount of graphite (lightly applied soft pencil = small amount of graphite; heavily applied hard pencil = small amount of graphite mixed with clay).  Clumps of graphite from the soft pencil will smear more easily than the graphite/clay mix from the hard pencil.  But the real test will take an experiment.  :-)
fixer1234
<drawing><pencils><sketching><graphite>
Does creating lighter shades from darker pencils actually increase the chances of it getting smudged and smeared?
Vikas
# Does creating lighter shades from darker pencils actually increase the chances of it getting smudged and smeared?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-07-28)

Suppose you have **`6B`** pencil from some reputed brand. You can create various degrees of shades using it. For example, if you use less pressure and hold it at a very low angle (slanted), it will give lighter shades, and if you use normal pressure, it will give darker values.

Now, **I want to know if creating lighter shades from a darker pencil increases its chances of more smudging and smearing (or maybe even blurring).**

Personally I feel **yes**, and my theory is that when we use less pressure, the graphite is not properly 'inserted' into paper texture. But when we use more pressure, it is more attached to the paper. So that's why I feel so.

But that's only my speculation and personal observation from a few times. I have tested it and it works especially when I have to create a blur effect. I don't know for sure. I could be wrong too.

Something similar has been briefly mentioned [here](https://crafts.stackexchange.com/a/377/2568):

> A note, pencils in the B range are softer and will smudge more and more obviously, so be extra careful with them. 4H and higher shouldn't smear very much at all, but they give you much lighter values.

But I want to know in detail if creating lighter shades from darker (soft) pencils actually increases the chance of getting it smudged and smeared?

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PS: **In case it helps to know why I want an answer:** I want to know because I can get lighter shades from a lighter grade like **`4B`** or **`3B`** pencil instead of using a **`6B`** with less pressure. So that will decrease the chances of smudging. Both when we are drawing and after the drawing is done and we review it after years!

**Tags:** drawing, pencils, sketching, graphite

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Not specifically what you are asking, but if you want to avoid smudging after your picture is complete, coat it with a lacquer or fixative.  
> **username_0**: @RoryAlsop no, actually that question has already been asked. About avoiding smudging. I just want to ask if it is true or false.  
> **username_2**: I suspect you're right, but for a different reason.  Pencil lead is a mixture mainly of graphite and clay.  The higher the % of graphite, the softer it is.  Say the darkness on the page is roughly proportional to the amount of graphite (lightly applied soft pencil = small amount of graphite; heavily applied hard pencil = small amount of graphite mixed with clay).  Clumps of graphite from the soft pencil will smear more easily than the graphite/clay mix from the hard pencil.  But the real test will take an experiment.  :-)  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2022-01-05. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

**Yes, it does.**

First of all, as username_2 mentions in the comments, softer pencils relatively contain more graphite (hence they can produce darker tones). As relatively more graphite is deposited into the texture of paper, it will be easier and more visible (i.e. obvious) if it gets smudged.

Secondly - and this is mostly theoretical and aligned with your own hypothesis - a more superficial abrasion will cause the graphite particles to be deposited more loosely onto the paper, which will similarly make it more susceptible to smudging.


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