A carpenter pencil is essentially a pen that has a flattened body with an elliptical or square cross-section in order to avoid it from shattering when it is used. Carpenters use these pens mainly for ornamental work, as well as a variety of other uses. Pencils resemble the shape of a pine tree and, depending on the brand, can be made of wood or metal. They are usually very comfortable to hold, although some brands are designed with a rough grip so that they can be used more like a pen.
Most artists use these pens when creating sketching, drawing, photography, and as decorations for their art. Most people are familiar with the use of pencils or sketch pads by professional artists because these are the tools of choice for creating fine art. However, carpenters also commonly use these tools. They are used in schools, at home, and for a wide variety of other artistic projects. The following is information about these pens.
Invented by Thomas Lee in 1840, the modern carpenter pencil dates back almost a century. Lee based his design on the carpenter pencil of Germany's Carolus Frut bitten by the famous pencil sharpener, Jan Van Eyck. Van Eyck used his specialized tools to sharpen pencils and, at the same time, created the mold for them so that they could be manufactured. It wasn't until decades later that artists began to use these pens, and even today they are popular among artists of all levels.
There are two main types of carpenter pencil: wet and dry. A wet pencil is one that is typically used for sketching. These are typically held in a hand with the center of gravity placed forward, which results in them being light and portable. The dry variety is typically held in the fingers of a right-handed person with the point of impact coming from the fingers rather than the center of gravity. As you can imagine, both of these pens have their advantages and disadvantages.
Wet pens have an affinity for bleeding. Because they are designed for sketching, this can cause some bleed through if the artist doesn't hold the pencil securely enough. For this reason, some carpenter pencils will come with protective caps. These are particularly important for the budding artist who has just started to sketch out their work, as the cap will keep the blood from soaking into the pencil and causing smudges on the paper.
Dry pens, on the other hand, are typically used for detailed, high-resolution images or artwork. While they are less likely to 'bleed', there is still a possibility that some blood will be splattered on the paper. Because of this, it is very important that an artist cleans or even disinfects the pen before using it on any particular paper. The best way to do this is by wiping the pan clean with a paper towel or, if it is really dirty, by simply throwing it away and purchasing a new one.
Like most other pens, carpenter pencils can be purchased either in sets of 4 or in boxes of a dozen. In addition to having a wide range of uses, they also look nice when put in a book or planner. They are also available in a number of colors including black, burgundy, blue, and charcoal.
A carpenter pencil can make any type of writing possible. Whether it is a simple line or intricate detailed lettering, the versatility of these tools is astounding. They can even be used for calligraphy. This process is known as gesso. This method was developed in Italy during the 14th century, long before pen and paper ever existed. Today, it is still a popular technique.
