Mike Sibley   Comment Posted Apr.13th, 2012, viewed 5 times

Much better, Bob!

You and I share a liking for Staedtler leads and clutch pencils - super smooth, virtually impurity-free, and sa pencil that never changes its weight or balance.

Personally, I don't use anything softer than 2B because they become too grainy and damage the sense of realism I'm trying to achieve, although I do have a 6B for a specific purpose but very rarely use it. My most used pencils are 2B, HB and 2H - actually I prefer F to HB but that seems to be going out of production.

I think the graininess of the 4B is why your 2B looks darker - it can more easily fill the tooth of the paper. If enlarge your scan that's definitely the case. The remaining white content within your 4B, although not obvious, is sufficient to visually dilute the strength of tone. (see below)

I won't go into the benefits of the harder grades now but I will soon. If you're not using them, you're removing half of your arsenal of effects. The harder grades definitely have their uses.