Derwent Lightfast Pencil Black 6pc

Derwent Lightfast Pencil Black is a pack of 6 individual Black artist coloured pencils from Derwent's premium Lightfast range — the only 100% lightfast oil-based coloured pencil range available, handcrafted in England with a heritage of quality dating back to 1832. Rated LF1 and fully compliant with internationally recognised lightfast testing standards ASTM D6901 and Blue Wool Scale ISO 105, the Lightfast Black is guaranteed not to fade for up to 100 years under museum conditions, making it a truly archival-quality drawing material for serious studio practice.

The revolutionary oil-based core delivers a buttery, velvety laydown that is distinct from wax-based coloured pencils, producing a rich, dense, opaque black with exceptional depth and intensity. The oil-based formulation allows colours to integrate and blend seamlessly on the page, with a paint-like quality that responds beautifully to layering and burnishing techniques. The 4mm wide core provides substantial pigment deposit with each stroke, enabling bold, expressive coverage as well as controlled, detailed mark-making when the pencil is kept to a fine point.

The Lightfast Black is an exceptionally versatile single-colour supply for secondary studio practice. Used for outline work and negative space definition, it produces a clean, definitive line that sits convincingly over lighter tones. For deep shadow development in coloured pencil compositions, the rich opaque black builds into velvety, luminous depths that remain stable and do not bloom over time. It can also be used in combination with oil mediums such as Zest-it to dissolve and spread colour on the page, creating dramatic paint-like effects that extend the expressive possibilities of pencil work significantly.

The strong, premium core sharpens to a fine, long-lasting point that maintains its integrity through detailed drawing and sustained use without the brittleness and breakage common in lesser oil-based pencils. The generous pack of 6 makes this an excellent classroom supply, ensuring enough pencils are available for whole-class or group project use throughout the term.

Suitable for secondary and senior art students, visual arts HSC programs and professional studio practice, Derwent Lightfast Pencil Black 6pc is a premium archival-quality drawing supply that delivers uncompromising colour performance and permanence for student work intended to stand the test of time.

Derwent Lightfast Pencil Black is best used on high-quality, pH-neutral, heavyweight paper for optimal colour laydown and archival results. Build colour in even, consistent layers from light to dark, avoiding heavy pressure on the first layer that may damage the paper surface. For paint-like effects, dissolve pencil colour on the page using a non-toxic solvent such as Zest-it applied with a brush. The pencil is not water-soluble and should not be used with water-based mediums. Avoid using with fixatives where possible as this may affect lightfastness. For best preservation of finished work, hang behind UV-protective glass and away from direct sunlight.