Beyond the Cosmic Veil

Beyond the Cosmic Veil

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Beyond the Cosmic Veil
Beyond the Cosmic Veil
Lesson 1 - Drawing Fundamentals
Drawing Course

Lesson 1 - Drawing Fundamentals

Sharpening a Pencil and How to Accurately Divide Lines

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Classical Aegis
Jul 16, 2025
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Beyond the Cosmic Veil
Beyond the Cosmic Veil
Lesson 1 - Drawing Fundamentals
5
6
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Welcome to the first practical lesson!

Today, we'll focus on essential skills every artist needs:

How to sharpen a pencil the right way, drawing lines, and dividing lines.


How to Sharpen a Pencil

Pencil sharpeners are for children.

The first skill every artist should learn is how to properly sharpen a pencil

— the right way

Let’s do it…

1. Safely Removing Pencil Wood with a Razor

Proper pencil preparation gives you greater control over your lines. Follow these steps carefully:

  • Safety First: Always push the razor away from your body and fingers.

  • Hold your pencil firmly in your non-dominant hand, pointed away from you.

  • With gentle pressure, shave small amounts of wood at an angle, exposing about half an inch of the graphite core.

  • Rotate the pencil slowly, evenly removing wood on all sides.

  • Stop once enough graphite is exposed, creating a long taper ideal for versatile drawing lines.

  • The end result should leave you with a graphite length of about half an inch and exposed wood of about an inch.

***Make sure the lead isn’t too long, or it will break while drawing!

Always work slowly and deliberately — patience is key!

2. Sharpening Your Pencil with Artist's Sandpaper

Now let's achieve a sharp and precise drawing point:

  • Hold the pencil almost flat against your sandpaper.

  • Lightly rub the graphite core back and forth while rotating the pencil, forming a smooth, tapered point.

  • Adjust pressure to refine the tip as needed.

  • Check frequently to avoid breaking the graphite.

A finely sharpened pencil allows precise detail and accurate hatch marks.

Some artists like to sharpen multiple pencils at a time so they can work continuously.

Personally, I like using one.

Frequently sharpening my pencil allows my thoughts to unwind so I can decentrate and look upon what I am doing with a ‘fresh eye.’

How many pencils you use is up to you.


Before we begin, a special thanks to subscribers who pay for the publication, or expense it as an educational resource or a write off on their taxes.

Let’s begin drawing👇

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