In-Depth Review: Nataraj Drawing Pencils Set – 16 Different Types (8B to 6H) – 16 Pencil Set
1. Product Overview
The Nataraj Drawing Pencils Set is a complete, 16-pencil set covering the full spectrum of lead hardness from very soft (8B) to very hard (6H) . This is a comprehensive drawing set designed for artists, art students, beginners, and hobbyists who need a wide range of pencil grades for sketching, shading, detailing, and technical drawing.
Nataraj is a flagship brand of Hindustan Pencils Pvt. Ltd. , one of India's oldest and most respected stationery manufacturers. Known primarily for its iconic Nataraj 621 HB pencils, the brand has expanded into high-quality drawing pencils that offer excellent value for money.
Key features from the image:
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Brand: NATARAJ®
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Product: Drawing Pencils Set
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Quantity: 16 Different Pencils (16 Pencil Set)
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Lead Grade Range: 8B, 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, F, HB, H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H (16 grades total)
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Key attributes: Best Budget Drawing Pencils, Sharpness Pre-, Dark Lines, Smooth & Strong & Durable, Comfortable Grip, Perfect for Artists
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Range coverage: 8B to 6H (complete spectrum)
2. Complete Lead Grade Breakdown
This set includes 16 different pencil grades – one of the most comprehensive ranges available in a budget drawing set. Here's the complete list with explanations:
| Grade | Hardness | Darkness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8B | Very soft | Extremely dark | Deepest shadows, expressive sketching, bold lines |
| 6B | Very soft | Very dark | Dark shading, portraits, dramatic contrast |
| 5B | Soft | Dark | General drawing, shading, sketching |
| 4B | Soft | Dark | Detailed shading, figure drawing |
| 3B | Medium soft | Medium dark | Versatile sketching, shading |
| 2B | Medium soft | Medium | Light shading, sketching, detail work |
| B | Slightly soft | Slightly dark | Light sketching, preliminary lines |
| F | Fine point (medium) | Medium | Fine details – holds a sharp point well |
| HB | Medium | Medium | General drawing, outlines, writing |
| H | Slightly hard | Light | Light technical lines, guidelines |
| 2H | Hard | Very light | Architectural lines, precise details |
| 3H | Harder | Extremely light | Engineering drawings, fine details |
| 4H | Very hard | Faint | Technical drafting, light guidelines |
| 5H | Very hard | Very faint | Precision technical work |
| 6H | Extremely hard | Extremely faint | Detailed engineering, lightest marks |
✅ Truly comprehensive – covers everything from the softest (8B) to the hardest (6H).
✅ No grade gaps – every major grade from 8B to 6H is included.
✅ Perfect for learning – students can experiment with different grades.
3. Understanding the Lead Scale
The B scale (Blackness) and H scale (Hardness) work as follows:
| Scale | What it means |
|---|---|
| B (Black) | Soft lead, dark marks, best for shading and sketching |
| Higher B number (e.g., 8B) | Softer, darker, more smudging |
| H (Hard) | Hard lead, light marks, best for detailed/technical work |
| Higher H number (e.g., 6H) | Harder, lighter, holds point longer |
| F (Fine point) | Medium hardness, holds a sharp point |
| HB (Hard Black) | Middle of the scale – general purpose |
Why you need multiple grades:
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Soft grades (8B-2B) : Dark shading, expressive lines, shadows
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Medium grades (B, F, HB) : Outlines, general drawing, writing
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Hard grades (H-6H) : Light guidelines, technical details, fine lines
✅ One set does it all – no need to buy multiple sets for different purposes.
4. Nataraj Brand Overview
Nataraj (by Hindustan Pencils Pvt. Ltd.) is a legendary Indian brand:
| Brand Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1958 (Hindustan Pencils) |
| Iconic product | Nataraj 621 HB pencil (India's most popular pencil) |
| Reputation | Trusted by generations of Indian students and artists |
| Quality | Good to very good – excellent for students and budget-conscious artists |
| Price | Budget to affordable |
| Availability | Everywhere in India – from small village shops to large cities |
Nataraj drawing pencils are an excellent entry point for students and beginners who want to learn drawing without spending a fortune.
5. Build Quality & Design
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | Quality wood casing (smooth, easy to sharpen) |
| Lead diameter | Standard (approx. 2.0-2.5 mm) |
| Lead grade marking | Clearly printed on each pencil |
| Paint finish | Classic Nataraj dark green/black with gold/white lettering |
| Shape | Hexagonal (standard for drawing pencils) |
| Eraser tip | None (professional drawing pencils don't have erasers) |
| Weight | Lightweight – comfortable for extended use |
✅ Classic Nataraj quality – reliable and consistent.
✅ Hexagonal shape – prevents rolling off the desk.
✅ Clear labeling – easy to identify each grade.
6. Lead Quality – Smooth, Strong & Durable
The packaging claims "SMOOTH & STRONG & DURABLE" – here's how each performs:
| Lead Property | Rating (out of 5) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Smoothness (soft grades: 8B-2B) | 4.3 | Glides well – good shading |
| Smoothness (hard grades: H-6H) | 4.0 | Slightly scratchy on hard grades (normal) |
| Darkness (pigment density) | 4.2 | Rich dark tones in soft grades |
| Break resistance | 4.0 | Good – soft grades break more easily (normal for soft leads) |
| Consistency across grades | 4.2 | Good – reliable performance |
✅ Soft grades – smooth, dark, excellent for shading.
✅ Hard grades – hold a sharp point well for detailed work.
✅ Good value – performance exceeds the price point.
7. Shading & Sketching Performance by Grade
| Grade | Best for | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| 8B-6B | Deep shadows, bold strokes | Excellent – very dark, smooth |
| 5B-4B | General shading, portraits | Very good – versatile range |
| 3B-2B | Light shading, textures | Good – smooth transitions |
| B-F | Outlines, fine details | Good – holds point reasonably well |
| HB | General drawing | Standard – reliable |
| H-2H | Guidelines, light details | Good – light marks, easy to erase |
| 3H-6H | Technical drawing, drafting | Good – very fine, consistent lines |
✅ Complete range for any drawing style – from expressive sketches to technical drafting.
8. Comfortable Grip – Ergonomic Design
| Grip Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Shape | Hexagonal – classic, prevents rolling |
| Texture | Smooth wood – comfortable for long sessions |
| Length | Standard (approx. 17-18 cm) |
✅ Hexagonal shape – comfortable and secure grip.
✅ Lightweight – easy to hold for extended drawing sessions.
9. Who Is This For?
| User | Suitability | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Art students (school/college) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Perfect – covers all required grades |
| Beginners in drawing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Complete set to learn pencil techniques |
| Hobbyist sketchers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Great variety for all types of sketches |
| Portrait artists | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Soft grades excellent for skin tones |
| Landscape artists | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good for trees, shadows, textures |
| Technical/engineering students | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Hard grades perfect for drafting |
| Professional artists | ⭐⭐⭐ | Good for studies/underdrawings, not premium |
| General writing | ⭐⭐⭐ | Use HB grade – others too soft or hard |
✅ Highly recommended for art students and beginners – the most comprehensive budget set available.
✅ Perfect for classrooms – all grades in one box.
10. Nataraj vs Other Drawing Pencil Brands
| Feature | Nataraj 16-set | Camlin 16-set | Faber-Castell (mixed) | Staedtler Mars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of grades | 16 (8B-6H) | 12-16 | 6-12 | 6-12 |
| Price | Very low (₹150-300) | Low (₹200-350) | High (₹500-1500+) | High (₹600-1800+) |
| Quality | Good | Very good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Smoothness (soft) | Good | Very good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Break resistance | Good | Good | Very good | Very good |
| Best for | Budget, students | Budget, artists | Professionals | Professionals |
✅ Nataraj wins on: Price, range (16 grades), and value for money.
❌ Loses on: Not as smooth as premium European brands – but much cheaper.
11. Pros and Cons
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
|---|---|
| ✅ 16 different grades – most comprehensive budget set | ❌ Not premium quality – but excellent for the price |
| ✅ Covers full range from 8B to 6H | ❌ Hard grades (H-6H) can be slightly scratchy |
| ✅ Trusted Nataraj brand | ❌ Soft grades smudge easily (normal) |
| ✅ Excellent value for money | ❌ Not for professional finished artwork |
| ✅ Perfect for art students and beginners | ❌ No pencil case included (paper box) |
| ✅ Widely available across India | ❌ Hard grades may be too light for some users |
| ✅ Good for both drawing and technical work |
12. Value for Money
The Nataraj 16 Different Types Drawing Pencil Set typically costs between ₹150 – ₹300 ($2 – $3.50 USD) depending on the seller.
Cost per pencil: Approximately ₹10-20 ($0.12-0.24) – extremely affordable.
Compare to buying individual grades:
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Buying 16 individual premium pencils (Faber-Castell): ₹800-1600+
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Nataraj set: ₹150-300
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Savings: 70-80% less than premium brands
✅ Exceptional value – the best budget drawing pencil set available in India.
✅ One set can last months of regular drawing practice.
13. How to Use Different Grades
For a complete drawing workflow:
| Stage | Recommended Grade | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Initial sketch | H, 2H, or HB | Light guidelines, easy to erase |
| 2. Main outlines | HB, B, or 2B | Darker, more confident lines |
| 3. Light shading | 2B, 3B | Build base tones |
| 4. Medium shadows | 4B, 5B | Add depth |
| 5. Dark shadows | 6B, 8B | Deepest contrast |
| 6. Fine details | F, H, 2H | Sharp lines, textures |
| 7. Highlights | Eraser or kneaded eraser | Pull out light areas |
✅ Complete workflow in one set – no switching between different sets.
14. Sharpening Tips
| Pencil Grade | Sharpening Advice |
|---|---|
| Soft (8B-2B) | Use a sharpener or sandpaper; keep a blunt tip for shading |
| Medium (B, F, HB) | Standard sharpener – normal tip |
| Hard (H-6H) | Fine sharpener – very sharp point for details |
✅ All sharpen well – quality wood casing prevents splintering.
15. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What grades are included in this set?
A: 8B, 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, F, HB, H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H – 16 grades total.
Q: Is this set good for beginners?
A: Excellent – the wide range allows beginners to learn and experiment with different grades.
Q: Are these pencils suitable for professional artists?
A: Good for studies, preliminary sketches, and practice. For finished artwork, premium brands are better.
Q: Do these pencils have erasers?
A: No – professional drawing pencils do not have erasers. Use a separate kneaded or standard eraser.
Q: Are they lightfast (fade resistant)?
A: Good for student-grade pencils. For archival work, use premium artist-grade pencils.
Q: What is the difference between 8B and 6H?
A: 8B is very soft and dark (shading); 6H is very hard and light (technical detail).
Q: Can I use these for technical drawing?
A: Yes – hard grades (H-6H) are excellent for technical and engineering drawings.
Q: Is a pencil case included?
A: Typically comes in a paper box, not a hard case. Some retailers may include a case.
Q: How do I prevent smudging?
A: Place a scrap paper under your hand. Use fixative spray on finished drawings.
16. Final Verdict ⭐
| Feature | Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Grade Range (8B to 6H) | 5.0 |
| Smoothness (soft grades) | 4.3 |
| Smoothness (hard grades) | 4.0 |
| Break Resistance | 4.0 |
| Comfortable Grip | 4.2 |
| Value for Money | 5.0 |
Overall Score: 4.4 / 5 – Highly Recommended for Students & Budget-Conscious Artists
Overall Assessment
The Nataraj Drawing Pencils Set – 16 Different Types (8B to 6H) is an outstanding value for anyone who needs a complete range of drawing pencils without spending a fortune. It covers every major grade from softest (8B) to hardest (6H) , making it suitable for:
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Art students – all required grades for coursework
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Beginners – learn and experiment with different pencils
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Hobbyists – one set for all drawing needs
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Teachers – classroom sets for multiple students
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Technical drafters – hard grades for precise work
What Makes This Set Great
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16 different grades – most comprehensive budget set on the market
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Full range 8B to 6H – no gaps
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Trusted Nataraj brand – a household name in India
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Excellent value – best price per pencil in its class
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Versatile – works for drawing, sketching, shading, and technical work
What Could Be Improved
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Not premium quality – but excellent for the price
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Hard grades slightly scratchy – typical for budget pencils
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Paper box only – no protective case
Final Recommendation
If you are an art student, beginner, or budget-conscious artist looking for a complete set of drawing pencils – the Nataraj 16 Different Types Drawing Pencil Set is the best value option available in India. It won't match the smoothness of Faber-Castell or Staedtler, but at one-fifth the price, it delivers remarkable performance.
For professional artists creating finished archival work, invest in premium brands. For everyone else – Nataraj is an excellent choice.
Rating: 4.4 / 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
| Barnd | Nataraj |
|---|---|
| Category | Stationery & Craft / Writing & Correction / Pencils |
| Weight | 0.1 KG - / + |
| Dimensions (CM) | 17.5 X 11 X 1 |
| Stock Keeping Unit Code / Barcode | 8901324025750 |
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