Fantasy Mountains

[Chris Lewis]

It might also help to get hold of a 2B or 4B pencil, and apply only very light pressure to the paper. Softer pencils have greater tonal variation, and are easier to use. You start light and gradually work darker with care.

A putty rubber (something artists use because they don't smear the graphite around or tear at the paper like common erasers) might also come in handy

Excellent. I'll apply those suggestions and carry them forward.

[Mouse]

The only disadvantage of using softer pencils is that they become blunt a bit too quickly. I don't use pencil sharpeners at all, however, because they just eat up the pencil far too quickly. Instead I have a scalpel that I scrape the lead with to make a point whenever I need it. You can use any knife (as long as its reasonably sharp and not your mum's best carving knife). Do it a bit like whittling a stick, but take only thin slithers off each time.

[Chris Lewis]

I suppose I'll start using a razor blade, then

[Mouse]

Yikes! Be careful with your fingers!!!