Sarah, that gets into one of the broadest questions asked down through the ages. "What constitutes true art? The opinions are endless, and in an attempt to give it a more specific definition, some may try to eliminate someone else's form of free expression. It not only encompasses the visual arts, but music, writing, acting, and any form of creativity and free expression! Like Jeffrey said, "it is the byproduct of the human need to express oneself". But that can be almost limitless in the way that it is conveyed or expressed! It is very much related to a kind of Charades, where you can do almost anything to act out a thought visually, but without words. It is very effective though and is probably why some will say, that "A picture is worth a thousand words." Napolean Bonaparte. An idea, feeling, emotion, word, etc., etc., that keys into and stimulates the imagination of the artist and recipient, can create the necessary illusion that will represent what you are trying to communicate. So that then, a person can get the "Picture", so to speak. "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." Thomas Merton. Now, that enters into the next wonderland! What will the recipient see? Everybody will see something a little different, because they will have their own unique history, memories, and experiences. It is much like a smell, or a song, that instantly takes you back to a moment in time. The challenge of the artist may be to make a person see what they want them to see, but that will always be processed through the recipient's own set of emotions and experiences, as they identify, or not, with what you have attempted to express and communicate. So, have fun drawing and expressing yourself through the wonderful world of ART!!! Darrel :) :) :)

Hi Derek, I have wanted to test out and confirm that I think the KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH TOISON D"OR 1900 are the same pencils as the BLICK STUDIO pencils. I will try to get that done this weekend. I have not done it yet, because I am missing the 4H and as you can see in the tests that I am looking for a good progression from one grade to the next. That is the worst thing about some pencils, in that one grade of pencil may be very much as the other grade. This is the problem with the TOMBO MONO, in that they not only tend to be darker right from the very start, but that the HB is maybe even darker than the 2B, or at least very much the same. I liked the feel of the lead, but if each lead would not be the right incremental step to the next grade, then it would be a disadvantage..., Darrel :)