# Guide to graphite question **URL:** \ **Category:** Art Medium Discussion and Questions\ **Created:** [October 28, 2024, 9:26am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/guide-to-graphite-question/4072 "2024-10-28T09:26:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jennilein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@Jennilein](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Jennilein)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2024, 9:26am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/guide-to-graphite-question/4072/1 "2024-10-28T09:26:56Z")
I’m doing the course tight now and I tried some mark making exercises. I noticed I have a difficult time eith circling. I can’t control the pencil well. I held a 2b faber castell more to the back n draw with the side but still get dark marks and noticeable lines. Any ideas how to fix this? ![1000050878](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/7/729ceae208be1a0af4383a86440a329f812d284a.jpeg) ![1000050879](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/7/700533b6355aeb5cf13a7779c8dcfa0504786cc0.jpeg) I also tried this before with derwent 2b and got even darker marks ![1000050880](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/d/d331e36221b6594b644dab1bfab1e64560346634.jpeg) Here I tried the light n shadow exercise with this circling method. I used the bristol smooth and the H Hb 2B 4B pencils used in the video. Brands Faber-Castell/Derwent ![1000050881](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/0/096d47144772e539543c470e6e43bc1f55d6208f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2024, 11:22am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/guide-to-graphite-question/4072/2 "2024-10-28T11:22:44Z")
Try using an even lighter touch (don’t push down too hard) and keep practicing. Lots of practice. It will gradually get better and better, so keep these initial drawings for a comparison of your progress. Another thought - try using a pencil that isn’t very sharp. Terri Robichon ---
**Author:** ![Jennilein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@Jennilein](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Jennilein)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2024, 1:22pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/guide-to-graphite-question/4072/3 "2024-10-28T13:22:35Z")
Thanks I will. I have a cardboard box full of those exercises. I also do them over and over again with the different courses.