Buy 2H lead. It's what I use to do all me sketches with and it's GREAT. Also, the heavier the paper, the more it can take, so go over 120gsm incase you're using printer paper. That stuff wont go the distance. 120gsm will still feel it but it'll last longer. If you use 2H, it'll still be erasable even if you have a heavy hand like me. You can't erase bruising in paper though so remember to consider how much you warp the page. It will smooth out the paper and make the pencil not take.
How are you doing the ringlets? As lineart? I normally just make spring directional curves and let the brain do the rest like this
. Rendering ringlets individually only works if the rest of the picture is as detailed lineart wise. I usually simplify it down to form cause frankly, it has the same impact with my art. [thumb11204] This is old cause I don't draw ringlets often, but that's the level of detail I do. Perfectly formed ringlets can get stale and unorganic. I donno if that helps you :<
Thank you. I'm using a regular #2 pencil. And the sketchbook I have is just a cheapo one. I do have a few ones that are higher quality. I will probably finish this one the computer. I posted another WIP.
Ah- I see. Wikipedia says that a #2 pencil is an HB pencil, so to get a 2H, you need a #4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pencil Try doing your future linearts in that till you get to a point where you want to darken your lines. Your paper should last longer as long as you don't make stabbing motions at it XD
That'd be the size of the lead. I use 0.7mm- not by choice though. I'd rather 0.5mm, but I have an AWESOME lead holder that only comes in 0.7mm http://www.penshop.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/r/a/radC7190_1.jpg It's lovely to use <3 I specially get in 2H leads in this size cause it's uncommon in New Zealand :/ It's worth it though
I've been meaning to get some new pencils. All I have are #2, and a few lead pencils 0.5,0.7,0.9mm