6 Tips for Sharpening Your Pastel Pencils
Simple Ways to Sharpen Your Pastel Pencils to Improve Your Animal Portrait Drawing
Have you ever been in the middle of drawing animals with pastel pencils… and your pencil just doesn’t stay sharp enough for the details you want to create?
It can feel frustrating — especially when you’re working on fine fur, textures, or small areas.
The number one thing, that is really important is, that you use the right amount of pressure. I always recommend to my students in Animal Art Club and in my lessons working with very little pressure. Then you don’t need to sharpen your pencils all the time.
But you still need to sharpen them then of course.
Pastel pencils are beautiful to work with, but they are also softer and more delicate than regular pencils.
That means sharpening them the right way makes a big difference
In this post, I’ll share a few simple tips that can help you sharpen your pastel pencils more effectively — so you can focus on drawing animals without interruptions.
1. USE A METALLIC SHARPENER
Metallic sharpeners work best for me. I use double metallic sharpeners for good results.
But they become blunt very quickly, so I use also following tips.
A good sharpener is the foundation for clean and precise lines. If you notice more breakage than usual, it’s often a sign that your sharpener needs replacing.
2. USE A CRAFT KNIFE
A craft knife is great for cutting the wood casing. It gives you more control and prevents breakage.
And your metallic sharpeners will not be blunt so early.
This method allows you to gently expose more of the pastel core. With a little practice, it becomes a very precise and reliable way to prepare your pencils.
3. USE SANDPAPER
After sharpening, use sandpaper to refine the lead. This helps achieve a fine point for detailed work.
Sandpaper is perfect for shaping your pencil exactly the way you need it.
It also helps maintain a sharp point while working on fine details.
4. SHARPEN ONLY THE FRONT PART
This method works really well. Use metallic sharpeners to sharpen just the front part of the lead, not the wood, to maintain a sharp point for your details. I use this method most of the time during drawing.
This is especially helpful while you are in the middle of a drawing.
It saves time and keeps your pencil ready without over-sharpening it.
5. USE HAND CRANK SHARPENERS
Manual sharpeners with a crank are reliable and offer good control. Choose one designed for pastel pencils for best results, for example Q-Connect and test, how long they stay sharp.
These sharpeners can give you a more even and consistent result.
They are a great option if you sharpen your pencils frequently.
6. USE AN ELECTRIC SHARPENER
Electric sharpeners can be very convenient, especially those with adjustable settings. They make quick work of sharpening and can be a great addition to your toolkit.
They can save time, especially when preparing multiple pencils. Choosing a gentler setting can help prevent unnecessary breakage.
Final thought:
Sharp pencils make a real difference in your drawings.
They help you create cleaner lines, finer details, and much more control — especially when working on fur, eyes, and textures.
Taking a little extra care when sharpening your pastel pencils not only protects them from breaking… It also helps you enjoy the process much more.
Because when your tools work well, drawing animals becomes so much easier and more satisfying!
Do you want to learn how to draw realistic animal eyes? Check out my eye mini course here!
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