Charcoal Drawing Set - GENERAL'S 4 Pencils + Eraser Pack (Set of 3)

In this review the reviewer looks at the General's charcoal drawing set and finds it a practical, budget-minded kit for students and sketch artists who need reliable tonal range. The pack contains a mix of dark charcoal pencils plus a white charcoal for highlights and a kneaded eraser, and the single biggest reason to buy is the immediate usefulness: it covers sketching, shading and lifting without needing additional tools. The review focuses on performance, build, and everyday value rather than professional-grade permanence.

Key Features

• Complete starter set: Includes a range of dark and white charcoal pencils and a kneaded eraser so an artist can begin sketching and highlighting right away.
• Varied tonal range: The mix of 6B, 4B and 2B charcoal pencils delivers deep blacks and midtones useful for expressive sketching and shading.
• White charcoal for highlights: The white pencil is effective for crisp highlights and can be used as a wash-out marking tool on fabrics and darker surfaces.
• Safe, non-toxic materials: The pencils and eraser conform to ASTM D4236 and are latex-free and PVC-free, making them suitable for classroom use.
• Easy to sharpen: Handcrafted incense cedar wood barrels sharpen cleanly, producing stable points for fine lines and detail work.
• Economical multi-pack: Sold as packs that suit art students or groups, offering good value for practice and coursework.

Who It's For

This kit is aimed at art students, beginners and hobbyists who need an affordable, ready-to-use charcoal set for sketching, tonal studies and mixed-media practice. The combination of dark charcoals and a white pencil covers common classroom and studio tasks without requiring separate purchases.

More advanced artists seeking archival materials or extra-durable leads should look elsewhere, as some users report lead breakage and this set is best used for studies and practice rather than final archival pieces.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good value for money with multiple pencils and an eraser included in each pack.
• Strong pigmentation and smooth blendability make it easy to achieve a wide range of tones.
• Pencils sharpen smoothly due to straight-grain cedar wood.
• White charcoal adds useful capability for highlights and fabric marking.

Cons

• Some users report durability issues with leads breaking more easily than expected.
• The kneaded eraser receives mixed feedback and may not suit fine, precise removals for everyone.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The General's charcoal drawing set is a practical, economical choice for students and casual sketchers who need a useful range of tones and a simple highlight tool. It delivers good pigment, easy sharpening and immediate versatility, though those needing long-lasting, professional archival media may prefer more specialized brands. Overall it represents strong value for study and practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this kit include an eraser suitable for fine detail?
The kit includes a kneaded eraser that is good for lifting charcoal and soft shaping, but some users find it less precise for very fine corrections.

Are these pencils easy to sharpen?
Yes, the pencils are handcrafted from straight-grained cedar wood so they sharpen cleanly and hold a usable point for detail work.

Is the white charcoal safe to use on fabric?
The white pencil works as a wash-out marking tool on fabrics and is non-toxic, but test on a scrap first to confirm desired results.