I’m thinking of doing some pencil art on the foam before lamination. What’s the right type to use? I’d like it to be thick and dark, as I’ll probably tint the resin just a bit to give the board a “kelp” color. And also, do I need to seal the art with anything before lamination? Thanks in advance.
try the really soft pencils you can get at any art supply store…4B, 6B, 8B, the higher the “B”, the softer the lead.
I always use drafting pencils with soft leads, or for a wider line, carpenter’s pencils (the red & black ones are good, can’t remember the brand name).
Also I don’t think you’re doing epoxy boards, but for those who do - I’ve just recently seen pencils that are made specifically for polystrene foam (on Ebay, although it looks like hobby stores carry them too):
Woodland Scenics - Foam Pencils (# ST1431)
anyone out there ever tried these?? Just curious…
Thanks, I’ll have to grab one of those carpenters pencils, that sounds good. Keith- You know, I’m gonna need to glass this thing. So if, theoretically, say, you were having one of your get togethers in the next month, you know, I could glass it over there…Just saying. 
Tenover,
Look for Koh-I-Noor #355 Flat Lead Sketching Pencils at an art supply. “Flat” being the key word as they might also come in standard round (which might also work). They are about the size of carpenters pencils - oval shape with a wide lead but come in the softer “B” leads mentioned. You can get wide dark drawing with them or nice dark lines when using a sharp point.
Carpenters pencils are usually 2-H or H - harder than the B’s.
I use the sharpened point of a 4-B for nice dark outlines on templates.
Pete
Thanks Pete, will do.
Hey Pete - the red & black carpenter’s pencils (Dixon is the name, I looked it up) come in hard, medium, and soft. The soft ones are what I like… don’t know where they fall on the drafting pencil scale exactly, but they are more like B’s…
Keith,
I think you’re right - lumber yard issue are soft - probably H-B (softer than H)…I don’t even bother taking their freebies for woodwork (my trade) because the mark, no matter how sharp, is not crisp enough - tape measures have those little marks every 1/16, for a reason - and their pencils make a mark twice that - use 3-H for everyday marks plus they stay sharper longer. No good on foam (3-H) - just makes a scratch with barely visible line
Never thought I’d see a thread about pencils…
I guess some of us are more anal than others about how we go about things…
But hey, I’ve spent the better part of my life with a pencil behind my ear/stuck in my hat…I like this stuff…
I’ve used charcoal pencils on foam. Just fakey pinlines and not art. The only problem is smudging, but you could probably seal it with clear acrylic. Mike