With it's soft, smooth graphite core, the Blackwing Matte range is designed for artists looking to produce bold, dark lines & deep shading effects. An ideal gift for the artist in your life (or yourself), this set of 12 professional-quality pencils arrives in an attractive upright gift box that can double as a desktop holder for display & convenient storage. Originally developed & popularised in the 1930's, Blackwing graphite pencils quickly gained notoriety amongst creatives of the time, with notable users including cartoonist (and Bugs Bunny creator) Chuck Jones & author John Steinbeck. Famed not only for their quality, but iconic style, Blackwing Palomino pencils are available in 4 distinct varieties (Matte, Natural, Pearl & 602). Their precisely engineered bodies are made using genuine incense-cedar wood finished with a varnish for strength, stability & longevity. Encased in this reinforced wood is a premium Japanese graphite core, which has been carefully blended using a combination of clay for strength & wax for a smooth, comfortable finish. Distinctly shaped & instantly recognisable, their ferrules allow for extending & even replacing erasers as needed. Replacement erasers are available in several colours, so you can mix & match, for a unique Blackwing all your very own!