Sketching

• Graphite pencils are a very common visual art tool, as they are convenient, neat and produce a range of shading and line effects. Pencils with a sharp tip are ideal for detail drawing, while blunt graphite can be used for shading, blending and thicker lines. Pencil drawings tend to be realistically rendered, because pencils create such precise lines and effects, like skin and hair textures.
  
  

Hair Bun

• Use a pair of standard pencils to hold up long hair in place of a clip. Gather the hair into a bunch at the back of the head, and insert one pencil into the hair bun diagonally from each side, intersecting the two into an X shape. The stiff wooden pencils hold the hair up and away from the face. This method is seen commonly in East Asian countries, with chopsticks used in place of pencils.
  
  

Plant Growing

• When you have a small plant in need of support so that it grows correctly, you can use a pencil to stake the plant. Take a small strip of cloth or old stockings, and gently tie the rod (pencil) to the growing plant. Pencils are also handy when you need to check the status of soil. Stick the pencil into the dirt and remove it to examine the moisture level on the below-surface soil. If the soil is dry and crumbly and does not stick to the pencil at all, it's time for a watering.
  
  

Arts and Crafts

• When pencils aren't making their mark on written papers and drawings or used as sticks for a household task, they are seen in homes and classrooms as decoration in creative projects. You can adorn a picture frame by pasting sharpened pencils along the border or accessorize a modern art sculpture by using the pencil itself as a part of the display. Pencils come in a variety of vibrant colors, not just bright yellow, and they are convenient and inexpensive to use.