@erinrew great question! I have 3 favorites:
-
Sepia Jumbo Jet pencil from Jerry's Artarama (on the expensive side but SO creamy and comfortable!)
-
Derwent Onyx graphite pencils (also available at Jerry's Artarama & Blick)
-
Plain ol' Dixon Ticonderoga #2 pencils
Since I live in the middle of nowhere, I rely on sites like Jerry's and Blick for my art supplies. And every year when school supplies are on sale at Meijer, I grab a back up pack of Ticonderogas.