Uses For the Ark Chemistry Bench

Uses For the Ark Chemistry BenchMany people purchase an Ark Chemistry Bench because they believe that they will use it every day. That may be true, but why not find another bench that has more uses for you? If you want to learn about what else you can do with the bench, then let's look at some of the other uses that you can get from this bench.Chemical tanks are a common place for most tanks in the home. They usually hold chemicals such as, chlorine, formaldehyde, and acid. These tanks can be a real hassle if you have kids running around with them or just the urge to move them around. An Ark Chemistry Bench can be used to store them and make it much easier to access them for the day.A common place for liquids to sit is the refrigerator. If you have kids or pets that like to run in and out of the fridge and eat their snacks, they can easily ruin them by walking into the food containers that hold chemicals. This will cause damage to the chemicals in the container, which can make the ch emicals ineffective. This will cause you to spend a lot of money on the bottles of chemicals that you purchased.With children around you will often see them using bottles to serve drinks to their friends and the like, but they often leave their glasses and cups lying around all over the place. They won't think of picking them up because they would have them stolen. You can put the chemicals in them and label them so you know who should pick them up. The cost is also greatly reduced because you no longer have to buy a lot of these in order to keep up with them.Some high school chemistry classes require students to put powdered sulfuric acid in water and mix it up for testing purposes. If you want to add some fun to the class and a bit of danger then you could experiment with the basic version of this process. If you have a little more time than that you can add some citric acid as well. You can use the Ark Chemistry Bench as a practice area and use your own skill to enhance the class .One thing I'm sure that all people have done at some point is to place casserole bowls in containers that aren't labeled properly. You can save yourself a lot of headache by labeling all of your containers when you put them in the Ark Chemistry Bench. Not only will you be able to see what's in them, but you will also be able to identify them quickly when something spills.You will find that the Ark Chemistry Bench can be used to help you teach your children some of the fundamentals of chemistry. Children can learn about the basic elements such as nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. They can learn about different reactions that are occurring when you combine the different elements in various ways.In conclusion, the Ark Chemistry Bench can be used in so many different ways and I hope that you can see how it can save you time and money. It is often a good idea to have a variety of tools to work with, so you don't have to worry about getting them all the same product from the same store.

Am I Fluent Answer These 6 Questions and Find Out!

Am I Fluent Answer These 6 Questions and Find Out! Am I Fluent? Answer These 6 Questions and Find Out! Its a question that has plagued mankind since the beginning of time.Okay, maybe the beginning of time is a bit of an exaggeration.But its a question thats probably plagued mankind for the last 50,000 to two million years in other words, as long as language has been around.Am I fluent?For language learners, the struggle is real. As you take more and more online language courses  and strive to  learn a language fluently  or  get fluent faster, chances are youll always be wondering where youre at.Am I already fluent? If not, when will I be fluent? How will I even know?  Sadly, theres no billboard to announce your fluency. There wont be a large scale balloon release to celebrate your accomplishment.That doesnt mean, however, that you cant determine whether or not youre fluent.All you need to do is ask yourself the six valuable questions below. The Challenge of Defining FluentThe first problem with defining fluent is that theres no set definition. While your average dictionary often tri es to define fluent as being marked with ease using a language, ease seems vague, at best. This makes the definition highly flexible.Plus, there are different degrees of fluency. Language classification systems  and  language proficiency tests  attempt to quantify levels of fluency on clear scales, so if you really want to approximate your level of fluency, a test can help.Finally, the word fluent can (and does) mean different things to different people. Since the main idea is that you need to speak a language with ease, everyone can hold a different idea about what this means. To some people, this might just mean being able to hold a basic conversation. To others, it means being able to communicate or understand nearly any idea on any topic.So your friend who claims to be fluent in French may only be able to order a croissant, while your friend who claims shes nowhere near fluent in Chinese may be able to hold conversations and conduct business, but struggle with some specific voca bulary sets.That all being said, there are some basic questions you can ask yourself to get an idea of how close you are to whats commonly accepted as fluency. So lets find out how fluent you are!Am I Fluent? Answer These 6 Questions and Find Out!Do I translate in my head?Considering whether or not you translate in your head is a helpful way to measure fluency. If you translate between your target and native language in your head continually, chances are youre not what most people would consider fluent. Thats because full fluency generally requires an ability to think in your target language. Thinking in your target language is important because it saves valuable time, improving your ability to interact fully.Looking to jump-start your ability to think in your target language?Consider immersing yourself in the language. One popular way to do this is to travel to a destination where your target language is widely spoken.If that isnt feasible for you, you might consider at-home media immersion with FluentU. FluentU offers authentic, real-world videos like movie trailers, music videos, news and more. All videos are captioned, and the captions are annotated, putting word definitions, associated images and example sentences at the tips of your fingers. You can even click words to see how theyre used in other videos on the site.Another easy way to transition towards thinking in your target language is through journaling.  Each day, set aside 15 minutes to write about your day so far, what you did and how youre feeling in your target language. Doing this will encourage you to think in your target language and save you the effort of translating in your head.Additionally, if you know youre going to write in your target language at the end of the day, you might find yourself thinking about your feelings and activities in your target language during the day to prepare for your journaling time.How quickly can I speak?Some people speak slowly even in their native tongue, b ut if you speak much more slowly in your target language than in your native language, chances are youre not fluent just yet.Having to speak slowly is usually a mark of inexperience speaking the language. If you want to improve your rate of speed, one key way to do it is to find a language learning buddy for conversation practice. The more you practice, the more your speed will naturally improve.To find a language learning buddy, you might check your local university or school system.Still no luck? Reddits language learning community might help you connect with someone whos studying the same language as you. Once youve found the right match, you can practice via Skype.How quickly can I understand?Perhaps even more important than the ability to speak quickly is the ability to understand quickly. When you hear your target language spoken, do you immediately understand what you hear, or does it take you a moment?One good way to measure this is to think about your last conversation in y our target language. After the other speaker finished, did you already know what theyd said, or did you have to go over it again in your head? Immediately understanding your target language with little effort points towards fluency.Does it still take you a while to understand the language? One way to improve your ability to understand spoken language quickly is to  watch TV and movies in your target language.Luckily for you, Netflix is a treasure trove of foreign language programming. If youre still a ways off from fluency, you might want to start watching with subtitles. As you get more comfortable listening to your target language, remove the subtitles.But how will you know when your listening skills are strong enough to be considered fluent? One surefire way is to watch unfamiliar material in your target language without subtitles and see how things go. If you can fully understand even rapid-fire dialogue without pausing, chances are you can consider yourself fluent.How hard do I need to think about what I want to say?If you need to think through anything you say or write out carefully, chances are, youre not yet fluent.For full fluency, you should be able to speak or write off-the-cuff, like you can in your native language. This is a clear marker of ease in using the language, which is a sign of fluency.One way to practice thinking your words out less is to post on social media in your target language. After all, social media is clearly the place for ill-thought-out communication!You might want to start a separate account on a social media outlet like Twitter, dedicated solely to your target language. You may want to avoid using your real name so that if you mess up too badly, you can distance yourself from the account!Then, whenever something happens that you want to react to, simply post quickly in your target language without thinking out the language youre using. Over time, this will get easier and easier.Can native speakers understand me?If you really are fluent in your target language, native speakers should definitely be able to understand you. Do your native speaker friends ask you to repeat what youve said? Do they look confused whenever you speak? If so, youre probably not fluent just yet.Since the goal of learning any language is to be able to communicate effectively in that language, its a big obstacle if native speakers cant understand you. It could be an issue with pronunciation, accent, vocabulary or grammar, but regardless of the root cause, this problem can definitely keep you from being fluent.One way to determine what exactly is stopping native speakers from understanding you is to hire  a native-speaking tutor.Italki can help you find a tutor to assess your areas of weakness and help you become more fluent. If youre not sure if a native speaker can understand you, a tutor will be able to tell you. If you know native speakers dont understand you but dont know why, a tutor can also help pinpoint whats causing this i ssue and work with you to correct it.How comfortable am I with my target language?Yes, comfort counts when it comes to fluency! If you can speak your target language as comfortably as your native language, thats a great sign that you might be fluent. If you still get twitchy when you have to actually use your target language, theres a strong chance youre not quite fluent.One way to improve your skill and comfort level is to find a language exchange partner whos a native speaker. Language exchange partners will help you practice their mother tongue in exchange for help practicing yours.Language exchange services like Tandem are a helpful way to connect with your ideal conversation partner.To get the most out of language exchange, keep a list of things you want to talk about. For instance, if youre struggling with a vocabulary word or grammar structure, you might jot it down so that you can talk to your conversation partner about it. Same thing for topics you struggle with. For exampl e, if youre going on a business trip, you might ask your conversation partner to simulate a business meeting with you to make yourself more comfortable using this specific vocabulary set.Regardless of how you do it, interacting more in your target language can massively increase your confidence, so this is a surefire way to get more comfortable and closer to fluency.Are you fluent? With these six questions, you might be able to finally answer that.And if the answer is no, hopefully you have a good idea now of how to work on moving towards that goal! And One More ThingFluentU can help you with all aspects of your fluencyâ€"all from the comfort of home!With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, including movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful exam ples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive Transcripts You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.

Choosing a Private Tutor For Private Calculus

Choosing a Private Tutor For Private CalculusPrivate calculus tutoring can be a wonderful option for anyone who desires to pursue higher education. The tremendous flexibility of private tutoring allows students to complete any degree program, any time they choose, in the comfort of their own home. Private tutors help students learn algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and more.Private tutors usually offer classroom instruction on Saturdays but often can vary the schedule based on the student's convenience. They often work with students to meet individual needs. When making a decision about which private tutor to use, students should carefully consider the following factors:Learning style: Students may like to work independently or collaboratively. Each type of learning style requires different ways of completing a course, whether it is a rigorous lecture class or a fun online chat course. Students should discuss how the tutor will work with them individually. Each type of learn ing style requires different activities to keep students motivated.Important dates: Tutors have to meet or exceed some dates during the semester. A student can easily miss a date if it is not in sync with the tutor's schedule. If one is attending an online forum, a tutor may be a lot more flexible about this because the tutor does not have to worry about being away from home.Scheduling outside the school year: Many schools allow a student to study in the evening, but some only allow an hour in the morning. There are classes during the day and at night, and many students prefer to study later in the evening or early in the morning. Different schedules are better for different types of students. The instructor should determine a schedule that suits the student's schedule. Also, a scheduling conflict may prevent a student from taking a certain class.Class time: Students should schedule a class in a room that allows time for independent work. A student should ask the tutor what the best times are for independent work, because sometimes time constraints may prevent working from home. Most tutors have much more flexibility with their schedules than with academics. Students should contact the instructor for a list of preferred times.Students should carefully weigh their schedules to choose the right tutor. Depending on the student's level of achievement, there may be better options for learning. Once the student has chosen a tutor, the next step is to work on meeting the tutor's schedule.

Help for Students with Poor Math Skills

Help for Students with Poor Math SkillsOne of the finest school districts in the country is New York City, and it has an exceptional public school system, but that's not the case in the greater New York City region. The nation's largest city has, for many years, had a system of affordable school tutoring for students who need help in their education. From elementary school through high school, students in New York City receive academic assistance from experts who specialize in the subject of math.This kind of support and tutoring is carried out at Columbia- MD. The tutoring programs are completely independent, with no one who works at the New York City public schools coaching the students. In fact, any teacher or school official can be employed as a tutor, since there is no connection between a public school and the program.A training session is conducted annually by the tutoring experts at Columbia-MD, where the children are taught to solve their own problems in mathematics. Student s are tested at the end of the first year to see whether they have improved. Some parents want their children to get college credit for their participation in this program, but it is up to the schools to decide whether a student can receive credit for his or her participation in this program.A brief review of the materials is offered at every session at Columbia-MD. Most of the books used in the program have already been used by other students in other classes. There are also many books on different subjects, such as economics, history, geography, languages, and more.A child should never have to spend money on books that are only useful to the public school system. In addition, there are many DVDs and videos that the students can use during the course of the program.This system of offering tutoring to students has been effective for many years, and it is used by many students who may not be able to afford private tutoring. Many of the tutors who work in this program are former publi c school teachers, and many of them are very good at what they do. Columbia-MD is a recognized institution of the American Association of Schools of Education, and they also award accreditation to the tutoring programs.These programs are being used by many students who cannot afford private tutoring. The students who use the programs are very motivated, and they get a lot of help from the tutors. The result is that a student can obtain a good grade without having to get help from a traditional teacher.

SAT Literature Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace

SAT Literature Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace Expert Online SAT Literature Tutoring If you are looking to get into a competitive college English program, the SAT Literature program may demonstrate your ability to perform at an advanced level. Because the test covers hundreds of years and both English and American Literature, its important to prepare for every aspect of the SAT Literature exam. At Tutor Pace, we require our online Literature tutors to pass a stringent test to become part of our team. In addition, we perform regular evaluations to ensure each of them stays current with the changing trends of the SAT Literature exam. The result is one of the most extensive and well-trained networks of online SAT Literature tutors available in one place. Literature Mastery to Help You Succeed Theres a lot to cover when preparing for the exam. According to the makers of the SAT, the test covers: American Literature English Literature Worldwide Literature written in English The Renaissance to the 20th Century Prose, poetry, and drama It can be difficult to master all of these concepts, so working with Tutor Pace allows you to be matched with a tutor who excels at each area. If you find a tutor you are comfortable with, you can even designate them as a favorite and work with them whenever they are available. Tutor Pace wants you to score higher than you ever hoped on the test, so our online SAT Literature tutoring program is designed to give you the edge in your college career.

German Lessons in Glasgow

German Lessons in Glasgow Where to Find German Classes in Glasgow ChaptersGerman Classes at the Goethe InstitutTake German Lessons with a TutorLearn German in a Language SchoolGerman Language Study at the University of GlasgowIn spite of the Old Firm, our favourite rivalry, Glasgow is consistently voted the friendliest city in the world by travellers and locals alike.Even so, that football rivalry does not make us so crazy that we could that we would fail to embrace something new... say, language lessons.With the tourist season well underway and folks from all over the world visiting, and the reputation our Dear Green Place enjoys, we could bet that at least some of those travellers would be from Germany.Wouldn’t it be great if you could greet them in their native language?Or how about visiting Nuremberg, our German sister-city, with whom we have commercial, cultural and social ties, on your summer holiday?All of these great reasons aside, you don’t really have to have a specific cause for learning German.You might just want to study the langua ge of Goethe for the sheer pleasure of learning something new, or because you would like to plan a holiday to Munich to experience the authentic Oktoberfest.Whatever your reasons for learning German (are you a student needing a bit of exam preparation before sitting your Highers?), Glasgow surely has German lessons for you.Let’s go find them!Gerd Altmann from PixabayNamed after renowned poet and statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, this institute is a cultural exchange and education organisation whose prime objective is to promote the German language worldwide.We are quite fortunate to have an Institut in Glesga; there are only two others in all of the UK!While German instruction is their priority, you shouldn’t think that classroom learning is all there is to Goethe.By far the more captivating aspect of their presence in our city is the cultural events that they put on, everything from musicals to discussion of current events, both in our city and elsewhere in the UK.Did you k now that Goethe will host events at the Edinburgh Festival? Why not see if you could also take German lessons in Edinburgh?Naturally, we could go on and on about all that is on offer at our Goethe Institut but our topic is German language courses in Glasgow and, if you only connect with the fine teachers at that facility for those lessons, you would certainly be well-served.If you are an adult learner, you have your choice of classes and delivery methods: in a formal setting at the Institut or online; a format more in keeping with today’s digital pace.You may also take courses individually â€" just you and your teacher, or in a group with other students who speak German as well as you do.If you wish to certify your language skills through the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, Goethe can help you prepare for that ordeal ahead of administering it to you.Indeed, Goethe is the authorised proctor for those German language exams!Whether you are a youth or adult, they can help you earn your official German language certificate; a vital credential if you plan to study abroad or find work in Germany.You may check their web page for course particulars, dates and costs. While you’re there, be sure to check what is on offer through their ‘culture’ and ‘events’ pages.While consulting their page, you may find yourself totally taken with certain cultural elements of Germany or wonder why the Glasgow Institut is hosting German classes in Birmingham...Take German Lessons with a TutorThe Goethe Institut offers private tutoring, but then, so do other language schools â€" we’ll get to them in a moment.Even better: private tutors whose native language is German abound in our city!It is true that, no matter how strong your desire to learn a foreign language, the pressures and demands of modern life often get in the way. After all, you could hardly ignore your family in favour of a language course, could you?Home tutors provide you with the solution you need to meet your goal and start learning German. In fact, tutors fit the bill in many language learning situations:you have a secondary school student studying for Highers or Advanced Highers in Germanyou are a student at Glasgow University majoring in Germanyou are unable to travel of an evening or would be more comfortable learning languages at homeyour entire family â€" partner and teenaged children, wish to learn German as a groupyou prefer to take lessons online, via webcamNo one method of delivery is better than any other and your preferences should be at the top of the list of criteria you have for language instruction.That is why Superprof tutors have adopted a wide range of teaching methods, suitable for any location you wish to learn at be it in your local library or your dining room table.You can also find Superprof tutors who give lessons online.Whether you need help with your university German language course or need intensive German tutelage ahead of your holiday , Superprof stands at the ready with 18 tutors in the Glesga area and a community of thousands online.A bit of German language instruction will help you navigate public transportation when you visit Germany Image by Thomas Ulrich from PixabayLearn German in a Language SchoolIf you are interested in learning German as a second language, Glasgow is the place to be!Several schools offer courses in German, whether your work in an international company demands it or if you just want to pick up conversational German before your holiday in Berlin.One such organisation is Live Language.They prefer to teach in small groups, no more than 14 people, so that everyone has a chance to participate without feeling pressured or rushed.Each course lasts 12 weeks, with two hours of instruction per week in which they tap into all four language skill areas: reading and writing, listening and speaking.Fortunately, you would not have to endure grammar lessons. In fact, there will be no verb conjugation or repetitive pronunciation drills eating up your class time.These courses are taught communicatively, meaning that the focus is on interaction rather than grammatical competence. Let’s hope you’re prepared to enjoy engaging learning sessions!If you are not sure exactly where you are in your language ability â€" maybe you can say Guten Morgen but Gute Nacht escapes you, you could take a placement test so your teacher can know where best to start with you.It wouldn’t do any good putting yourself in an intermediate class if you are an absolute beginner!You might wonder why you need to learn how to read and write in German if all you want to do is speak and understand the language reasonably well.This is the type of question you should address to your course advisor before choosing a class. Luckily, the people at Live Language are very helpful in that regard.Do German learners in Leeds also rely on Live Language?Language Trainers has chosen their name well: all they do is language and they do it very well.That does not mean that they have a few tired old books that they teach out of; every lesson is targeted to students’ interests and goals.For instance, let’s say you have an opportunity for an internship at Siemens headquarters.Although you have been assured that everyone there speaks English, you wish to show cultural competence by picking up a few German phrases.Each one of your lessons would be targeted to the language and culture of Germany, especially business culture, which can be a bit formal.Furthermore, your discussions might touch upon city-specific events and region-specific dialect, depending on whether you will work out of the Berlin or Munich office.Are German language programs in Belfast equally thorough?Language Trainers has offices throughout the UK and in Ireland (and around the world), so that even if you have to travel on business, you may still catch your weekly German lesson (provided the centre you will guest at agrees).Or you coul d simply arrange for online lessons; then, it wouldn’t matter where in the world you are!Find out where you could take German courses in Cardiff, should you have business there.Are the bratwursts you would eat in Germany very different from the ones you grill at home? Image by andrasgs from PixabayGerman Language Study at the University of GlasgowThis implication this header creates is that it would pertain only to students enroled in a degree German language program.The fact is, while this institute of higher learning does indeed have several degree programmes that include German speaking, not every university course is meant for university students; to wit, their short courses.Find out if universities in London offer similar German language training through a short course format.These language classes follow a progressive structure.Although there are no prerequisites for taking a German course, you must have some knowledge of German, either learned independently or through previ ous formal language studies taken elsewhere.Though you will not earn a certificate for your language training in these short courses, you will gain language proficiency... and that was your goal all along, wasn’t it?Gaining fluency in foreign languages is the work of a lifetime, meaning you must study for your entire life if you wish to master German as a foreign language.Sounds a bit daunting but, if you are consumed with a love of study or are enamoured with the German language, it is really not a punishing task.On the other hand, if you are pursuing German studies simply so you can be communicative as you sail down the Rhine on a cruise, those conversational German lessons will really pay off â€" if only so that you can truly appreciate the richness of German culture.No matter your reasons for learning, you now know where you can find lessons in Glasgow.Where can you find German lessons anywhere in the UK?

Vary Drawing Techniques to Become a Better Artist

Vary Drawing Techniques to Become a Better Artist How Can Learning to Draw with New Techniques Make You a Better Artist? ChaptersCharcoal SketchesGraphite for ContrastColoured Pencils for GradationPen for OriginalityPastels for Gesture DrawingA well-rounded illustrator is one who can employ a wide range of techniques. However, in order to reach this level of mastery, they often have to spend long hours working on their technique.Whether you work with a paintbrush, colored pencils, charcoal, oil pastel, or pen and ink, artists are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing drawing materials!While some prefer to work with oil paints when painting a portrait, others choose colouring pencils.The drawing tools you use are completely up to you.So, are you ink or graphite? Here are some drawing tips for those in the dark about their art kit. FernandoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidDrawing Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/ h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenDrawing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Julia janeDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvelinaDrawing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsCharcoal SketchesIf you’ve just started a drawing course or follow online drawing tutorials, your teacher will have told you about the techniques painters use to prepare for a portrait.Among these common techniques is charcoal drawing. Charcoal is essentially a stick of burnt wood which produces a black colour when used as a pencil.Charcoal was one of man’s first tools used for drawing reality on a flat surface, and is still a popular tool, as it can be used to trace an outline as well as for shading.By experimenting with charcoal, you will see that it helps to create fine details as well as larger ones depending on the way it is used, me aning that you can create striking drawings using just one charcoal pencil.The are many variations of the charcoal pencil, including softer and harder options that lend themselves to different artistic aims.In my drawing lessons, some of my classmates would use harder charcoal to sketch out the first basic shapes on their canvasses before committing to using paint. Learning the basics of drawing may seem tedious, but it is always helpful later on.Charcoal lends itself to realistic drawing as it is useful in sketching the beginnings or portraits as it is a soft material and therefore easy to erase!However, make sure that you don’t use a normal graphite eraser to do this. To erase charcoal, use an art eraser â€" this will help you avoid making tears in the paper or canvas.See different drawing courses London here.Charcoal may be messy, but it's its soft quality that makes it great for blending! ¦ source: Pixabay - pixel2013One of the advantages to using charcoal is that it is far e asier to get a good gradient that with a graphite pencil, as it is easier to blend, and so you don’t need to use other shading techniques such as cross hatching. However, if you want clear, sharp lines as when drawing a caricature, you might prefer graphite.Graphite for ContrastAre you keen to start drawing comic strips or keep a travel journal in pictures?What drawing tools are best for these kinds of projects?The first drawing tool that comes to mind when we think about sketching is the humble graphite pencil.Its silvery-grey quality and soft texture make it perfect for creating depth and a sense of colour within a piece.We all remember that even in nursery school, we were taught how to hold a pencil in our hand and use it to draw pictures, picking up vital drawing skills along the way.The pencil has always been a part of everyday life, but it is often rather underappreciated by those who aren’t interested in drawing. As simple as it may seem, graphite is a fantastic material for drawing, and this is the reason why the humble graphite pencil will always be important to artists all over the world.Even our prehistoric ancestors used graphite to trace pictures on the inside of caves! Today, graphite pencils come in many shapes and sizes.This is how they are categorised:9H to 9B,H stands for ‘hard’B stands for ‘black’ (meaning a softer lead)HB is in-between, so HB pencils are hard and black in equal measureDifferent types of lead lend themselves to different types of drawing, so while you may use a hard pencil for architecture or other technical drawings, you may use a blacker one for portraiture.Find your next drawing class. FernandoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidDrawing Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenDrawing Teac her 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Julia janeDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvelinaDrawing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsColoured Pencils for GradationGetting a new set of colouring pencils is the most exciting part of Christmas for many 5-year-olds, but even if they seem a little infantile as a drawing tool, colouring pencils have an important place in fine art!Of course, the way they are used by artists is a lot different from the way they are used by children, and so in order to get the most from them, you may have to move away from your current idea of them as children’s toys.With a quick google search, you’ll be able to appreciate the quality of the art produced using colouring pencils, and realise what they can help you achieve in your own art.The advantages to drawing with coloured pencils don’t stop at th e fact that they are coloured â€" you can also use them for shading and to create colour gradients. For example, if you’d like to include a red gradient in your drawing, there will be plenty of different shades of red to make this possible.To get started using coloured pencils, get yourself a set of at least 10 crayons â€" even if they’re only the basic ones, as they will help you practice your techniques before you invest in a more expensive set.The world of colored pencils is fascinating - you can even get watercolor ones! ¦ source: Pixabay - StockSnapColoured pencils are a controversial topic in the art world. Why? People disagree about whether using them is drawing or painting.This may seem petty, but let’s dig deeper.The technique used for drawing with a colouring pencil is closer to a painting technique. Of course, there are different techniques you can use, but it is argued that since painting reveals the grain of the paper, as does using coloured pencils, coloured pen cil drawings are, in fact, paintings. On the other hand, the pigment of the pencil can be weak and let a lot of light through to the paper, making it closer to drawing with a graphite pencil.The technique you use to draw is completely up to you, regardless of your view of drawing with colouring pencils!I would advise that if you wish to start drawing with coloured pencils it’s best to start with simple shapes such as an apple, which looks simple, but has a lot of fine details to be drawn.Once you feel comfortable drawing still life, you can begin to develop your own personal drawing style!Pen for OriginalityWe’ve all doodled in the corner of our notebooks at school.Regardless of whether we doodle out of boredom or a passion for doodling, ink is a great drawing material!The doodles in your sketchbook could represent the start of something bigger, especially if you’re considering a career in drawing and painting.There are many professions centred around artistic ability, includi ng illustration, graphic design, architecture, the list goes on!Although pens are usually set aside in art as a writing tool, they can be incredibly helpful to illustrators and artists, with some works even being created using nothing but a biro.These drawings are created by using the loop method.The smaller the loops are, the darker the final picture will be. On the other hand, the larger the loops, the lighter the picture will be.It’s important to bear in mind that learning how to draw a certain object doesn’t come with a rulebook, and doesn’t have to be traditional. Artists should be creative and find the style that expresses their imagination as effectively as possible.Inking with a more traditional type of pen using a metal nib and India ink is a common technique for satirical drawings.Pastels for Gesture DrawingPastels are another thing that aren’t just for kids!Pastel crayons are made from a mixture of powdered colour pigments and a non-greasy binder such as methylcel lulose.Pastels are a versatile drawing tool ¦ source: Pixabay - SKECCIOPastels, like paints and other materials also come in a number of categories. The two most well-known of these are oil pastels and hard pastels. The difference between these two types is that oil pastels are softer and more suited to blending, whereas harder pastels are better for line drawing and creating more detail within a drawing.There is range of techniques that can be used to create different effects with both soft and hard pastels when creating a portrait, landscape or still life drawing:Hatching: This is where lines and strokes are drawn and varying distances alongside and perpendicular to one another. When hatching with pastels of two different colours, optical mixtures can be created.Light touches:  This technique is used to suggest details (the shadows of a face for example), by applying fine lines to highlight and darken certain areas.Glazes: This technique is used to partially cover one colour wit h another. Layering tones puts colours contextualises objects and gives a drawing more harmony. Light colours on dark ones accentuates brightness, whilst dark on top of pale makes for greater depth.Fragmentation and dotting: Bold pastels are used to create images from dots. The final image is born from the accumulation of points and lines, without any blurring or blending. It’s not easy to begin with, so stick to two or three colours and remember to step back and take a look at the rendering.To improve your skills in pastel drawing, try practicing drawing animals which are moving, and try to incorporate their movement into your piece. This doesn’t just include the animal’s movements, but the movement of the grass in the wind, too, for example.The drawing materials you use to create your art and develop your personal artistic style is down to your goals and preferences as an artist.Some materials and techniques will suit you better than others, but keeping an open mind and tryi ng out new methods as you progress will give you the best chance of a fulfilling artistic career.