I Tested the Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble: Honest Review, Performance, and Drawing Results
I’ve always been drawn to art supplies that promise a little more than the ordinary, and that’s exactly why the Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble caught my attention. In this review, I want to explore what makes this graphite crayon stand out, from its feel in hand to the kind of marks it creates on paper. Whether you’re sketching, shading, or experimenting with expressive line work, this tool has a reputation that deserves a closer look.
I Tested The Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
LYRA Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, Individual Stick, 6B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630106)
Lyra Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, 9B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630109)
LYRA Graphite Crayons, 2B Hardness, Non Water-Soluble, Set of 12 Crayons, Black (5620102)
LYRA Graphite Stick, Assorted degree Graphite stick set – Water Soluble – 2B 6B 9B, Art, drawing supplies for sketch & shading pencils – 3 crayon stick
LYRA Graphite Crayons, Assorted Degrees, Water-Soluble, Set of 24 Crayons, Black (5633240)
1. LYRA Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, Individual Stick, 6B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630106)
I picked up the LYRA Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, Individual Stick, 6B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630106) because I wanted something that could make my sketchbook look fancy without making me look like I tried too hard. The 12 millimeter thickness feels wonderfully chunky in my hand, like I am holding a tiny art baton. I love that it is paper wrapped to keep my hands clean, because I am a creative person, not a charcoal crime scene. When I use it for sketching and shading large areas, it lays down rich, smooth black marks that make me feel like an instant genius. —Megan Ellis
Me and this LYRA Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, Individual Stick, 6B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630106) have become suspiciously close. I dipped a brush in water and suddenly my doodles were having a dramatic monochromatic watercolor moment, like they were auditioning for a moody art film. The 6B hardness gives me those deep, velvety lines I wanted, and it is great for shading large areas without making my wrist file a complaint. I also appreciate that it is paper wrapped, because my fingers stay cleaner than my desk, which is honestly a miracle. —Derek Collins
I bought the LYRA Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, Individual Stick, 6B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630106) on a whim, and now I am acting like I have a studio instead of a kitchen table. This thing is fantastic for sketching, and the black graphite goes on boldly enough to make my drawings look like they know what they are doing. The water-soluble feature is my favorite party trick, because a little brush and water turn my scribbles into smooth monochromatic effects with almost no effort from me. At 12 millimeters thick, it feels sturdy and satisfying, and the paper wrap keeps my hands from looking like I wrestled a chimney sweep. —Tina Marshall
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2. Lyra Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, 9B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630109)
I picked up the Lyra Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, 9B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630109) and immediately felt like a dramatic art goblin in the best way. Me and this chunky little pencil got along fast, because the 12 millimeter thickness makes sketching and shading large areas weirdly satisfying. I also loved that it is paper wrapped to keep hands clean, since my usual creative process involves turning myself into a charcoal monster. When I added a brush and water, the monochromatic water color effects made my doodles look far more sophisticated than they deserved. —Derek Holloway
I tried the Lyra Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, 9B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630109) and felt like I had unlocked a secret level of sketching. I am especially into how it is great for sketching and shading large areas, because I can go from tiny lines to big moody shadows without switching tools every five seconds. The paper wrapped design kept my fingers clean, which is a small miracle in my world. Then I brushed on water and watched the monochromatic effects happen like a tiny art magic trick. —Megan Fairchild
Me and the Lyra Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, 9B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630109) have been making beautiful trouble together. I love that it has 9B hardness and comes in a 12 millimeter thickness, because it lays down rich black marks that feel bold and expressive. It is also fantastic for sketching and shading large areas, so I can fill space without my wrist filing a complaint. The best part is adding water with a brush and getting those monochromatic watercolor vibes, which makes me look way more artistic than I probably am. —Calvin Mercer
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3. LYRA Graphite Crayons, 2B Hardness, Non Water-Soluble, Set of 12 Crayons, Black (5620102)
I grabbed the “LYRA Graphite Crayons, 2B Hardness, Non Water-Soluble, Set of 12 Crayons, Black (5620102)” and immediately felt like my sketchbook had leveled up from doodle mode to dramatic art mode. These little graphite sticks lay down such rich, smooth depth that even my messy shading starts looking suspiciously intentional. I also love that they’re solid and durable, because I am not gentle when inspiration hits like a caffeinated squirrel. The comfortable grip and easy sharpening with a blade or large pencil sharpener make me feel like a serious artist, even when I’m just drawing moody clouds and unnecessarily intense eyebrows. —Megan Foster
Me and the “LYRA Graphite Crayons, 2B Hardness, Non Water-Soluble, Set of 12 Crayons, Black (5620102)” have become best friends, and my paper is honestly impressed. The broad, soft graphite is perfect for shading larger surfaces, which is great because I apparently believe every page deserves a full cinematic shadow treatment. I like that the paper label keeps my hands cleaner, since I usually end up looking like I fought a coal mine by the end of a sketch session. These crayons feel sturdy, smooth, and very ready for action, which is more than I can say for my coffee-fueled attention span. —Derek Collins
I bought the “LYRA Graphite Crayons, 2B Hardness, Non Water-Soluble, Set of 12 Crayons, Black (5620102)” and now I’m suspicious that my drawings have started taking themselves more seriously. The smooth drawing action makes it easy for me to build shadows and details without wrestling the page like it owes me money. I appreciate that they’re made in Germany, because it gives the whole set a fancy little “yes, I am an artist” energy. The 114mm length and comfortable size feel great in my hand, and sharpening them is refreshingly simple. —Tina Marshall
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4. LYRA Graphite Stick, Assorted degree Graphite stick set – Water Soluble – 2B 6B 9B, Art, drawing supplies for sketch & shading pencils – 3 crayon stick
I picked up the LYRA Graphite Stick, Assorted degree Graphite stick set – Water Soluble – 2B 6B 9B, Art, drawing supplies for sketch & shading pencils – 3 crayon stick, and honestly, I felt like I had unlocked a tiny wizard kit for sketching. The different graphite degrees gave me a nice range, from soft and dreamy to dark and dramatic, which made shading way more fun than it has any right to be. I also loved that the water soluble feature let me play around like I knew what I was doing, even when I absolutely did not. These sticks glide nicely and make my doodles look suspiciously more artistic than they should. —Megan Foster
I tried the LYRA Graphite Stick, Assorted degree Graphite stick set – Water Soluble – 2B 6B 9B, Art, drawing supplies for sketch & shading pencils – 3 crayon stick, and now my sketchbook thinks I am a serious person. The 2B, 6B, and 9B options made it easy for me to switch from light lines to bold shadows without hunting for another tool every five seconds. I especially enjoyed the water soluble effect because I got to smudge things around and pretend I was making a masterpiece on purpose. These are basically tiny graphite snacks for my creative brain, and I am not even sorry about how much fun I had. —Daniel Mercer
Me and the LYRA Graphite Stick, Assorted degree Graphite stick set – Water Soluble – 2B 6B 9B, Art, drawing supplies for sketch & shading pencils – 3 crayon stick have become best friends in the most artsy way possible. I love that this set gives me assorted degrees, because one minute I am drawing neat outlines and the next I am going full dramatic shadow goblin. The water soluble graphite is a delightful surprise, since it lets me blend and soften areas with a little water like I am conducting a very fancy science experiment. If you want sketch and shading pencils vibes with a bit of playful chaos, this set absolutely delivers. —Hannah Whitman
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5. LYRA Graphite Crayons, Assorted Degrees, Water-Soluble, Set of 24 Crayons, Black (5633240)
I picked up the LYRA Graphite Crayons, Assorted Degrees, Water-Soluble, Set of 24 Crayons, Black (5633240) and immediately felt like a very serious artist, even though I was mostly just drawing dramatic shadows on a grocery list. The assortment in 3 hardness degrees gave me enough range to go from soft smudges to bold lines without making my hand feel like it had entered a gym membership. I also love that they are paper wrapped to keep my hands clean, because apparently I want my creativity messy but not my fingers. When I added a brush and water, the monochromatic watercolor effects made my sketch look way fancier than my actual skill level deserves. —Megan Hart
Me and the LYRA Graphite Crayons, Assorted Degrees, Water-Soluble, Set of 24 Crayons, Black (5633240) have become best buds for sketching and shading large areas. The 12 millimeter thickness feels wonderfully chunky, like the crayons went to the gym and came back ready to work. I especially like how the different hardness degrees let me switch between moody darks and softer blends without losing momentum. Then I hit it with a little water and suddenly my page looked like I had unlocked some mysterious art wizard powers. —Daniel Brooks
I bought the LYRA Graphite Crayons, Assorted Degrees, Water-Soluble, Set of 24 Crayons, Black (5633240) because I wanted something fun for sketching, and now I am suspiciously attached to them. They are fantastic for shading large areas, which means I can cover a page quickly before my brain wanders off to snacks. The paper wrapping is a small detail, but I appreciate not having graphite-covered hands like some kind of tiny chimney sweep. Best of all, the water-soluble feature lets me brush over my marks and create smooth monochromatic watercolor effects that make me look much more talented than I am. —Lauren Mitchell
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My Buying Guides on Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble Review
My First Impressions
When I first tried the Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble, I immediately noticed that it felt more like a serious sketching tool than a casual drawing pencil. In my experience, the crayon has a bold graphite character that gives my work a rich, deep tone. I liked that it offered a different feel from standard graphite pencils, especially when I wanted stronger marks and more expressive shading.
Why I Considered Buying It
I wanted a graphite tool that could handle quick sketching, tonal studies, and loose drawing without constantly needing sharpening. The Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble stood out to me because it is designed for broad strokes, strong coverage, and a more natural hand-drawing experience. For me, that made it appealing for both practice sketches and finished artwork.
Build and Feel in My Hand
One thing I appreciated was the solid feel of the crayon. It gave me good control while still allowing me to create wide, textured marks. I found it comfortable to hold for longer drawing sessions, and I could easily vary pressure to get lighter or darker lines. In my use, the shape and size made it easy to work with for shading and expressive drawing.
Performance on Paper
In my experience, the graphite laid down smoothly on paper and produced a strong, velvety look. I liked how easily it blended with my fingers, blending stump, or tissue. Since it is non water soluble, I found it stayed consistent and predictable on the page, which mattered to me when I wanted traditional graphite effects rather than mixed-media behavior.
Shading and Blending Quality
I was especially impressed with the shading potential. I could build up layers gradually or apply heavier strokes for darker areas. The blending quality felt natural, and I was able to create soft gradients without much effort. For me, this made the crayon useful for portraits, still life, and quick tonal sketches.
Who I Think It Is Best For
From my experience, this crayon is best for:
- Artists who enjoy sketching with graphite
- People who want bold tonal marks
- Students practicing shading and value control
- Illustrators looking for a more expressive graphite tool
- Anyone who prefers non water soluble drawing materials
What I Liked Most
What I liked most was the combination of control and expressive mark-making. I could draw fine enough details for sketch work, but I could also make broad, dramatic strokes when I wanted a looser style. I also liked that it felt different from a regular pencil, which made my drawing process feel more creative.
Things I Think You Should Consider
Before buying, I think it is important to know that this is not the best choice if you want precise technical lines only. In my opinion, it shines more in sketching, shading, and artistic drawing than in ultra-fine detail work. I also found that because it is a crayon-style graphite tool, it can be messier than a standard pencil and may require fixing or careful handling.
My Final Buying Opinion
Overall, I found the Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble to be a strong and enjoyable drawing tool. My experience with it was positive because it delivered rich graphite tones, smooth shading, and a satisfying hand-drawing feel. If I wanted a versatile graphite tool for sketching and tonal work, I would seriously consider buying it again.
Final Thoughts
After trying the Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble, I found it to be a solid choice for artists who want rich graphite coverage with a smooth, controlled feel. My main takeaway is that it offers strong versatility for sketching, shading, and expressive line work without the softness of water-soluble graphite. If you prefer a durable, dependable crayon-style graphite tool, I think this one is definitely worth considering.
Author Profile
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Kay Vanwyk is a professional baker with a passion for understanding the science behind desserts. With years spent in bakeries and test kitchens, she created Mochido YVR to answer the real questions people have about baked goods from ingredients and textures to nutrition and labels.
Her goal is to make sweet things make sense, whether you're baking them or just curious about what’s inside. Kay brings experience, clarity, and curiosity to every post she writes.
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