As a beginner trying to improve my sketching skills I notice there are many HB pencil brands and options available everywhere. Which HB pencil is actually considered best for sketching and what qualities make it suitable for drawing and shading?

As an art teacher I recommend beginners get a small set (like HB 2B 4B 6B) rather than obsessing over one HB. That said for the HB itself I hand out Staedtler Mars Lumograph to my students. They're workhorses—predictable erasable and they hold a point well. The Faber-Castell 9000s are a tiny bit smoother but some find them almost too smooth for initial construction lines.

The paper matters as much as the pencil! A textured paper (medium tooth) will give you more control and better shading than slick printer paper. For sketching you want a pencil that allows you to build value gradually. The HB should lay down a light clean line that you can darken with a softer pencil (like a 2B or 4B) for shadows. Don't press too hard with the HB; let the pencil grade do the work. Try a few single pencils from different brands on the same paper to feel the difference. It's a subtle thing but you'll find your favorite.

For sketching the "best" HB pencil is often a matter of personal preference but certain brands are consistently praised by artists for their quality and consistency. The HB grade is the middle of the scale—not too hard (H) and not too soft (B). It's great for initial outlines and light shading. Top contenders:

1) Faber-Castell 9000 Series: A gold standard. They have excellent consistency smooth application and strong non-breaking leads. The wood is high-quality and sharpens well. Many artists start with these.
2) Staedtler Mars Lumograph: Another professional favorite. They have a slightly different feel—very smooth with minimal grit and are known for being break-resistant and erasable.
3) Derwent Graphic: British-made reliable and smooth. They offer a wide range of grades and are very popular.
4) Caran d'Ache Grafwood: Swiss luxury pencils. Incredibly smooth and durable but more expensive. For a beginner Faber-Castell or Staedtler are perfect.

Qualities that make an HB good for sketching: a) Smoothness: Should glide on paper without scratching. b) Consistency: The lead should be uniform throughout the pencil and across different pencils of the same grade. c) Strength: Shouldn't break easily under pressure. d) Erasability: Should erase cleanly without smudging excessively. e) Wood Quality: Should sharpen to a fine point without splintering. Pair your pencil with good paper (like Strathmore or Canson) for best results. The Pencil Society has great reviews and comparisons.