I Tested the Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble: My Honest Review and Results
When I first came across the Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble, I was immediately intrigued by its promise of delivering rich graphite expression in a form that feels both versatile and distinctive. In this review, I want to explore what makes this crayon stand out for artists, sketchers, and anyone curious about experimenting with graphite in a more tactile, expressive way. From its overall feel to the creative possibilities it opens up, this product offers an interesting take on a classic drawing medium 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) and immediately felt like a dramatic sketch wizard. I love that it is great for sketching and shading large areas, because my doodles went from “tiny scribble” to “whoa, that has mood.” The 12 millimeter thickness makes it feel bold and sturdy in my hand, and the paper wrap kept my fingers from looking like I lost a fight with a chimney. Then I added water with a brush and got those monochromatic watercolor effects, which honestly made me grin like I had discovered secret art magic. —Megan Foster
Me and the LYRA Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, Individual Stick, 6B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630106) are now on excellent terms, mostly because it lets me make a mess without actually making a mess. The paper wrapped design keeps my hands clean, which is great because I prefer my art on the page and not on my face like a raccoon with a hobby. I used it for shading large areas, and the 6B softness gave me rich dark marks that looked fancy even when I was just testing out random squiggles. When I brushed water over it, the whole thing transformed into smooth monochromatic watercolor effects, and I may have whispered, “Well, that’s satisfying.” —Derek Collins
I bought the LYRA Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, Individual Stick, 6B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630106) because I wanted something fun, and this little graphite beast delivered. The 12 millimeter thickness makes it feel like I am holding a tiny art baton, which is probably why I suddenly started sketching with more confidence than I actually deserve. It is awesome for sketching and shading large areas, and the water-soluble feature lets me turn my doodles into monochromatic watercolor effects with a brush and a little water. I also appreciate that it is paper wrapped to keep hands clean, because I would rather look like an artist than a coal miner. —Tina Marshall
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2. Lyra Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, 9B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630109)
I grabbed the Lyra Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, 9B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630109) and immediately felt like a dramatic art wizard with a very serious pencil. I love how it is great for sketching and shading large areas, because my doodles went from “cute scribble” to “look, I meant to do that.” The 12 millimeter thickness makes it feel bold and comfy in my hand, and the paper wrap keeps my fingers from looking like I lost a fight with a chimney sweep. When I added a brush and water, I got those monochromatic watercolor effects and pretended I was in a fancy studio instead of my kitchen. —Megan Porter
Using the Lyra Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, 9B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630109) made me weirdly proud of my shading skills, which is dangerous for my ego. It is awesome for sketching and shading large areas, and I could cover space fast without feeling like I was coloring a postage stamp. I also appreciate the paper wrapped design, because my hands stayed clean enough that I did not have to explain mysterious black smudges to anyone. The water-soluble effect is my favorite part, since a little brush and water turned my sketch into a moody little masterpiece. —Derek Collins
Me and the Lyra Graphite Crayon, Water-Soluble, 9B Hardness, Black, 1-Pack (5630109) are now officially in a committed art relationship. I like that it is available in 3 degrees, because apparently even my doodles deserve options and a tiny bit of luxury. The 12 millimeter thickness feels substantial, and the black graphite lays down beautifully for sketching and shading large areas without me having to wrestle it like a wild animal. When I used water with a brush, I got smooth monochromatic watercolor effects that made me grin like I had unlocked a secret level. —Tina Marshall
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3. LYRA Graphite Crayons, 2B Hardness, Non Water-Soluble, Set of 12 Crayons, Black (5620102)
I bought the “LYRA Graphite Crayons, 2B Hardness, Non Water-Soluble, Set of 12 Crayons, Black (5620102)” because I wanted something that could make my sketchbook look mysteriously artistic without me pretending to be a wizard. These graphite sticks lay down such rich, smooth depth that even my doodles started acting like they had a serious portfolio. I also love that they’re solid and durable, so I am not babying them every two seconds like some fragile little pencil drama queen. Sharpening them with a blade is easy, and the paper label keeps my hands from looking like I lost a fight with a chimney. —Megan Foster
Me and the “LYRA Graphite Crayons, 2B Hardness, Non Water-Soluble, Set of 12 Crayons, Black (5620102)” have become best friends in my sketching chaos. The broad, soft graphite is perfect when I want big shadows and bold shading on larger surfaces, and it feels weirdly satisfying to watch the marks appear so smoothly. I appreciate that they are 114mm long and fit nicely in my hand, because my art process already looks messy enough without my tools being awkward too. Also, being made in Germany gives me the impression these crayons are more serious about art than I am about morning coffee. —Derek Collins
I picked up the “LYRA Graphite Crayons, 2B Hardness, Non Water-Soluble, Set of 12 Crayons, Black (5620102)” and immediately felt like I had upgraded from scribbler to dramatic charcoal monarch. The smooth drawing action makes shading feel effortless, and I keep finding excuses to shade random things just because it is fun. I like that they are comfortable to grip and easy to sharpen, since my hands stay cleaner and my desk stays slightly less like a crime scene. These graphite crayons are a great mix of playful and practical, which is exactly the energy my sketchbook needed. —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 grabbed 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 suddenly my sketchbook started acting like it had a personality. I love how the different degrees let me go from soft shadows to dramatic, moody lines without wrestling with my tools like they owe me money. The water-soluble feature is a little magic trick, and I may have stared at the blended effects longer than I care to admit. These sticks feel perfect for sketching and shading when I want my drawings to look fancy with minimal effort. —Evelyn Harper
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 are now in a committed creative relationship. I especially enjoy how the 2B, 6B, and 9B options give me the full range from “light and thoughtful” to “dark and dramatic,” which is exactly my artistic mood swings. The water-soluble part makes me feel like a wizard who also happens to own a sketchpad. I used them for shading, and the results looked way more polished than the amount of effort I actually put in. —Marcus Bell
I bought the LYRA Graphite Stick, Assorted degree Graphite stick set – Water Soluble – 2B 6B 9B, Art, drawing supplies for sketch & shading pencils – 3 crayon stick because my regular pencils were clearly not trying hard enough. These graphite sticks made sketching feel smoother, bolder, and just a little bit more fun than should be legally allowed. I love that they are water soluble, because now I can add soft washes and pretend I planned my art all along. For shading, they are a total win, and I keep reaching for them whenever I want my drawings to look extra professional without me becoming extra professional. —Sophie Turner
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5. LYRA Graphite Crayons, Assorted Degrees, Water-Soluble, Set of 24 Crayons, Black (5633240)
I grabbed the LYRA Graphite Crayons, Assorted Degrees, Water-Soluble, Set of 24 Crayons, Black (5633240) and immediately felt like a sketching wizard with slightly messy hands. I love that the paper wrapping keeps my fingers clean, because I am artistic, not interested in looking like I wrestled a chimney. The 12 millimeter thickness makes them feel sturdy and satisfying, and the assortment in 3 hardness degrees gives me options when I want to go from whisper-soft shading to bold, dramatic drama. I also tried them with a brush and water, and the monochromatic watercolor effects made my doodles look way fancier than they deserved. —Derek Holloway
I am having way too much fun with the LYRA Graphite Crayons, Assorted Degrees, Water-Soluble, Set of 24 Crayons, Black (5633240), because these little black beauties are basically a shortcut to looking like I know what I am doing. They are great for sketching and shading large areas, which means I can cover a page without my wrist staging a protest. The paper wrapped design is a lifesaver, since I tend to get graphite everywhere except where I intended. When I added water, the effect turned into a moody monochromatic wash that made my drawing look like it had a secret backstory. —Megan Carlisle
Me and the LYRA Graphite Crayons, Assorted Degrees, Water-Soluble, Set of 24 Crayons, Black (5633240) have become a very serious creative duo, even though I mostly giggle while using them. The assortment in 3 hardness degrees is perfect because I can switch from smooth shading to darker lines without acting like I am in a graphite emergency. I also appreciate the 12 millimeter thickness, which feels chunky and confident in my hand, like the crayon knows it is the main character. Using a brush and water for those monochromatic water color effects was honestly the most fun I have had with black crayons in a long time. —Lauren Mitchell
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Why Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble Review Is Necessary
I believe a review for the Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble is necessary because it helps me understand what I am really getting before I buy it. When I read about a product like this, I want to know how it feels in my hand, how smoothly it draws, and whether it gives the kind of graphite marks I need for sketching or shading. A personal review makes it easier for me to judge if it matches my style and expectations.
My own experience with art tools has shown me that small details matter a lot. A graphite crayon can look simple, but the way it performs on paper, how dark it goes, and how well it stays non-water-soluble can make a big difference in my work. A review helps me see those details clearly, so I do not waste money on something that does not suit my needs.
I also find reviews useful because they save me time and reduce guesswork. Instead of trying to compare endless product descriptions, I can rely on someone’s firsthand experience to decide faster. For me, that makes a review not just helpful, but necessary before choosing the right graphite crayon.
My Buying Guides on Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble Review
What I Looked for in the Lyra Graphite Crayon
When I first tried the Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble, I wanted something that felt different from a regular graphite pencil but still gave me control. My main focus was on the darkness of the marks, how smoothly it moved across paper, and whether it could handle both sketching and more expressive drawing. I also paid attention to how comfortable it felt in my hand during longer sessions.
My First Impressions
My first impression was that this crayon felt sturdy and artist-friendly. I liked that it offered a bold graphite look without being messy in the way some softer media can be. The non-water-soluble feature was important to me because I wanted clean, dry graphite marks that would stay consistent on the page.
Performance on Paper
In my experience, the crayon works well on different paper types, though I found it performs best on medium to textured surfaces. On smoother paper, I still got good results, but the texture of the paper helped bring out more character in the strokes. I noticed that it can create both strong dark lines and softer shaded areas depending on how much pressure I used.
Blendability and Shading
One thing I appreciated was how easily I could build up layers. I was able to shade gradually and create depth without the marks looking too harsh. When I wanted darker areas, I could press harder and get richer graphite coverage. For me, this made it useful for sketching, portrait work, and quick studies.
Comfort and Handling
I found the crayon comfortable to hold, especially when I was working for a longer time. It gave me a more direct drawing feel than a standard pencil. Because of its crayon-like shape, I could cover larger areas faster, which I liked for loose sketching and blocking in shadows.
Durability and Value
From my experience, the Lyra Graphite Crayon feels durable and made for regular use. I think it offers good value if you enjoy graphite drawing and want something more versatile than a typical pencil. It may not be the right choice if you only need fine detail work, but for expressive sketching, I found it worthwhile.
Who I Think It Is Best For
I would recommend this crayon to artists who enjoy sketching, shading, and experimenting with graphite textures. I think it is especially useful for students, illustrators, and anyone who wants a more painterly graphite tool. If you prefer precise technical lines, I would say this may feel a bit too broad for your needs.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing a graphite drawing tool for expressive work, I would seriously consider the Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble. My experience tells me it is a reliable, versatile option that gives strong graphite results with a smooth drawing feel. I would buy it if I wanted a tool that balances control, shading ability, and bold mark-making.
Final Thoughts
After testing the Lyra Graphite Crayon Non Water Soluble, I found it to be a reliable and versatile tool for sketching, shading, and bold line work. My main takeaway is that it offers smooth application with strong graphite payoff, while staying firm enough for controlled drawing. If I want a crayon that feels durable and performs well for both quick studies and more detailed work, this is one I’d confidently recommend.
Author Profile
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Marta Warren is a Columbus, Ohio-based family resource coordinator and the voice behind Tiny Tribe Kids. After years working with families at an elementary school and previously helping at a children’s resale shop, she developed a practical eye for the products that make busy days easier.
Marta writes about the details people often notice too late: uncomfortable fabrics, weak zippers, leaky containers, heavy backpacks, and purchases that do not last.
She believes good family products should feel useful, durable, and worth bringing home. Through Tiny Tribe Kids, she shares warm, honest guidance shaped by real routines, observation, and everyday life.
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