After a long break, I came back to da and realised I'd never answered a forum post you put up... >.< I typed up an answer to realise that the forum was closed and I couldn't post it! So I hope you don't mind this piece of spam, but this is what I was going to say to you

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Waaah, left this comment so long without a reply... *hits self in head*

By now you've probably figured everything out on your own anyway. I'd generally recommend a HB for most sketches, or if you've got a really good idea of what you want to draw, a 2H creates a lighter line that won't show through in your final work as much (but consequently, is harder to erase or alter than HB by a little). Then I'd recommend using the rest of the B range to work in your tones and shadows.

You'll figure out how you like to do it as you go along I can't think of any particularly good books off the top of my head: most books that are a general drawing course have a blurb at the start about different mediums to work with, and you can learn a lot from them. The only ones I've read that do come to mind atm would be anything by Barrington Barber. I've got several books by this author/artist and they're all worth the time (even though looking at the work they've done can be a touch intimidating/jealousy-inducing )

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Eh, useless info, but anyway... *sneaks off again*

Hey, I was wondering... would you mind if I uploaded that piece of art I did for your birthday last year on here?

hey hon i am so sorry to hear about Jareth i know how much that hurts i am so sorry that your november sucked so much i hope things get better from here on out. i have to say i been worried about you as i haven't heard from you for awhile i hope that i hear from you soon
ChereHatter

I thought that it might interest you to learn that I finally finished Why Waist Length?.

I'm a little sad, actually. xD I didn't want it to end.