Which pencil type would you use for the darkest shading?

The 10B pencil is designed to produce the darkest shades because it is made with a higher proportion of graphite compared to clay, which allows for a softer lead. Softer leads, designated by the letter "B," create deeper, richer lines and are capable of producing a wide range of dark values when applied with varying pressure.

In contrast, pencils like the 10H, which is graded for hardness, have a much firmer lead that produces lighter marks and is better suited for fine lines and lighter shading rather than dark tones. The HB pencil, being a middle ground between hard and soft, provides a balanced shading but does not achieve the same depth of darkness as a 10B. The 2B pencil, while also softer than HB and capable of some darkness, does not reach the same level of darkness that a 10B can produce due to its relatively harder composition compared to the 10B. Therefore, when aiming for the darkest shading, the use of a 10B pencil is the most appropriate choice.