If you like sketching and haven't tried watercolor pencils, you must definitely give them a chance! This particular one from Faber Castell is by far the best and stands out in its category, as many companies produce something similar. As a graphite artist for 32+ years, I have literally tried everything, especially when it comes to pencils and graphite, and this one is my favorite for many reasons. The sketches and drawings not only soar but literally transcend to another dimension! - Features:
They have the best tonal gradation compared to any other pencil I have tried! Of course, you can also use them as regular pencils without using water and a brush. I would recommend using the right paper for these pencils (Arches Grain Satine Hot Press, which is widely known as the best paper for graphite! It not only makes everything look more beautiful but also has a bunch of other advantages). Also, use a good brush (Da Vinci NOVA 1570) or an even better one depending on the budget you can allocate.
I consider them the best pencils in the world and the only ones that don't fall short in anything (e.g., tonality, precision, tip durability, pencil thickness, comfort, etc.). - Suggestions:
Start with 2-3, or at least 1, to try them out because if you are a beginner, you may not realize what tool you have in your hands and may not make the most of it. However, if you are already experienced in sketching, I would recommend at least the first 3 (HB, 4B, and 8B) to have a balanced tonal selection.
They are definitely the most versatile pencils to use because you can use them without water, just like a regular writing pencil, for sketching, drawing, but also as watercolor pencils for sketching or even as we use watercolors! In other words, you can smudge them in one spot on a plastic surface and use the graphite like watercolors. For example, wet the brush and use the graphite you rubbed on the plastic (probably also works on glassine paper)! The classic use is to sketch or paint first and then go over the points you have drawn on the paper with a damp brush. The amount of water the brush should have depends on the type of brush and what you want to do on the paper. It is easy to learn how to handle them because their use is simpler than it sounds and it is MUCH easier than watercolors.
Have fun!