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The Secret Life of the Pencil looks at relationship between world's leading creatives and their humble tools

Most of us will remember those chewed up pencils we used to scribble with at school. Others will have fond memories of the small IKEA kind, found months later in a coat pocket. And some can perhaps cast their minds back to smoke-filled bookmakers, where the pencil was king.

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All images courtesy of Laurence King. Main image credit: Mike Tinney

All images courtesy of Laurence King. Main image credit: Mike Tinney

In a fascinating new book, The Secret Life of the Pencil, designer Alex Hammond and photographer Mike Tinney examine the relationship between some of the world’s leading creatives and this humble tool, through a series of captivating close-up photographs, sketches, quotes and interviews. Published by Laurence King, it presents the pencils of over 70 acclaimed artists, designers, writers, architects and musicians.

From Stephen Fry and Tracey Emin’s modest wooden pencils to James Dyson’s slickly designed mechanical gadget, Dave Eggers’ labyrinthine nibbed tool and Paul Smith’s jewel-like object worth £3,000, each weird and wonderful pencil featured in the book becomes an accurate portrait of its owner, demonstrating that in the digital age the pencil is no longer just a simple work tool, but a much-loved totem of creativity. Visit laurenceking.com for more information, and to buy the book.

Open spread from The Secret Life of the Pencil showing a quote on the left page and a close-up photograph of a sharpened pencil against a yellow background on the right page
Open book showing The Secret Life of the Pencil with green page featuring stacked pencil sections on left and black page with architectural pencil drawing on right
Sharpened pencil with cork texture and decorative black and yellow patterned band near the tip, set against a bright yellow background
Collection of white pencils and drawing implements arranged in a radiating pattern against a dark grey background
Two open pages from The Secret Life of the Pencil book showing a wrapped pencil with white cord on the left and a Barbie-patterned pencil on the right
Open book showing a quote about simple wooden pencils alongside a photograph of a wooden pencil with metal ferrule against black background
Sharpened pencil with contrasting dark and light wood grain shown against a plain background in close-up
Doraemon character figurine with blue head, white face, red nose and brown paws sitting atop a blue pencil against a bright blue background
Open spread from The Secret Life of the Pencil showing a cone-shaped metallic pencil with a pink striped base against a vibrant magenta background, alongside a page with inspirational text about pencils and shading
Open book spread showing text on left page and line drawings of pencil sketches and figure studies on right page
Yellow pencil with black angular marks and a silver ferrule against a dark background
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