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I usually use a Zebra M-402 mechanical pencil to draw, loaded with HB lead. Charcoals are also a little outside my meager skills at the moment, I get them everywhere but where I want them. Pencil I can get to where I want it to be. My Grandmother on my Father's side, as well as my Grandfather, did watercolors and charcoals. My Grandfather also did oil colors and pastels.
I only inherited enough skill to work with pencil, but I try to work with the other stuff.

The NEA controls the local art scene, so I am pretty much screwed in that respect. Everyone that looks at the art around here is from the pseudo-intellectual crowd that has bought the NEA dogma hook line and sinker. So, any type of drawing that has form, content, and beauty is called 'non-art' by the NEA.
I'm in agreement with you on the NEA. Wish they'd get lost.
Or artists could start up a rival group.

Pencil has the same effect of being able to "smudge" for shadow and dimension, doesn't it? Well, soft lead pencils, anyhow. I admire your ability. You should see me over here trying to dry my little misty figures with my finger on the mouse pad! :)