In celebration of the Palomino Blackwing 602 being released this month, we are excited to announce a unique contest that that celebrates both the similarities and differences in our two Blackwing pencils. The Palomino Blackwing, released in October 2010, has a soft, dark lead that is perfect for sketching and drawing. The upcoming Palomino Blackwing 602 is a bit firmer, but just as smooth. It’s a tool that writers might find preferable to its older sibling.

This month’s contest has two parts. If you’re an illustrator, you can submit your original drawings using the original Palomino Blackwing (need some? Find them here!). If you’re more of a wordsmith (like me), submit your original creative writing written with the Palomino Blackwing 602 (Available June 9th!) Got words rolling around in your head? Write it down, scan it and send it in! A poem? Check. Short story? Check. Haiku? Check. Limerick? Well, sure. Check.

Because our contest is in two parts, it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t award two prizes! The best illustration will win a dozen Palomino Blackwings and KUM sharpener. The winning writer will win a dozen 602’s and a KUM sharpener.

Submit a high-resolution scan to contests@pencils.com along with name, address, and phone number anytime between now and Monday, June 27. Winners will be announced in the July newsletter!

Some official rules:• JPEG, PDF, PNG, or TIFF files (under 20MB) are accepted.• Entries will only be accepted from 6/1-6/27.• Multiple entries are fine but each must be unique.• Pencils.com reserves the right to use your submission but we promise to give you attribution: name, link, and where appropriate, a short artist bio.• Each entry must include your name, email address, mailing address and phone number.