Blackwing Volume 143 – Single

Looking inward is a defining theme of Frida Kahlo’s work. Through her celebrated self-portraits, she explored identity, pain, and passion using bold, vibrant colours to express her inner world. Her work honoured Mexican and indigenous cultures while offering an unflinching examination of physical pain, emotional struggle, and the women’s experience.

Volume 143 is a tribute to Frida Kahlo. Each pencil features soft graphite and a floral design inspired by Frida’s iconic imagery. The model number 143 is a nod to the 143 paintings commonly attributed to her over the course of her life.

Graphite: Soft.  Released August 2026.

Click here to learn about the Blackwing brand and the differences between each variety.

In 2015 Blackwing introduced the Volumes series, a limited edition pencil released each quarter celebrating the people, places and events that have defined our creative culture. Blackwing have paid tribute to everything from John Steinbeck’s writing ritual to Ada Lovelace’s contribution to computer science. A summary of Blackwing Volumes are presented here.

Note that Blackwing pencils are longer than most pencils, at around 20cm.  Blackwing is an American brand under Palomino.  The pencils are made with Japanese graphite and Californian cedar.