Charcoal “Day in the Life”
Beginner’s Guide: How to Draw with Charcoal
As a charcoal artist (which has easily become my favorite medium since beginning in 2020), I am asked “How do you use it?” Well, here are some quick beginner steps to this medium.
Materials You’ll Need
Charcoal: Choose between willow and compressed charcoal. Willow charcoal is soft and easily smudged, while compressed charcoal provides deeper blacks and more control.
Paper: Opt for heavyweight paper with a textured surface that can grip the charcoal. Smooth paper can also work but may require different techniques.
Drawing Board: A sturdy surface to support your paper and prevent smudging.
Blending Tools: Such as blending stumps, tortillons, or even tissues for softening and blending charcoal.
Eraser: A kneaded eraser for lifting charcoal and creating highlights.
Getting Started
Setting Up: Secure your paper on the drawing board or draw straight onto the drawing pad. Organize your charcoal pencils and blending tools within reach.
Understanding Charcoal: Experiment with different pressures to achieve light and dark marks. Willow charcoal is excellent for initial sketching, while compressed charcoal is ideal for adding depth.
Basic Techniques:
Hatching and Cross-Hatching: Create lines or crisscrossed lines to build up tones and textures.
Blending: Use blending tools such as tortillons, blending stumps and paint brushes (yes, I said paint brushes) to smudge and soften charcoal for smoother transitions.
Highlighting: Lift charcoal with a kneaded eraser to create highlights or add details.
Precision Highlights: I get these with a MonoZero Eraser, a precision eraser.
Steps to Draw with Charcoal
Sketching: Start with light, loose sketches to outline your subject. Use light pressure for these initial marks as it’s easier to erase and adjust.
Blocking In: Begin blocking in the major shapes and shadows with a slightly darker charcoal. Focus on capturing the main tonal values and proportions. Another option is to measure it out using the sighting method (my personal favorite).
Building Tones: Gradually build up the darker tones and textures using compressed charcoal. Use varying pressures and blending techniques to achieve smooth transitions and rich contrasts.
Refining Details: Use a kneaded eraser to lift charcoal where highlights or finer details are needed. Pay attention to light sources and reflections. To view the shading scale more accurately: For near-sighted people, simply remove your glasses and get closer to the image until you can see enough to view where the highlights are; for far-sighted people, you may get closer until the image blurs just enough you can see light plains; for “good” sighted people, simply squint your eyes until the image you are trying to replicate becomes blurred.
Finishing Touches: Step back periodically to assess your drawing. Make any necessary adjustments to balance the composition and refine edges.
Tips for Success
Experiment: Charcoal is versatile—explore different techniques and textures to find what suits your style.
Practice Patience: Building up layers and tones takes time. Don’t rush the process; enjoy each stage of your drawing.
Protect Your Work: Use fixative spray to preserve your finished drawing and prevent smudging.
Conclusion
Drawing with charcoal offers a unique opportunity to explore light, shadow, and texture in your artwork. Whether you’re sketching landscapes, portraits, or abstract compositions, mastering charcoal techniques can elevate your creative expression. Remember, practice and experimentation are key to developing your skills. Embrace the expressive nature of charcoal and enjoy the journey of creating captivating drawings. Happy drawing!
