Creating With Charcoal

Charcoal and chalk are two of the oldest known drawing materials. Ancient artists would use soot and sticks of charred wood from the fire as drawing tools. Charcoal is an excellent medium for beginners. It encourages the artists to treat subjects in broad strokes instead of getting lost in the details. Chalk and charcoal are often used together. They work well for making tonal drawings and gestural sketches, due to similarities in their mark-making. 

One of the most interesting characteristics of charcoal is the way it reacts to the texture and grain of the drawing paper. This allows the paper to show through and contribute to the surface interest of the drawing. This is especially evident when the side of the stick is swept across the surface. Charcoal also works well for large-scale drawing. While standing at an easel, you’ll want to stand far enough back from the easel that your drawing arm is not cramped, and you can view the drawing as a whole.

Charcoal Sticks

Charcoal or “natural” sticks are a form of carbon made by firing wood sticks at high temperatures in airtight containers or kilns. They are usually made from willow but sometimes, vine. Willow is the most common type of charcoal stick and the least expensive. Vine is more expensive and makes richer marks. Natural variations in each twig’s texture create natural variations. It’s always a good idea to test a new stick if needed in the middle of a drawing. 

Compressed Charcoal

Compressed charcoal is man-made out of powder ground from charcoal that is then mixed with a binder and pressed into sticks or encased in wood as pencils. This type of charcoal is stronger than stick charcoal and doesn’t break as easily. The effect will be bolder and darker, producing marks that aren’t easily changed or erased. Square, round, and rectangular sticks are available, providing a wide range of marks. Charcoal can also be used as a powder. There are even sticks and pencils with colored pigments added, and some compressed charcoal can also be used with water. White “charcoal” pencils are made with chalk. Pencils are generally used for fine lines and details. 

Charcoal is a wonderfully versatile medium. By simply twisting and varying the pressure on the stick, you can make fluid lines that vary from soft and tentative to bold and vigorous. Tonal effects, ranging from deep blacks to misty greys, are made by smudging and blending charcoal lines with the fingers or a white paper blending stump and highlights can be achieved with a needed eraser. You will also want to use a fixative to prevent smudging. 

As always, happy drawing!