Charcoal drawings tend to emphasize broad and lively draftsmanship with more of an emphasis on mass than on linear precision. Utilizing light outlining and shading techniques can help differentiate contrasting tones and accentuating sculptural depth.
Graphite powder made by grinding charcoal sticks can also be used to tone or highlight certain areas in drawings. A kneaded eraser may help bring these highlights out more efficiently.
Choosing the Right Paper
Selecting the proper paper can have a profound impact on the quality, durability and visual appeal of your charcoal drawings. It is especially crucial if you wish to achieve detailed sketches. Drawing paper provides texture, tooth and size necessary for holding soft charcoal particles securely while providing nuanced gradations characteristic of charcoal drawings that set them apart from other artwork.
Selecting heavyweight paper will enable vigorous erasing as well as frequent application and removal of charcoal marks, while remaining acid-free to help avoid yellowing or degradation over time.
When selecting paper, always be sure to feel it directly for maximum satisfaction in terms of texture and weight. Different papers offer differing textures; you may discover one is better suited to your style than another. Paper size also plays an important role when considering erase/blend ease and water sorption rates, among other considerations.
Although there are numerous options available for charcoal drawing paper, the ideal surface should have a non-glossy surface that is neither too thick nor stiff. Rougher or toothier surfaces may produce excessive dust that does not adhere to charcoal well without additional fixative. It is a good idea to protect your artwork with fixative, however make sure that it’s applied in an adequately ventilated space so as to not overspray; hairspray may act as an alternative but may cause the surface of the drawing to darken slightly
If you’re feeling intimidated by charcoal drawing paper, our top choice for charcoal drawing paper: Cason Mi-Teintes is an ideal starting point. Crafted from 100 percent sulphite for optimal media handling capabilities and acid-free properties to prevent breakdown or color value loss. Plus it boasts an archival quality rating so it will stand the test of time!
Using the Right Tool
To achieve optimal results with charcoal drawing, it’s crucial that you use the correct tools. A good quality brush will allow you to achieve desired effects; charcoal pencils provide intricate details or smaller areas requiring precision and care; there is an array of charcoals from pencils, sticks and chunks available so it is advised that you experiment and find what best fits your style and needs.
Your choice of paper will have an enormous influence on the end result of your charcoal drawing. Paper with tooth or surface texture works best, allowing the charcoal to grip securely while maintaining its form. However, white paper or illustration board might also work just as well – whatever works for you!
As soon as you’ve established the basic outlines, start shading midtones to give depth and structure to the drawing, before refining edges and adding any details you wish. Once this step is complete, add any final details if necessary to complete it.
Charcoal can be messy and you should take extra precaution to protect your work when drawing with it. Wear gloves or place extra paper under your hand as protection from the charcoal dust. A chamois cloth, blending stump, or tortillon are also good ways to blend charcoal with other drawing tools and can even help create effects like texture.
Once your drawing is complete, be sure to apply a workable fixative to seal and prevent smudging of your work. For extra protection and lasting peace of mind, permanent fixes should also be used but this should only be used if fully satisfied that it will not smudge during its lifecycle.
Getting Started
Charcoal can be applied to any paper that accepts its marks, though courses teethed papers such as newsprint or charcoal paper tend to produce better results than smooth surfaces like Bristol Board or Illustration Board. While pencil can be drawn on any surface without issue, using mediums with coarse textures – particularly newsprint or charcoal paper – for charcoal drawing will help keep it from falling off of the page and create even marks across all surface types.
Charcoal typically ranges in hardness from soft to hard, and can be found in stick, pencil and powder form. You should select your charcoal grade depending on your experience and desired look; choosing hard will produce darker lines while soft is typically used for creating softer effects; some artists even opt for medium rating as a compromise between these extremes.
Once you have chosen your charcoal, be sure to protect the surface of the paper with a fixative to avoid unwanted smudging and prolong the lifespan of your drawings. This will prevent unwanted smudges while prolonging their existence.
As charcoal can smudge easily, starting out can be challenging when sketching with it for the first time. Once you get used to using it however, creating different effects becomes quite effortless.
As a starting point, try holding the charcoal pencil-like. This allows you to control pressure and angle of marks without fear of accidentally smudging the work. Experiment with different angles and pressure levels until you find what looks best to you.
Smudging can be an essential step of the drawing process; however, some artists prefer leaving areas lighter or darker as an artistic statement. With the use of a kneaded eraser or blending stump, harsh lines can be softened for more natural looking results.
Paper cones can also be an effective tool for smudge and blend charcoal. Similar in shape to an eraser, but without its effects of removal from the page. You could also try using large soft brush/make-up brush/chamois cloth/tortillon combinations – although avoid tortillons that feature ridged surfaces since these will burnish the charcoal into paper rather than disperse it evenly across it.
Taking Your Drawings to the Next Level
Once your tones in a charcoal drawing have reached an satisfactory state, it’s time to smooth away harsh lines with softening tools such as blending stumps, brushes, chamois cloth or tortillon. This step is particularly essential in areas with highly contrasted tones – as this step helps them appear less dissonant and less jarring.
Use contour hatching techniques for an even more realistic appearance. This involves tracing the curved lines of your subject or still life to add depth and tone, making your drawings more expressive.
One key point when working with charcoal is remembering it can be an unruly medium, leaving behind smudges and dust on your paper that needs cleaning up periodically with damp cloth or rag. Furthermore, applying fixative when your drawing is complete may help stop its edges flaking off; these spray cans contain fixative which should be used in well-ventilated spaces – hairspray should never be used instead as this may darken its surface or cause it to crack and crumble!
Charcoal is an accessible medium for expressive sketching. Available in many forms – willow sticks, vine sticks, compressed charcoal pencil and powder – charcoal can produce wide range of marks from rich blacks to pale grays depending on how much pressure is applied; its forgiving nature also makes it easy to erase or lift highlights with an eraser kneaded with clay.
Be sure to choose paper with texture, as this will allow the charcoal to grab onto the surface and hold itself in place. Experiment with different textures and papers until you find one that best matches your style and desired results – white pastel paper may provide excellent contrast when drawing faces or landscapes, offering natural tones that provide contrast for your charcoal drawings.