How to Draw with Charcoal

The use of charcoal as an artist's medium has evolved over the years from being used in cave paintings to under-drawings of frescoes to cartoons. The principles of using charcoal are much different than using pencils, ink and most other mediums, which makes it a great tool for learning to draw.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Draw very loosely. Charcoal does not depict minute details well. It is most successful when producing huge, broad, sweeping free strokes. The style is very uninhibited.

2. Use large paper. It is essential that you have enough room for the big and broad strokes required when drawing with charcoal. You need enough room to stand back and use the entire arm for strokes.

3. Blend with your finger. Soften the lines made by the charcoal with your fingertip instead of a blending stub, which can result in no dimension or depth in your drawing. Blend some areas more than others to create interest.

4. Correct mistakes with a duster or brush. Granules of charcoal are so loose that they sit on top of the paper instead of getting rubbed. Before blending, remove charcoal from the paper simply by dusting it off with a large brush.

5. Add highlights or remove charcoal from places with a putty eraser. A putty eraser can remove charcoal and add highlights to your picture. A moist piece of bread molding into a ball does the trick as well.

6. Set the final picture with a fixative. Charcoal moves very easily, so a final picture needs to be sprayed if you would like to keep it. Use spray adhesive specifically for artwork. Consider very cheap aerosol hairspray or skim milk, which is best for the environment.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice an uninhibited style by drawing with your eyes on the subject instead of the paper.
• Practice drawing with loose strokes by using a long charcoal cane at least one foot in length.