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Step 1
Start with a set that includes a few of the different kinds of charcoal such as charcoal pencils, natural charcoal sticks, compressed charcoal sticks and an eraser so you can get a feel for different charcoal media. Look at Faber-Castell Pitts' set for an example of a good beginner's set.
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Step 2
Buy a box of compressed charcoals from makers like Creative Mark or Conte. Look for deals with multiple colors (varying shades of black and gray) and different degrees of hardness and softness so you can use the compressed charcoal for sketching and drawing.
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Step 3
Get some charcoal pencils for fine, dark-line drawing and pay attention to the hard, soft and medium rating or the "H" to "B" ratings. Numbers in front of the "B" rating indicate the darkness of the charcoal, with the higher numbers being the darker ones.
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Step 4
Choose between willow charcoals, which tend to be a little bit harder, more durable and lighter, and vine art charcoals which are softer and darker but wear away more quickly. If you plan to work on canvas, try the vine charcoals. If, on the other hand, you want to sketch out a painting on paper buy a light willow charcoal for the sketch.
