Charcoal Drawing Tutorial

Materials Needed

• Vine charcoal (soft and medium)
• Compressed charcoal sticks
• Charcoal pencils
• Drawing paper (medium texture)
• Kneaded eraser
• Blending stumps
• Fixative spray
• Paper towels

Basic Techniques

1. Mark Making

Essential charcoal techniques:

• Light sketching with vine charcoal
• Bold marks with compressed charcoal
• Precise lines with charcoal pencils
• Side strokes for shading

2. Value Creation

Building depth and dimension:

• Light to dark gradients
• Cross-hatching for texture
• Subtractive technique with eraser
• Blending for smooth transitions

3. Atmospheric Effects

Creating mood and atmosphere:

• Smudging for soft edges
• Layering for depth
• Creating highlights
• Atmospheric perspective

Practice Exercise

Create a dramatic still life:

1. Sketch basic shapes with vine charcoal
2. Establish main values
3. Build up darker areas
4. Add highlights and final details

Tips for Success

• Work from light to dark
• Fix your work in stages
• Keep your hands clean
• Use paper towel to protect your work
• Store drawings properly to prevent smudging