8 Expert Tips For Mastering Charcoal Drawing

Charcoal drawing is a great medium for artists of all levels to explore. It's one of the most versatile art supplies out there, and its versatility makes it easy to get started with charcoal. In the words of 2nd Edition Finalist, Asiah Thomas-Mandlman, “Charcoal is my dream. She’s messy, sexy and sincere. For a 2D material, charcoal is extremely moldable and forgiving”. If you are an artist looking to master the art of charcoal drawing, then this blog post is for you. We've compiled 8 expert tips that will help you create your best work yet!

“Casey Waiting” //Sanded Charcoal on Paper// by 2nd Place Winner in the 3rd Edition, Annie Murphy-Robinson

Tip #1: Get acquainted with the different types of charcoal

There are a few different types of charcoal that you can experiment with to produce different, equally, and uniquely stunning pieces. Monmarte has compiled an informative list (that I’ve slightly edited) for you to better understand the types of charcoal.

Willow charcoal sticks: This type of charcoal is made from natural willow wood. It’s generally quite soft and delicate which makes it great for free flowing strokes and blending as well as quick sketches.

Woodless charcoal pencils: Woodless (compressed) charcoal pencils are powdered charcoal that is conjoined using wax or gum binder. They are slightly harder than willow and create a dark, rich mark. You can use them for covering large areas or creating fine lines. Structurally, they resemble chalk pastels.

Charcoal pencils: If you need to create linework, charcoal pencils will come in handy. They're available in a variety of hardness levels to give you different results.

White charcoal: Want to mix it up a bit? White charcoal can be used to create beautiful drawings on toned paper (such as brown and black). You can also use it in combination with dark charcoal to create highlights and build depth.

Tip #2: Remain constantly conscious about hand placement

You’ve put a lot of effort into your charcoal drawing. The last thing you want is to ruin your piece by smudging it accidentally with your hand. That’s why it’s extremely important when working with this medium to remain constantly conscious about your hand placement. The best hand placement technique for charcoal drawings is an elevated hand so that your hand does not lay on the paper. Fine art artist, Mariana S. Zanina suggests “placing your pinky against the paper, to lift your arms away from your work.” Equally, contemporary mixed media artist Allison Maletz recommends that when your hand begins to get tired, “put extra pieces of paper under your arms to keep them from smudging everything underneath.” It’s also important to keep your hand clean by washing them regularly throughout the process because “when working with charcoal for a prolonged time, the oils from your hands can also easily stain the paper.”

“Cover Your Mouth” //Charcoal// by 2nd Edition Finalist, Asiah Thomas-Mandlman

Tip #3: Understand pressure variation

As explained by 4th Edition Finalist, Grace Doyle, “colour is eliminated so light and form become the key players.” With this being the primary focus, it’s essential to understand the pressure variation of charcoal so that you can manage it and create a purposeful and effective range of values. This understanding comes through practicing how hard or softly you need to press with the charcoal as well as the nature of knowledge of the type of charcoal you’re using. For example, willow charcoal sticks are great for lighter values due to their delicate nature whereas woodless (compressed) charcoal pencils are harder in nature and therefore produce darker tones. HelloArtsy suggests creating “a value scale of at least five distinct values from white to black. This allows [for]… a reference point when [you] are working on various projects.” They have created a useful video to show the step-by-step guide of value shading with charcoal using the scale technique.

Tip #4: Experiment with different types of paper

Did you know that you can create different textures, effects, and overall feels based on the paper you choose? When choosing the best paper for charcoal drawings, you want to consider three things - the characteristics of the medium, the durability of the surface, and the final feel you’re working towards. Many artists use rough textured paper (or paper with more tooth) because it interacts effectively with charcoal due to its abundance of grip. I think that Artist Network’s checklist is particularly helpful and filled with some great tips and guidelines to help you find the best papers for charcoal drawing.

• The paper should not be delicate (because it won’t be able to withstand the abrasion of your kneaded eraser)
• Is it newsprint? Newsprint is a good option because it’s not only cost-effective but also is avail as in numerous sizes but keep in mind that due to its thin nature, it is susceptible to tearing if a lot of pressure if applied.
• Is it made from cotton fibers? According to Artist Network, “this is often the go-to paper for charcoal drawing and other dry media. It can be purchased in individual sheets and in pads or spiral bindings.”
• It has tooth. Tooth is the term used to refer to the way in which the surface holds the medium. The softer your medium, the more tooth you want. Smooth paper is great for graphite, but it doesn’t hold charcoal or pastel as well as drawing paper with a rougher texture.
• It’s called charcoal or pastel paper. It will have the texture you want. Canson Mi-Teintes, Canson Ingres, Strathmore 500 Series, and Fabriano Tiziano are popular choices.
• It’s 60-90 lb. Suitable paper for charcoal drawing and other dry media are typically in this range. Heavier paper can stand up to vigorous mark-making and erasing, which are both hallmarks of charcoal drawing.

“Ryan” //Graphite & Charcoal on Paper// by 3rd Edition Finalist, Jennifer Globush

Tip #5: Use a hobby knife to sharpen your charcoal

Have you ever asked yourself “should I sharpen with a regular sharpener or are there other tools accessible for making my charcoal on point? The simple answer is that there are better options and I’d recommend using a hobby knife because it accommodates the fragility of charcoal (in comparison to graphite). New blades can produce the best results due to their sharpness and when coupled with sandpaper, you can create an acute fine tip that is beneficial for thin, precise line work. 2nd place winner of 3rd Edition, Annie Murphy-Robinson is well known for the invention of her sanding charcoal technique that creates stunningly detailed pieces. It’s a technique worth implementing (if you haven’t already) because it prevents the charcoal from breaking while you're drawing and gives a cleaner edge when shading.

Tip #6: Seal your charcoal drawings when it’s complete

It’s often debated whether you should or shouldn’t seal your charcoal drawings after completion because although it’s ideal for preservation and preventing smudging, it’s risky in terms of the value change and potential particle. However, you can avoid this once done correctly.


How to the best-suited spray for your work

You’re going to choose the best suited spray for your work according to the type of fixative (ie. the liquid that is sprayed over the finished piece for preservation purposes). Fixatives are available in both gloss and mater finishes and can be classified as “workable” meaning that you can add layers and there are those that completely seal the drawing in one go.


How to Spray

Strathmore has a detailed outline for getting the best results with spraying. They state that before spraying, you want to ensure that you gently blow or brush away (with a drafting brush) the loose particles on your piece. Never use your hand because this can cause smudging or leave residue and ruin your hard work.

Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated room or outside and “use a respirator mask for safety from fume.

Make sure your piece has securely adhered to a solid, flat, angled surface so it doesn’t move when you start spraying. You can use clips to hold it down or artists tape. It should not be laid flat on the table as it can cause puddling.

Tape or clip to a rigid surface that is upright or at a slight angle. You should make it a habit of shaking the can for at least two minutes before use in particular when using matte finish fixatives as there is a matting agent in the spray that requires additional mixing.

Next, clear the nozzle before you start spraying. Turn the can upside down and spray until nothing is coming out except air. This prevents clumping of the fixative. You’re all prepped and now it’s time to spray.

They advise to “apply multiple lighter coats than one heavy coat. Hold the fixative about 2 feet from the paper as you’re spraying. Use continuous arm movement while spraying to avoid over saturation of any one spot. Make sure to cover the entire piece from edge to edge by spraying beyond the borders.
Wait a minimum of 30 minutes and do not touch the piece even if it looks dry.

Spray the piece a second time from the opposite direction to make sure you’ve achieved full coverage. If clipped to a rigid surface turn paper 180 degrees and apply a second coat.”

“Bewicchen” //Sanded Charcoal on Paper// by 2nd Place Winner in the 3rd Edition, Annie Murphy-Robinson

Tip #7: Use a kneaded eraser for highlights

Want depth in your drawings? A kneaded eraser is one of the perfect tools for that. It can be easily molded into a variety of shapes and is great for creating highlights through the popular technique of reductive drawing. Simply put, this technique uses the eraser to remove excess powder and loose particles to lighten tones while simultaneously building form.

Tip #8: Blend with a blending stump or tortillon

Blending stumps or tortillon are another trusted tool that you’ll need when charcoal drawing. They are often the mastermind behind those smooth transitions you see in these types of drawings because they allow the charcoal to have a good grip and hold on the paper and are also helpful in the process of lightening tones.
According to My Modern Met, “It’s important to layer and build up your tones. First, use the back-and-forth approach to cover the area of your paper with charcoal. Once you’ve coated it, use your finger, a chamois, or a tortillon to press it into the page. Repeat this step until you’ve reached your desired intensity.”

Conclusion

Whether you're a beginner or an accomplished artist, these tips will help you master this beautiful art form and why not share it with us by submitting your work to our 5th Edition. We are accepting all 2D and 3D media and our award is open to emerging artists at all levels; all we want is your best. Why not submit your charcoal works for a chance to win amazing prizes including our $7,000 cash prize pool, access to our skilled Marketing Team, $250 USD worth of art supplies from Blick Art Materials and more! Please submit your work by Tuesday 31 st August 2021 at 11:59 pm GMT-4 to qualify for our Early Bird Discount. Regular Submissions are open until Monday 22nd November 2021 at 11:59 PM GMT-4.

We look forward to seeing what you have in store for us!