How do you use charcoal?

Question

I have some I bought from the craft store and I really want to draw with it. I've been trying to figure it out but it's sort of hard especially since it's wide and I don't know how pictures should turn out with charcoal! Help!

Answer 1

The best way to start using charcoal is to use big sheets of newsprint paper. You can get that at the art supply store too. With charcoal, start by experimenting with using varying pressure to draw. Resist the urge to pick the charcoal up off the paper and use little wimpy strokes. :) When drawing an object that you're looking at, use a lighter touch along the lighter sides. When there is a shadow, crease, or darker edge, apply more pressure. This will make the stroke darker and thicker. One big thing to remember about charcoal is that it smudges easily, so be careful not to rest your hand on the paper. But you can stragically smudge wherever you want.
Charcoal is a fun thing to play with, just be open to play a lot with the cheap paper (newsprint) until you get your technique down and get comfortable with it. Then you can use the better paper, and use a fixatif to "fix" your work when finished, to cut down on smudges.
Enjoy!

Answer 2

There a two popular charcoal techniques. The first, my favorite, is the subtraction technique where you layer the paper in one dark coat of charcoal and then make pictures with it using a gum eraser, subtracting out color to make different light values. The second is just to draw with the charcoal as you would a pencil. Smudging and blending is easier because the charcoal spreads so easily. Try using both techniques and figure out which you like best. The wide charcoal is usually better for subtraction but you can break it into smaller pieces.

Answer 3

Its been said that Art is the contact between a medium and a person. Many types of art have limits inherent in the medium. the person that works with that medium has to work within the limits. Like its hard to draw very fine lines with charcoal, although you can sharpen it to some extent with sand paper. The best thing to do is to try to ---not try to hard, because the artist in you will come out in your art by itself if you are not stressed. just lazily draw curves and straight lines and see how the lines will change if you roll the charcoal in your fingers as you pull it across the paper. try every action you can until the driving of the charcoal is totally natural and at that point you will be a master craftsman with charcoal. but you still may not be an artist. I'm a master craftsman working with metal. I can do anything that can be done with that medium. but Ive never been much of an artist. Because part of being an artist is that part of us we may never be able to describe

Answer 4

You can also smudge it with your fingertips, and remove some parts with an eraser to get back to the paper. I've seen artists cover their entire paper with the charcoal then "draw" back into it with a kneaded eraser or gum eraser.

You might find it easier to sharpen the edge on some sandpaper.

I always break off a stick about 2 inches long that I can use on its side to make wide marks (hey - it's gonna break anyway!)

have fun!

Answer 5

charcoal is great cos u can create rough drawings that still look good. I like to do my sketchs and fill with watercolour, it doesnt even matter if the charcoal runs with the paint, its really effective. I think the best thing to do is just start experimenting. soon you'll find a variety of techniques that suit your still of art.

Answer 6

First of all, break the sticks up, especially if you have those long pieces. This gives you some sharp edges you can use for fine lines. When you use it, it's sort of like a pencil except you're "allowed" to smudge it. Just go with it, it's a very loose and free medium. ^^

Answer 7

Using light pressure with the charcol will allow you to go back with a blending tool or eraser to create highlights. Charcol is well suited for creating shading via line wieght, rather than frequency of lines. turning your hand while creating a line will create a very smooth transistion in line wieght. I highly recommend heavy coarse paper, a paper blending tool and kneaded eraser and possibly something to catch the ash as it falls--if you're in a carpeted apartment.

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Answer 8

Pressure and the amount of it will determine the shading of the piece. Shave it to a point and you can use the tip or use the side for light shadings. It's kinda like a pencil but more profound shading. Experiment with it. It's fun.

Answer 9

there is that "turkey fryer" kettle that you put the propane torch under for deep frying. NO, I have not tried it and don't expect it would get hot enough to do more than boil the food in oil so it absorbs too much oil.

Answer 10

you can sharpen it with a knife. its just like a big pencil.