Charcoal drawing

Charcoal drawing

Charcoal drawing can express a wide range of emotions and expressions. Here is an explanation of charcoal, its composition and properties, emotional dimension, how to use it, tips and techniques of charcoal drawing.

Charcoal drawing first appeared in ancient cave paintings. During the Renaissance, the use of charcoal to create sketches and preparations for works of art stood out. It was only at the end of the 15th century that methods were developed for fixing charcoal drawings, which without the fixing are smeared and erased over time. The drawing in charcoal has a very dramatic character, it can range from subtle shades of gray to strong and deep black. It is recommended to get to know and experiment with the different techniques.

Facts and properties of charcoal for drawing

  • Natural drawing charcoal is made from charred vine or willow tree branches and has a dark, black shade, a powdery, delicate, brittle and brittle material. It is burned in a place without air and thus it is more uniform and stronger. Synthetic coal is powdered coal that is compacted with a binder. It is blacker and more oily than natural charcoal, comes in different degrees of difficulty and usually in the form of a roll stick or a charcoal pencil.
  • Charcoal drawings can be made on almost any type of surface, smooth or rough. The drawing tends to smear, get dirty and erase if not fixed using a special substance called fixative.
  • Charcoal drawings can be combined with graphite or chalk pencil drawings.

Emotional dimension and personal expression that allows registration in charcoal

Any touch of charcoal on white paper has a presence that conveys a dramatic feel. Coal ranges from an emotional and expressive expression to dirt and a sense of chaos. Along with a sense of freedom, sensual pleasure and a sense of control over chaos, working with charcoal can also raise feelings of anxiety, guilt and fear of getting dirty.

By working with charcoal you can process feelings of anger and pain. Charcoal has a very wide black-gray range, which expands and flexes the range of emotions.

Charcoal allows for stratified work and thus deeper emotional work. Through the creation of grids in the upper layers, a sense of depth is created in the painting, and it is possible to observe through them inner and deeper layers.

A charcoal eraser can be used that illuminates places laden with charcoal. You can also use a dry cloth that wipes everything and thus opens the process again. The range of possibilities in working with charcoal expands the capacity for flexibility and deepening, and allows for relaxation and release.

Registration in coal - equipment and related materials

Drawing paper Newsprint, black Bristols and thick drawing papers.
Registration board or registration desk - depending on your preferred way of working; Yes desk registration or yes standing registration. Registration outdoors, in nature or urban; Writing board resting on the arm, or writing in a hard-bound notebook.
Clear - When working with charcoal, it is recommended to use a charcoal eraser to clarify and build the light and shadow in the drawing. A normal eraser is not effective as it will not erase the charcoal but only smear it.
sharpener - Sharpener with strong metal that does not break the pencil, with a large hole diameter for charcoal pencils.
Charcoal spreader - blurring and applying charcoal to obtain a uniform texture, gradual color transitions and entering subtleties in the small details.
Soft pastel colors - When working with charcoal, you can combine soft pastel colors and pit pencils, to add white color and a richer color range in the drawing.
Fixed - In the transition to additional layers and at the end of the work with coal, it is essential to spray on the fixative registration for fixing the powdered coal.

Tips and advice for the process of working with charcoal

  • The charcoal can be easily applied with a rough application or using a charcoal spreader to achieve fine subtleties in the details. You can work with the coal in a line or spot; at the end of the coal or across it. You can shake the charcoal powder by blowing, or with a dry cloth.
  • A charcoal pencil does not get your hands dirty, suitable for smaller drawings in charcoal, or for precision in small details, such as an eye, which is difficult to do with regular charcoal. It is recommended to combine charcoal sticks and a charcoal pencil in the drawing.
  • There is a tendency to use charcoal blurring with the fingers, but it is recommended to stay in the use of charcoal sprinklers, this is because the skin tissue has an accumulation of fat that can create stains on the painting. Another option is to fix using fixative and continue with additional layers. At the same time, working with your fingertips enhances the experience of sensuality and pleasure in drawing with charcoal.
  • In an initial acquaintance with coal, it is worthwhile to experiment with it; Apply the charcoal in different directions, in different movements and apply different pressure on it.
  • If you want to make a drawing before painting it is better to use natural charcoal because it comes off more easily and is less visible than the synthetic charcoal which is blacker, dirtier and greasy.

Watch an exercise on the proportions of the human head with charcoal 5:14

 

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