Now let's learn to use a different medium...charcoal! YAY!
Charcoal is a really dramatic medium that can help you get super dark values. It comes in several different forms; compressed, and vine sticks, pencils, loose powder and white charcoal. It's a really powdery medium, so we will need ways to blend it. You can use tissues, chamois cloth and/or your fingers. (Yes, you will get dirty, but it washes out, so don't worry).
Remember that charcoal is a medium that is built up in layers. There will be a lot of building it up, knocking it down and then building it back up again. Check out these videos for all that info you will need:
CHARCOAL
1. Learn about the different
tools we use when
working with charcoal:
You will find everything on
the supply table. It's all
labeled for you. :)
The
What you will need:
To start:
- Your sketchbook
- Vine charcoal
- A chamois
- Your reference image (resource
page)
Later:
- Compressed charcoal or
charcoal pencils (for darker
values)
- White charcoal (for highlights)
Button
2. Find out how to get started and how to create your drawings.
Watch both of these videos for steps, proper tool use and tips:
Obviously, I'm not drawing a leaf...I want you to figure that out
yourself, but the basic steps are the same.
3. Draw a leaf in charcoal in your sketchbook. Work from the
images on the resource page. If you'd prefer, you can find
your own image, or take your own picture, just check it with
me first.
Remember the Steps:
-Start by covering the paper in a layer of vine charcoal.
-Sketch and start adding values with the vine charcoal.
-Blend it in and add it again. LAYERS are the key!
-Use the pencils for more detail and darker values.
-Blend blend blend.
-Compressed charcoal is only for the darkest values.
-Erase and add white highlights to bring back the light values.
-When finished, spray with fixative.
4. Once you've practiced with the leaf, you can do another
drawing of anything you want. Do a little google orPinterest
search if you need inspiration. Run your idea past me and
we'll come up with a plan together.