Experimenting with materials and techniquesCharcoal

Charcoal can be messy, but is worth persevering with.

It is less precise than pencil but gives a darker, richer tone.

Charcoal is a good medium for creating marks quickly and works well as an expressive medium.

Techniques

• Create a realistic drawing by smudging the charcoal to make graduated tones. Smudge with your finger or a cotton bud.
• Make exciting, energetic marks to create an expressive drawing.
• Use an eraser to rub away the charcoal to create highlights.
• Combine with chalk to add highlights on a mid-tone paper.
• Brush over with water to deepen the tones and fix the charcoal.