Using charcoal on paper offers a flexible way to create everything from bold, expressive marks to subtle, shaded tones. One common and effective technique for applying charcoal is by utilizing the side of the stick.
Applying Charcoal Techniques
Charcoal drawing provides a range of possibilities depending on how the charcoal is applied. Artists use various methods to achieve different effects, whether they need sharp lines, soft gradients, or rich, dark areas.
Creating Broad Strokes with the Side
A fundamental technique for covering large areas quickly and creating expansive tones is using the side of the charcoal stick. To do this:
- Use the side of the charcoal stick and rub down the paper like a crayon.
- This method is particularly useful for creating a large, broad stroke, making it ideal for backgrounds or foundational layers of shading.
- Depending on the paper you're using, this application can also leave some tooth exposed, which is excellent for creating natural highlights and adding texture to your drawing.
This side-rubbing technique allows for varying pressure to control the intensity of the charcoal, producing a wide spectrum of values from light gray to deep black.
Other Common Methods
While using the side is great for broad coverage, other techniques are essential for a complete charcoal drawing:
- Using the Tip: Holding the charcoal stick like a pencil allows you to draw fine lines, outlines, and intricate details.
- Smudging and Blending: Charcoal is highly blendable. Fingers, tortillons (paper blending sticks), or cloths can be used to smudge applied charcoal, creating smooth transitions and soft shadows.
Practical Tips for Working with Charcoal
- Consider Paper Tooth: The texture of your paper (its "tooth") significantly impacts how charcoal adheres and appears. Paper with more tooth will grab more charcoal and allow for lifting highlights, as mentioned with the side-rubbing technique. Smooth paper yields smoother, more uniform coverage.
- Fix Your Work: Charcoal is easily smudged. Artists typically use a fixative spray to set the charcoal layer and prevent accidental smudging once they are satisfied with a section.
- Lift and Erase: Kneaded erasers are invaluable tools for lifting charcoal dust, creating highlights, and making corrections without damaging the paper surface.
Mastering charcoal involves experimenting with these different application methods and understanding how they interact with the paper surface to achieve desired artistic effects.
