Charcoal Technique

Charcoal drawing is an art technique that uses charred wood sticks or compressed charcoal to create rich, dark lines and deep shadows on paper. Artists value charcoal for its versatility—it can produce bold, expressive strokes as well as soft, subtle tones. Shading with charcoal involves blending and layering to show how light and shadow fall across a subject, which gives objects depth and a three-dimensional appearance. By adjusting pressure, smudging with a finger or blending tool, and building up layers, an artist can create a wide range of values from light gray to deep black. This makes charcoal an ideal medium for dramatic contrasts and realistic textures in sketches, portraits, and detailed studies.