10 reasons to LOVE charcoal

1) Minimal Materials (not expensive)

We can achieve wonderful results with only a sheet of reasonable quality paper, a charcoal stick or two, and a rubber (eraser).

2) It Feels Familiar

It’s an easy medium to pickup as working with a charcoal stick feels like using a pencil or pen; much more familiar and intuitive than using a brush.

3) Easy to get great results

Charcoal is no fuss medium. We don’t need fancy techniques or complicated processes. A simple approach goes a very long way.

4) Moveable & Forgiving

We can move charcoal around endlessly (with a few limitations). Pushing and pulling shapes and lines around until we have something we like is no problem; plus it’s easy to apply and alter large areas of tone quickly.

5) Freeing

What comes with a forgiving medium is a freedom to maker so called ‘mistakes”, and with this, freedom to be bold with no consequence - this is so liberating and leads to very quick learning!

6) Fun & Playful

Because of all the above, charcoal is an extremely fun and very playful medium. This  point one I cannot emphasise enough. I’ve turned so many people on to charcoal and it becomes very addictive! Play, play, play!

7) Drastically Improves Tonal Values

If you know me at all, you will know I am always going on about shape and tone, and how they are the absolute core principles of any painting…

The lack of colour in charcoal, combined with the easy application and approaches, means your observation and understanding of tonal values will see great leaps forward.

8) Really helps with Shapes and accuracy

I purposely avoid using the word “drawing” here as this implies using a pencil or drawing medium, but our drawing - in this case the accuracy of our shapes when using any medium - cannot help but improve when we are using charcoal.

Partly because it is so forgiving and moveable, partly because of its playful freedom.

9) It significantly improves our painting

With so much emphasis on shapes, composition, accuracy and fun, we see big improvements when we return to painting.

This is the case whatever medium style. Although I personally think it is the perfect accompaniment to looser watercolour painting.

10) Keeps creativity fresh

Finally, moving to a different medium every so often does nothing but good things for creativity and our excitement for painting and drawing.

In turn this helps keep not only our art work, but also our minds, fresh and eager!!!

Would you like to give charcoal a go?
OR
Revisit this great medium to dive deeper?

Short and to the point
Easy to follow and digest 

A great mix of information and inspiration to get the creativity flowing!
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