The Basics of Charcoal Drawing

Oct 02

If you have been drawing with pencils and pens for most of your life, you will find the dramatic strokes of charcoal a bit more challenging.

Here are some essential things you need to know about charcoal drawing before trying the new medium.

Basic Charcoal Drawing Materials

To practice drawing with charcoal, you will need the following materials:

  1. Charcoal
  2. White chalk
  3. Kneaded eraser
  4. Tortillon or blending stump
  5. Chamois
  6. Drawing paper
  7. Drawing pencils and sharpener
  8. Sanding block or sandpaper (for compressed charcoal)
  9. Fixative

Charcoal can be in any form; such as charcoal sticks or vines also known as carbonized wood, charcoal pencils or compressed, conte crayons or charcoal mixed with gum binder or wax or clay, charcoal powder or ground charcoal, and willow charcoal that came from burnt willow vine.

You can experiment with any of these materials to determine which can achieve the desired affects you have in mind. When you purchase a set of charcoal materials, some labels will have a hardness rating similar to graphite pencils, such as H, HB, and 2B. Some labels, however, vary among manufacturers, so be sure to try the product on a piece of paper before purchasing.

The chamois and tortillon are used for blending, while the white chalk can be used to create the lighter portions of the drawing. As for the drawing surface, use heavyweight paper that is at least 70 pounds so it can hold the charcoal.

Basic Charcoal Drawing Techniques

Before doing any sketches, you should try creating lines and shapes using the different types of charcoal you have purchased. That way, you will get a feel of how to properly hold each material and how hard you need to press to achieve the desired effect. The pencil, for example, should be held differently than the stick and vine charcoal.

Most of the drawing techniques you have learned with graphite pencils and pens can be used with charcoal, but you should master techniques for shading and hatching to make the most out of the dramatic and expressive lines of the medium.

When you have selected a subject, start by drawing lines to create an outline. Refine the lines and curves of the sketch until it resembles the subject matter. Then, using a chamois or blending stump, rub on some areas to create a contrast of darks and greys. To create highlights, use the kneaded eraser and gently wipe a small piece on some areas to lift the charcoal. After that, it’s time to create values by repeating the same steps until the drawing is finished.

Fixative for Charcoal Drawing

Charcoal drawings can smudge easily, that is why you will need a fixative to keep the material on paper. There are different types of fixatives in art shops in Singapore, so find the product that is non-yellowing, doesn’t have a strong odor, is quick-drying, and is designed for charcoal and pencil (some fixatives cannot be used on pastels).

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How to Care for and Clean Your Paint Brushes

Oct 02

Part of an aspiring artist’s responsibility is to keep all the art materials in good condition. Perhaps the most challenging of this is keeping your collection of paint brushes clean and organized. But what if you frequently use water-based and oil-based paints?

Here are some tips to keep your paint brushes serviceable.

Buy the Right Paint Brushes

It starts with buying the correct paint brushes for each medium. While you might be fond of certain shapes, hairs, and brands, not all paint brushes can be used for all of three popular media, such as watercolor, acrylic, and oil. Acrylic and oil paints can shorten the life of your paint brushes if you do not clean them properly.

For watercolor, most experienced artists choose brushes made from soft synthetic materials or squirrel hair and have the quality of springing back to their original shape and will hold a lot of paint and water. For acrylic, choose brushes that are stiff to create texture, but others also use synthetic brushes made for watercolor to create a smooth texture.

It should be stiffer than brushes for watercolor, but less thick than that used for oil. While for oil, pick synthetic brushes that are thick and dense. Synthetic bristles made from nylon are cheaper than most animal hair, so they are more practical. Lastly, use separate brushes for each type of paint to make cleaning easier.

Cleaning Your Paint Brushes

Cleaning the paint brushes also take into factor the type of paint you are using. Some manufacturers include cleaning instructions on the package, so make sure to follow those. Clean your brushes immediately after use and do not wait for the paint to dry on the bristles, because that will make it more difficult to remove. Do not use the same brush when switching from water-based to oil-based paint, as discussed above.

For both water-based and oil-based paints, do not soak the brushes in water or solvent, because that can weaken the bristles. To remove the oil, varnish, shellac, and lacquer from the brush, use only the correct cleaning solvent recommended by the manufacturer then dip the brushes in the solvent several times.

To remove latex paint, mix soap and warm water in a container then dip the brush repeatedly before rinsing in clean water and remove the excess moisture. In some cases, you might need a paint brush comb to remove residues (especially on a ferrule) and a paint brush spinner to remove excess water and solvent.

Storing Your Paint Brushes

Before storing your paint brushes, make sure that there are no paint or residues left, then let them dry on a clean towel. Once dry, store the brushes separately in a clean, dry container. Some artists advise to place the brushes horizontally, but you can place them in paint brush holders as long as the bristles do not get bent or damaged. If you need to transport them, buy a plastic tube or brush case.

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