Charcoal

Unearth the primal allure of charcoal for drawing, a medium with deep roots in art history yet one that you can still explore in today’s artistic landscape. From the earliest cave paintings to cutting-edge modern artworks, they’ve been in the hands of creatives for their ability to create depth and texture. With its unique blendability and forgiving nature, charcoal art supplies remain an invaluable resource for those of you who seek richness and intensity in their work.

Explore our wide range of art and craft supplies from the best brands, trusted and respected around the world, including Faber-Castell, Derwent, ArtGraf and more.

Different ways of using charcoal for drawing

Charcoal Pencil

Combining the precision of regular pencils with the deep, matte finish of charcoal art supplies, charcoal pencils are the modern adaption of traditional sticks. Bring them with you on the go when you’re planning some sketch work, or have a few in your pencil case to add fine details to your drawings. They can be sharpened using a regular sharpener, but you can also use a craft knife to have more control over the pencil's point.

Powders

Spread your ideas across the page and cover large areas, charcoal powder can be applied with brushes or fingers and lets you create smokey gradients in your art. The loose form opens up a world of artistic exploration for you to experiment with, allowing you to control the effect with the pressure you apply. When you use the powder with other art supplies, such as pencils or sticks, you can add depth and texture, it’s a medium for artists who enjoy playing with layers.

Charcoal Stick

The classic and raw embodiment of the medium, charcoal sticks make bold strokes and can be used to create texture or add shading. Their organic form allows you to change up how you draw, by using the different edges of the unrefined shape that evolves as you create your artwork. Every artist interested in drawing should experiment with this timeless utensil, beloved for their versatility and the richness they bring to art.

Tips for artists:

Paper preferences: Your paper choice can dramatically impact your artwork. Look for textured paper that grips the medium for precision when you draw.

Embrace smudging: The beauty of using charcoal for drawing lies in its blendability. Using fingers or blending stumps can create soft transitions.

Finish with a fix: Given their smudge-prone nature, always finish your artworks with fixatives to keep your drawings from being wiped away

Clean hands, clean art: You don’t want to leave a thumbprint behind. Always have wipes or rags handy.

Start creating with these supplies:

Sketch pad: Having a light-weight drawing pad to take down ideas is always ideal when you’re on-the-go.

Blending tools: Almost anything will do, your hand, a cotton bud, but a professional blending stump is best.

Fixatives: Seriously important! You’ll be devastated if your hard work is ruined by an unwanted smudge.

Erasers: A kneaded eraser can lift the medium off the paper when you need to highlight or make corrections.

Craft Knife: You can also use a sharpener but many artists prefer to shape the tip to their liking.

Nitram Sharpening Block