Charcoal Demo

Charcoal Drawing Demo

Step 1
I use a vine charcoal to outline the general shapes and separate shadow areas. The cast shadow under the nose is my sharpest edge, and to indicate that I put more force and crispness in that line-- just as a reminder.

Step 2
I crosshatch the shadows thinking of anatomy and expression simultaneously. No halftones at this stage.

Step 3
Now I add my darkest darks using a compressed charcoal to stabilize my shadow areas. the tip and the side of charcoal are both used to create interesting and rhythmic shapes.

Step 4
I finally put in the halftones to define the jawbone and the temple a bit. The fun part is when I rub my charcoal stained little finger to suggest the chin, cheekbone,etc. Highlights are then added and its done.