Charcoal Drawing

As an artist I have always worked with charcoal. Whether using it for quick sketches or more dramatic finished drawings I have always found charcoal an extremely relaxing and therapeutic medium to use.  I fell in love with not only the speed and versatility of charcoal but also the sensation of it on paper. As with any drawing I approach, it starts with a line drawing. From there I then gradually build up tone by applying more and more charcoal, smudging and moving it around the paper with my hands almost sculpturally. This medium allows me the ability to produce lines with either a soft or strong quality by simply changing the pressure I use on the paper. It is also a fantastic way to learn tonal values and lighting techniques.  Another great advantage, unlike other artists’ mediums, is that charcoal is inexpensive to purchase, compact to store and lightweight to carry. Being one of the oldest mediums used today it is a well-recognized skill and although it is sometimes viewed as a preliminary medium for sketching or drawing, together, in this course, I hope to help you create dramatic drawings that stand out on their own.

This three week ‘Char with Charcoal’ course is a fun introduction to drawing still-life with charcoal. Together, through daily tutorials and step by step diagrams, we will explore the use and the effect of charcoal through observational drawing and learning about composition, measuring, tonal values, tricks of the trade and much more. All you need to do is make the time, even ten minutes a day, to sit down with your charcoal (and a mug of char) and practice. The beauty of this ‘Char with Charcoal’ course is the availability and convenience for YOU to do in a time that suits YOUR lifestyle. No matter where YOU are in the world this course is accessible to YOU. It’s never too late to learn how to draw. With these drawing tutorials, Nichola Martin Fine Art brings out the artist in everyone!

Who this course is for:

• With step by step video guide this course is simplified where you will learn an array of skills from measuring, tonal values, composition to enable you to create your own unique masterpice.