Charcoal Drawings are one of the oldest forms of artistic expression. Well-known Artists like Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo used charcoal for sketches and underdrawings which gained attention from the public. Charcoal eventually became a popular medium in the 19th and 20th century in which it is used because of its deep blacks and rich tonal range ensuring a distinct value for drawings.
I first became interested in charcoal through drawing many portraits with a desire to use dark tones. The depth, texture, and energy of the charcoal medium still interests me with artists like Denny Stoekenbroek and Oliver Sin consistently producing visually pleasing pieces. Today, I still use the charcoal medium trying to refine my techniques. I often combine graphite pencils with charcoal to ensure the piece I am creating has a successful chemistry of tones.
