Class Overview

Learn how to create a large, dynamic charcoal portrait. Use my unique step-by-step instructions to achieve stunning results rich in tonal mark making. You will also learn how to capture beautiful portrait photographs as source material for your final masterpiece.

Why should you take this class?

More those that say they can’t draw. - I will prove you wrong!

For those who feel unaccustomed to, or even scared, of charcoal, fear no more - you will learn every stage of the development process learning to handle charcoal with confidence.

The skills you learn in constructing proportions, rending tonal values, and manipulating the medium on your drawing surface are transferable skills to use in any subject matter of your choice.

By the end of the class, you will be equipped with all the knowledge to transfer your siklls into your own area of interest.

Perhaps the built environment using contemporary and historical architecture to create your next large-scale tonal drawing?

Here are some examples of artists who have completed this project working with me.

What you will learn:

I’m going to show my tried and tested method of drawing with charcoal which is very easy to understand and will produce some stunning results. Each of the six stages is fully explained with images and time-lapse video. They include:

How to scale your work and develop accurate proportions using the grid method.
Lay a charcoal ground to broaden tonal control
Handle willow charcoal with confident lines and marks
Lift charcoal off the surface to reveal lighter values
Apply dark tonal layers while exploring expressive mark-making.
Refine detail with a careful rendering of compressed charcoal and pencil.

We will also explore how to find your own personal style with your drawings, learning to embrace imperfection, intuition, and experiment as you understand the limitations of using charcoal.

Is this class for me?

Absolutely yes! You do not need any specialist skills because I carefully explain each step of the journey. Even just a basic understanding of drawing is enough to achieve excellent results. All you need is the willingness to learn and not be afraid of getting your hands a bit dirty!

Materials and resources.

A3, A2 or A1 sheets of good quality cartridge paper.
Willow charcoal varying thickness.
Graphite or ideally charcoal pencil
Sharpener or scalpel blade.
Rubber pens (TomBow)
Putty Rubber
fine liner pens
Ruler

Let’s do it!

Crystal Nichols

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