GMC’s occasional series of simple introductions to individual media lands on one that’s rarely covered on its own. Even as part of a more general survey of drawing media, charcoal often only gets a passing mention.
Why this is, is hard to say. True, it can be messy. True also, it can look a mess in unskilled hands. Pure black that can’t be easily diluted into a tone is tricky to master. It requires a lot of leavening with a light touch and generous use of the background support or additional materials. Keeping to the spirit of the single medium approach, Richard uses “white charcoal” which, while technically not that substance, nevertheless behaves like it.
The book is based around a series of demonstrations that cover a good range of subjects from still lifes to wildlife, figures, landscapes and seascapes. Each one requires a different technical approach and this is where you’ll learn the more detailed skills. As well as traditional sticks, Richard also works with compressed charcoal and charcoal pencils.
Even if you don’t think, at the end of it, that you’d want to work in charcoal on its own, you’ll nevertheless be impressed and surprised by its versatility and be ready – eager even – to incorporate it in your drawing armoury.
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