Q&A for How to Draw With Charcoal

Use charcoal on paper with a rough texture. Papers with rough textures have little bumps and grooves that are too small to see, but they catch the charcoal and hold it in place.

it's the exact same medium, except in different forms. Charcoal pencils are just easier to handle and keep the charcoal from getting all over your hands. They can also be sharpened.

Use a kneaded eraser so you wont have little things to brush away that could smudge the drawing.

Workable Fixatif by Krylon is a popular option. Always spray in an open area, as the fumes can be harmful.

A thin-tipped one for small areas -- H or HB. Use 6B for larger areas (this one will smudge more easily and will bunt more rapidly, though). A 6B will be slightly darker, even from the same box or kit, but overall darkness in your shading really depends on the pressure from your hand.

You can try stores that sell crafting supplies, like Hobby Lobby or Pat Catan's.

It is pure carbon. Similar to graphite and diamond in being pure carbon, but they all have different arrangements of the carbon atoms.

Vine charcoal is good because it marks lightly but blends easily. Make sure you use compressed charcoal for dark areas.

It depends on the quality of the charcoal.

Not very long. Try putting it in a sealed frame so the glass will cover it.

Unless you can find colored charcoal, which I don't think exists, your drawing will always be black and whatever color paper you chose. If you want different colors, use something other than charcoal.

Vine charcoal will erase better than other charcoals since it's so light. You can blend easily with your finger or a paper towel to not get too dirty.

Fixative is a substance used to fix or stabilize something. In use of some artistic materials, fixative is used to fix the material to the medium that is being used. For example, if you are using pastel or charcoal, at the end of your work you would spray fixative so that you don't smudge the work, and it will help to extend the life of the work.

You may be able to get away with it. It really depends on the quality of the charcoal. In most cases, however, you should try to get a fixative.

It can be, just make sure you're using the instructions that apply to using charcoal. If you don't you may end up with a smudged, sloppy look. At first, charcoal can be hard to use but the results are great!

You can use charcoal without an easel. However, it is the possibility of smudging easier, so keep that in mind as you sketch.