What is Charcoal and How to Use It

In this 4-part series, artist Ken Goshen demonstrates how to begin drawing with charcoal.

𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝟭: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁
In the first video Ken talks about what charcoal is and how it differs from other drawing mediums like pencils. Many students falter when trying to use charcoal early on because they try to use it like pencil. The key to mastering charcoal is not to use it like a pencil, but rather in ways that play to its strengths.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM8MHEk7doo

𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝟮: 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀
In video 2, you'll learn about charcoal supplies and when to use them. We'll do a deep dive into paper, erasers, and of course, charcoal sticks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDOvStbI4fs

𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝟯: 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀
In video 3, you'll learn how to begin drawing by using charcoal to create sketches. Ken will show a real-time demo while he explains why charcoal makes the perfect medium for sketching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWhQBZDfbG4&t=60s

𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝟰: 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
Finally in the video 4, Ken will use charcoal and previously learned techniques to show you how to tackle ambitious drawings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx5pZolwGRk

MATERIALS:
► Lyra Willow Charcoal
► Lyra Rembrandt Charcoal Pencils:
https://www.fila.it/int/en/products/?_brand=16396
► Lyra Kneadable Eraser:
https://www.fila.it/int/en/product/lyra-kneadable-eraser/
► Strathmore 300 Series Charcoal Paper:
https://www.strathmoreartist.com/draw-charcoal/300-series-charcoal.html
► Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper:
https://www.strathmoreartist.com/draw-charcoal/id-500-series-charcoal.html

See more from Ken on his Instagram page and on YouTube:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kengoshen/
YouTube: @Ken Goshen