Two of my favorite drawing tools
Two of my favorite drawing tools
The Flexibility of Vine Charcoal
In art school, I learned how to draw the figure with charcoal. As an eighteen-year-old kid, I didn’t have much experience with this medium but soon discovered its wonderful flexibility. Basically, there are three types of vine charcoal: Soft, Medium, and Hard.
Most often, I choose to use the medium hardness. It allows me to achieve rich darks with ease and draw both hard and soft edges. I start every painting by drawing out my design with charcoal because it can be wiped off very easily. If I draw a painting out late in the day, I can still adjust the drawing the next morning when my eyes are fresh. It is amazing how a fresh perspective can reveal design flaws. Unlike paint, which dries and leaves little room for adjustment, charcoal offers total flexibility. Do not be afraid of the charcoal showing through; it will disappear once you start applying paint over it.
The Power of 8B and 9B Pencils
Of course, a pencil is my other favorite drawing tool. Did you know the history of the pencil goes all the way back to Roman times? I read they were called styluses and used lead cores. Who knew!
My all-time favorite pencil hardness is 8B. I can get amazing darks with this pencil, plus sketch very soft values. I have found that a 2B will not do the job as well as my "superhero" 8B. If I can get my hands on a 9B, I will grab those quickly too. The only thing to note is that the softer the lead, the more easily it will break. I think it is worth the trial and error, though.
When you frequent your favorite art store and see an 8B or 9B, I suggest stocking up because they are usually out of stock. I have started to order boxes online so I am never without them.
Final Thoughts on Artistic Growth
These are my favorites, but by all means, do not stop drawing if you can’t locate these exact tools. I have used pens in a bind before. The point to strive for is to always build on your skills, learn from your mistakes, and be eager to fulfill your goals. I live my art career knowing it is a marathon, not a sprint.
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