Free Art Lessons #6: How to do Charcoal Portraits?

 I have visited my uncle's wake and I was reunited with my cousins.  As we did some catching up with one another, I shared my blog.  It was great to hear encouragement from families.  Along our journey as artist or learning to become one, we may encounter challenges which may bring your enthusiasm down.  Don't be!  Find friends and family members to share your passion for arts.

When I arrived home, I searched for raw materials that I have edited and worked on it.  So here goes our free lesson on art -- How to make charcoal portraits?

Here are the materials that you will need:

• Granite pencil (HB or even ordinary pencils will do)
• Drawing paper (The thicker one. I uses a sketch pad 160 g/m2
• Charcoal pencils
• Sand paper
• Kneaded eraser
• Dry brush with medium soft bristles
• Paper Stump Spreader

Step 1.  In the following video, you will see that I already made a sketch using granite pencil.  Start drawing first the feature of the face as have been taught on previous topics. 

Step 2.  When you already have a sketch of the face, we will proceed with shadowing using the paper stump spreader and a powdered charcoal pencil.  First, prepare the powdered charcoal.  Get a sand paper and rub on it the lead of the charcoal pencil.  You don't need to transfer the powder on new containers.  What I do is once there's enough powder on the sandpaper, you may start shadowing by dipping your paper stump on the powder lightly.

Step 3.  With light pressure, you may start spreading the charcoal using the paper stump spreader. My tip is that you start with the main features like the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and lips, then work your way out to the shape of the face.  Don't start with the hair yet because it will need a lot of charcoal and you may mess up your drawing as the charcoal sticks to the palm of your hands.

Step 4.  For the lighter parts of the face, use dry brush to spread charcoal coming from what you have placed on the drawing.  I don't dip my brush on the powder charcoal.  I just use it to spread what has been placed on the paper.

Step 5.  For highlights, use your kneaded eraser to lift off some lead from the drawing.  You can shape your kneaded eraser to create finer details.  Do not rub heavily so as not to destroy the paper.

Step 6.  For wider parts and less detailed parts of your portrait, you may use your fingers to spread the charcoal.  Do it lightly and do not rub it heavily on the paper.  Also, make sure that your hands are clean and free of oil or water.

Step 7.  For the final details, for parts that must be well defined, you may use your sharpened charcoal pencil to draw over finer lines i.e. lashes or nose line.

Watch the video above for the demo.  It is in Filipino but there's an English subtitle.  

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Have a great day!