The Essential Charcoal Drawing Kit That You Need

My first attempt at charcoal drawing left my hands blackened, my paper torn, and my confidence shaken. It wasn’t until I discovered the proper tools that I began to understand charcoal’s extraordinary potential. The velvety darkness of vine charcoal, the precision of compressed charcoal pencils, and the transformative effect of proper blending tools opened up new creative possibilities. After thirty five years of working with this versatile medium, I’m sharing the exact charcoal drawing kit essentials that have become indispensable in my studio practice.

Charcoal Drawing Kit List:

What Drawing Paper Best For Charcoal Drawing:

Choosing a proper paper with a good amount of tooth (texture) to hold the charcoal well will make your creativity much easier to have a beautiful charcoal drawing. Newsprint pads are affordable and great for practice, while pastel paper works well for more finished pieces.

Which One You Should Use: Willow Or Vine Charcoal:

These soft charcoals are great for beginners. They are easy to erase and ideal for creating light tones. Willow charcoal is particularly smooth, while vine charcoal is more uniform in texture.

 What Is Compressed Charcoal:

This type of charcoal produces darker marks and is useful for adding depth to your drawings. It’s harder to erase than willow or vine charcoal, making it suitable for final details.

Charcoal Drawing Pencils:

These pencils provide precision for fine details and are available in various hardness levels. They are excellent for controlled lines and small adjustments in your artwork.

Charcoal Drawing Kneaded Eraser:

An indispensable tool for charcoal drawing, a kneaded eraser can be shaped to lift charcoal without damaging the paper. It’s perfect for creating highlights and softening edges.

Charcoal Drawing Blending Stumps (Tortillons):

These tools are used to blend and smooth out charcoal marks, helping to create gradients and softer transitions in your work.

Charcoal Drawing Paper Towels or Rags:

Useful for cleaning your hands and the drawing surface, paper towels can also be used to smudge or blend charcoal lightly.

Charcoal Drawing Sandpaper:

A sanding block helps sharpen the ends of your charcoal sticks to a fine point, allowing for more precise application.

Charcoal Drawing Drafting Brush:

This small brush is ideal for removing excess charcoal dust from your paper without smudging your work.

Charcoal Drawing Fixative Spray:

After completing a drawing, a workable fixative can help preserve it and prevent smudging. Be cautious as some fixatives may slightly darken the charcoal.