Step by Step - Charcoal sketching of a tree my way

I had this image of a tree trunk on my ipad since very long and I finally decided to create a charcoal sketching of the same on FABRIANO ACADEMIA paper. It is an acid free paper and I already mentioned in my last post that I use it for both charcoal and pencil medium. It has an amazing texture and it adds to the character of the subject especially if I am creating a tree.

Also I made a deliberate attempt to remember photographing the images as my work progressed.

1.     The size of the paper is 5.5" X 7". I did a very rough outline of the tree trunk in the first 

        stage as shown below using a HB pencil.

2. Next I used my charcoal tools and pencils to add the tonal values and the darkest tones to 

    establish depth. I also blended the strokes at places. The background was kept hazy and I 

    used a soft cloth to cover the distance. The foreground was similarly created by using

    cloth and blending tools.

3. At this stage I used more of my charcoal pencils namely Camel charcoal pencil and

    General charcoal pencil to create the details like small outgrowths, barks and other 

    twisted shapes, bark strokes etc. I also added few strokes in foreground to create grassy 

    effect. The source of light is from the right direction so I used eraser and kneaded putty 

    to create the highlights.

4. In the final stages I keep the sketch at a distance and evaluate. I keep it aside for a day 

    to look back at it the next day with FRESH MIND and EYES so I can redo the fine 

    touch up ie adding few details, the dark and light values, creating wild grassy growth 

    in foreground etc. At some point then I decide to call it an end as overworking, I have

   realised can cause more harm than good.

The Knotted tree trunk

Charcoal sketching on Fabriano Academia paper

Size 5.5" X 7" 

I have a big collection of charcoal pencils of different brands which I picked up from different 

in an attempt to try it out for its darkness and quality. I have not had the time to try

all of them but among the ones that I have given a try, I find Camel , Primo and

pretty satisfying for my work. Very soon I will try and photograph

the other tools as well and write a post about it.

The Papers I use for my charcoal drawings

"Drawing is the discipline by which I constantly discover the world." Frederick Franck

I have been using the charcoal medium for long number of years. Over a period of time and having experimented with a variety of surfaces, I finally zeroed in on a selected few which are now my favorites. It is not that these are the only papers that go best for charcoal medium but for my kind of work and technique I have personally found them good. Each artist has his/her personal likes and dislikes. One has to keep trying out something new.

The papers I use these days are

• Canson C a grain paper. I came across this paper in 2004 and have used it for pencil as well as charcoal works. It has two sides and both sides have slightly different textures. I purchased my full size sheets from Singapore but this paper is easily available in India. Art Lounge at Churchgate keeps all different kinds of Canson papers.

          I use a 220 gsm sheet but 120 sheet is equally good in the beginning.

Charcoal work of Coorg landscape done on Canson C a grain paper

 ( Created on Dec 22nd 2014 )

• Fabriano Academia paper. After having used Canson paper I was looking out for some new paper when I came across Fabriano Academia pad of 50 sheets. ( 120 gsm ). It was different from Canson C a grain, nevertheless the sandy textured surface helped in creating beautiful charcoal strokes. I have been using this paper since the last four to five years and am pretty satisfied with the results.

Charcoal sketching on Fabriano Academia paper

( Created in June 2015 )

• Strathmore paper. This paper was recommended to me by a friend who is into art and presently resides in USA. I was keen on using this paper so very recently got a Strathmore pad via a friend and after using it for my landscape works, realised that it is a definite yes for my kind of works. 

         The paper as shown in the image can be used for soft pastels as well but my soft pastel 

         paintings are generally done on toned paper. 

Charcoal sketching of a scene from Bharatpur created on

Strathmore paper.

 ( Created on 24th june 2015 )

       

So in all presently I use only these three surfaces for my charcoal works but at the same time I 

          I am open to new papers. You never know until you try. May be in future when my

 technique evolves I would want to shift some new surface, some new paper but until 

then probably I confine myself to these three brands.

Another one hour charcoal sketch on Fabriano Academia paper

The last two charcoal sketches I made using willow charcoal were on cartridge sheet. This time I decided to use a sheet from Fabriano Academia pad. The fabriano paper has a texture on it and it gives a different look to the artwork.

Regarding the subject, I randomly selected a phtograph with mountains, rocks, slopes with grasses etc. ( Matheran ) Limiting my time to one hour ( size 5" X 7" ) I went ahead using willow charcoal and in addition all existing charcoal pencils in my collection, to create this work. It is a study work and therefore I did not concentrate too much on details. Just wanted to check out which pencil goes best with willow charcoal work. Sketching mountains and rocks is a lot different from doing trees and foliage. The movement of pencil and scribbling etc , its a different learning experience altogether.

Charcoal sketching ( A study work )

Created on Fabriano Academia paper
© Manju Panchal