Drawing: Light & Shade (Charcoal)

This class will focus on making the appearance of realistic form in drawings through depicting areas of light and shade. Charcoal can be a bold, exciting mark making tool that can also make subtle value shifts and edges. Value drawings in charcoal can have a satisfying, convincing quality, but the easily changeable nature of the medium can also lead to technical challenges that we will discuss and troubleshoot in class.

In this class we will work from direct observation of still life using vine or willow charcoal in additive and subtractive techniques. Our focus will be on exploring the fall of light on form. Using spray fixative will be discussed, and is required to preserve the drawings. We will also discuss optional skill building exercises to do outside of class. Throughout the class we will repeat procedures, building or reinforcing patience, to help students begin to make this wonderful skill set their own. 

This class may be useful for students who are exploring making art for fun or recreation, or for those with potential professional aspirations.

PREREQUISITE: In order to get the most out of the class students should have experience taking a beginning drawing class and some familiarity with the practices of proportional measuring and construction line drawing.

SUPPLIES: The following supplies or their equivalent are recommended for this class. If you have questions or concerns about purchasing supplies, please let us know prior to the class start.

NOTE: Bloomington Fine Art Supply, a local, independent art store located at 207 S. Rogers Street near the corner of 4^th and Rogers Streets, has a copy of this list and will put together a kit of all the class supplies for you to pick up in their store. They are offering a 15% discount on your purchase of supplies on this list. Bloomington Fine Art Supply’s website is bfasupply.com, their phone number is 812-369-4013, and their email is bfa.supply@gmail.com.

Required
- Vine or Willow Charcoal Soft 6-12 Sticks
- White Charcoal Pencil
- Charcoal Pencil
- Strathmore 500 Series 18”x24” white charcoal pad (Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Pad may be substituted for this)
- Kneaded eraser
- Pink eraser
- Artist’s brush, approx. 3/8”-1/2” wide, filbert (preferred) or flat (May be #4 or #6)
- Workable fixative

Optional
- Extra Thick Vine or Willow Charcoal Stick  – 1-4 sticks
- Mechanical pencil style eraser – Tombow Mono round or rectangular
- Drawing board with clips and large rubber band approx. 20”x26” (This is useful for drawing at home. Drawing boards and clips will be available for use in class.)
- Blending stumps
- Chamois Cloth (This optional tool erases and blends charcoal. Do not purchase it at an automotive supply store! We will discuss it on the first day of class.)
- Sketchbook - 9”x12” suggested