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. Using spray fixative to preserve the drawings will also be covered, and required. 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.

Note: 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.

Supply List:
- Coates Willow Charcoal Medium - available here
- 18”x24” charcoal pad - available here (a sketch or drawing pad may be substituted)
- Kneaded eraser - available here
- Blending stumps - available here
- Pink eraser - available here
- Workable matte fixative - available here

Optional supplies:
- Coates Extra Thick Willow Charcoal Stick - available here
- Drawing board with clips - available here (This is useful for drawing at home. Boards and clips will be available for use in class.)
- Mechanical pencil style eraser - available here
- Chamois Cloth - available here (This optional tool erases and blends charcoal. We will discuss it on the first day of class.)
- Sketchbook - available here (This sketchbook is a recommended good value but other sizes or styles can work. We will discuss selecting and using a sketchbook on the first day of class.)