Short Info & History
Charcoal painting is a new painting technique characterized by diverse artistic expressions. The history of using charcoal as a painting medium is ancient and dates back at least 30,000 years. Modern charcoal drawing began in the 17th century. Notable artists who utilized charcoal as a primary medium include Albrecht Durer, Robert Longo, William Kentridge, and Dan Pyle.
Composition
Charcoal sticks are primarily made from charcoal powder, such as burned willow or grapevine, and a binding agent like wax or gum. Some charcoal sticks are made without binders by removing the oxygen from the charcoal powder during the manufacturing process.
Charcoal is a brittle, dry art medium composed of finely crushed organic ingredients held together by a gum or wax binder, or produced without binders by removing oxygen from the material during the manufacturing process.
Specific Properties
Charcoal can produce exceptionally brilliant or strong black lines, which are difficult to remove entirely. Using charcoal allows artists to explore higher contrast and develop visually rich toned artworks. Charcoal pencils are popular among artists for their versatile properties, such as a scratchy texture that leaves a less permanent impression than other visual art media.
Key Features
Since charcoal, especially powdered charcoal or charcoal sticks, is a dry medium, it can be applied to almost any surface, from smooth to very rough. Fixatives are frequently used in charcoal drawings to harden the position and prevent dust from being erased or rubbed off. Using white charcoal pencils or white powdered charcoal along with black charcoal can provide more versatile outputs.
Surface or Media
Charcoal can be applied to almost any surface, from smooth to coarse, such as paper, wood, canvas, etc. Similar to pencil sketching, the most commonly used surface for charcoal painting is paper.
Other Specialities
The quality of paper used for charcoal varies. For instance, rough textured paper holds more charcoal, while higher contrast can be achieved when using charcoal with oil pastels.
Professional artists use various forms of charcoal, including sticks, crayons, powder, and pencils. Sticks, also known as compressed charcoal, can be firm or soft, producing bright or dark lines depending on their hardness. Charcoal pencils, developed by caricaturists in the 19th century, are made of compressed charcoal enclosed in a wooden jacket and are commonly used for fine, crisp, and detailed sketching. Charcoal powders are used to create patterns and for pouncing, a technique of transferring patterns from one surface to another.
Toxicity and Vegan-Friendly Considerations
Most fixatives used in charcoal art are toxic. Additionally, many color pigments, such as brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds, are derived from toxic materials like cadmium. Some pastel colors employ oil or fat as a binder, and since these may contain animal fats, they are not suitable for vegans.
Conclusion
Charcoal painting, dark sketching, and shading techniques offer artists versatile and expressive mediums. The rich history and diverse properties of charcoal make it an appealing choice for creating dynamic and textured artworks. Proper care and consideration of the materials used can enhance the longevity and safety of the artworks.
GranNino offers free charcoal painting hosting or storing via its application. You can learn more about their services and explore the offerings on their GranNino. This platform provides artists with unlimited storage, online art galleries, and social features to connect with other artists and art lovers.
The image credit goes to Artist Pratikshaa, Check here to see her all artworks.
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