Comments on: The Secrets to Drawing – Charcoal

By: matt

matt — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 13:59:51 +0000

Hi Meenakshi,

Any of the well known brands of charcoal will do. I like General’s products, but with charcoal, there’s not a broad spectrum of quality.

By: Meenakshi Roy

Meenakshi Roy — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 01:17:05 +0000

Hi Matt, Are there any specific brands of vine charcoal that you would recommend? What about charcoal pencil brands?

By: CANDACE MORGAN

CANDACE MORGAN — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 12:24:06 +0000

In reply to Salvador Esparza.

I just watched the charcoal module and then tried the apple exercise. The result was surprisingly good for a first attempt with charcoal. I loved working with this messy medium!

Your lessons are addicting. I just joined a week ago and find myself going through as many videos as I can fit into the day. What a great teacher you are – very precise, organized and easy to follow. This is a life changer for a 75 year-old retired teacher who was playing far too many computer games before I found The Virtual Instructor.
Thank you.

By: matt

matt — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 13:59:49 +0000

In reply to Tracey Child. Hi Tracey, Thanks! For whatever reason, the graphite behaves differently from the charcoal. The charcoal seems to resist the oils from our skin, but graphite is another story.

By: Tracey Child

Tracey Child — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 13:56:46 +0000

Hi Matt, just wondering about the oil in your skin, in previous videos you have mentioned that rubbing your finger over pencil drawing will leave an oil mark, this doesn’t seem to apply to charcoal?
Regards Tracey
PS. Loving everything your teaching us

By: matt

matt — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 19:34:54 +0000

In reply to Salvador Esparza.

Hi Salvador,

Charcoal can be used for drawing any subject. It can definitely be used for portraits. Here’s a look at using charcoal with portraits…http://thevirtualinstructor.com/how-to-draw-portrait-charcoal.html

By: Salvador Esparza

Salvador Esparza — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 19:29:37 +0000

Is charcoal used mostly for landscapes ?? Can it be used for drawing people?

By: matt

matt — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 18:48:59 +0000

In reply to Marc Sanders.

Hi Marc,

Not sure how it may effect the skin, but it’s definitely not good to inhale. Charcoal will always smudge unless you apply fixative. I typically don’t apply fixative because it affects the values. But if smudging is a big concern, then fixative may be the best option for you. I would look for “Final Fixative” – you can usually find it at the local art store with the drawing supplies.

By: Marc Sanders

Marc Sanders — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 18:48:02 +0000

My questions may be naive but I’m a beginner to drawing and art. Is there any concern on the effects charcoal may have on the skin? Also, will a fixative or finish keep the charcoal from smudging after the drawing is completed or does the charcoal become permanent on its own? If a fixative is needed, do you recommend any particular kind or brand? I have a can of Krylon Low Odor Clear Finish; will that work okay? Thank you.

By: matt

matt — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 15:28:36 +0000

In reply to Donna Bradley. Absolutely Donna! Thanks for your comment!