Charcoal Drawing Boot Camp: Tools, Techniques, Tips for Beginners

Welcome to Charcoal Drawing Boot Camp: Tools, Techniques, Tips for Beginners.

In this class you will learn how (and why!) to draw with charcoal, the original - and ancient - art supply (which also happens to be my all-time favourite medium).

You will have fun while building skills in how to use drawing charcoal (willow or vine), as well as learning my no-fail process for how to logically build up a drawing. We will demystify and explore its modern close cousins compressed charcoal, white charcoal, and more. You'll also learn about charcoal’s history, try techniques you have never seen before, mixed media integration, preserving the finished art, and so much more.

Charcoal... It's my all-time favourite medium. Seriously. You could take my paints and inks forever and I'd be happy with a case of burnt wood. It is my first choice material for figuring out most projects I start. I have truly wanted to make this class for years just so I can share this passion.

---> This class is not another typical fine art techniques class... oh, no no. We're studying the subject in a modern way( not a Roman bust in sight) and giving you the key skills you need to master this simple, approachable, material, with exercises that will have you creating fresh, expressive, and competent charcoal art in no time.

• History and Inspiration: check.

• Know your papers and drawing materials: check.

• Value Scales and how to use them: check.

• Erasing, blending, and techniques you may never have seen: check.

• Mixed media inspiration: check.

• Preserving and fixative advice: check.

• Bonus practice with references that don't suck: check.

• How I make my own charcoal, from cutting to cooking: check.

Oh my goodness, we have so much to do. My Boot Camp classes are all about the hard work for lasting skills that will serve you throughout your art practice.

You will have never seen an art fundamentals class like it. Join me, Jen Dixon, for this Charcoal Drawing Boot Camp crash course, and prepare to fall in love with your new favourite drawing medium: charcoal.