Charcoal Pencils for Beginners - Simple Still Life

Join me in this full charcoal pencils tutorial designed with newcomers in mind. This is a full step-by-step lesson so download the reference photos below, check the materials list, and follow along!
MATERIALS YOU'LL NEED
Dark/black charcoal pencil (best to have a couple to work between).
- White charcoal pencil.
- Any mid-toned drawing paper (I use a mid-grey drawing paper by Strathmore so it doesn't t have to be pastel paper). A tan colour would work well too.
- Paper bending stump.
Craft knife and sanding block (or piece of sandpaper) to sharpen pencils.
I mention a photo editor in the video for those who don't have a Mac, iPad or photo software. Go here: pixlr.com/editor/
REFERENCE PHOTOS
1) Reference photo: art-tutor.s3.a...
2) High-contrast reference photo: art-tutor.s3.a...
3) My finished artwork: art-tutor.s3.a...
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[@PhilDaviesArtist]

Any issues with downloading the reference photos, please let me know in a reply here. The coloured pencils lesson photos have been fixed too. 👍

[@petervalcanas4219]

I really liked this and am almost finished with it. It's actually coming out better then expected. Hope to see more from you. Thanks Phil!

[@clair-rachael]

Really enjoyed doing this thank you 😊

[@poppy7605]

Brilliant tutorial.

[@jammuna1]

Such a great tutorial

[@amymabbott8738]

His teching technique is very helpful as he describes where his eye goes, angle check tips, and questions to help you evaluate .

[@smoothsketch]

re 'exciting subject to draw', those that have the urge to make art find watching the paint dry fascinating, and any mark or value shift in charcoal is going to be entertaining, and will catch and hold the eye for quite some time.

[@MrGeovik]

Thank you Phil . really interesting lesson 👍

[@valeriegehling4358]

Really enjoyed this as my 1st. charcoal drawing. Good fun! Thanks.

[@Jeannine754]

Happy that my YT rabbit hole led to this. I was taught to do mid tones first, then darks, lightest lights last. Granted, that was using white paper, so do you change your order of application over white paper? Thanks for a great still life tutorial! J

[@jacimuzamel6169]

THANK YOU!! While my apple looks more like a peach(HAHAHA) I'm happy!

[@evan4348]

How do I know which of the grades of lead, such as B5 for example or 2B, and which grade is suitable for this area of ​​the shadow and which is not?

[@PhilDaviesArtist]

I don't use any graphite pencils in this one - just a charcoal pencil. Charcoal pencils can come in different shades (grey, black etc) and different strengths (light, medium, dark). In this lesson, I use a dark black charcoal pencil from Derwent but any brand will work.