Charcoal and Acrylic on Canvas Demonstration

This how I use both charcoal and acrylic paint on the same piece. I'm still occasionally trying new things and that makes the creation process fun and exciting. Also sometimes a little nerve wracking. Check it out and I hope you enjoy watching. Thanks!
Reference photograph by Jason Loftus.
Prints will be available at joelpilcherart.com.

[@Godswillmpofu]

Perfect masterclas

[@theemclane4037]

You ate a really good man for taking your time to make such content for us. May the work of your hands be blessed Sir!

[@benteborghill7233]

Thank you! I'm learning so much ❤

[@secondwind75]

That’s one majestic looking bull there, Joel. I’m really liking your mixed medium look you’ve developed/continue to develop with your work. An artist wants to distinguish their work from others, obviously, and your style is one of the most unique. I’m a huge fan of your color palate with the earth tones, and also with the subjects you choose. Love the wildlife, especially the wolves and bison. To be honest, if I were a wealthy man I’d purchase every one of your original pieces before they were dry! But for now, please continue with these videos. It’s a pleasure to watch you create. You can tell how good someone is at their craft by how easy they make it look. It’s almost hypnotic! Lol. Thanks, Joel. Troy

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thanks Troy! I really appreciate your support and encouragement.

[@paullopez2990]

Awesome work!

[@nalinsuchak3125]

Talking and workingto gather helps me. Inspiring experiment

[@BorisHrzenjak]

really liked the way charcoal and acrylic mixed together, gonna try it myself :D

[@christophermorrisseystudios]

Awesome! I want to try experimenting with acrylic and charcoal now!

[@LizB55]

Magic watching your process. Thank you 🙏

[@welshwitch7742]

I've never seen these 2 combined before, so interesting and it looks amazing!

[@Rannerdale]

Thanks Joe. Learned a lot just from this one video. Great work!

[@MrJvieira72]

Great work. I appreciate learning about the method.

[@jhb61249]

Thanks for sharing Joe. Have a good day.

[@Archetype73]

Joel - I am a figurative artist. I am very very fortunate to have found my teacher Roberto Altmann in Genova Italy to help me. He was a student of Pietro Annigoni which is the exact artwork and style that resonates with me. I want to say I greatly enjoy watching your work and process and it makes me see other Artists who LOVE what they do! Continued success for many many more years to come! Very inspiring for others. Thanks- Frank P. Fiametta III……I follow you on Instagram…

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you, Frank!!

[@kathleenwalton3311]

oh my Bob that's awesome!

[@barbarawainscott6136]

Love the dramatic presentation of your work! Not just another bison painting.

[@lindastevenson6642]

thank you so kind that is my favit animal

[@mixedmediamindset]

So cool. Great work!

[@rhondaadams4013]

Wow! That is very unique. I love it!

[@hello3146]

Wow. Unique and beautifully appropriate to wildlife subject matter.

[@darceyclapp4777]

I learn so much watching your vudeo

[@GammahRae]

Dope 🙏🏾🙏🏾💙 thanks for this..this is going to really elevate my charcoal art.. And you are nice to look at..thanks for that too 😇

[@TheSunWithin]

That's really impressive. I've been looking for more charcoal tips. Thanks!

[@donnabuckley5137]

Your art is absolutely stunning!

[@susanwilson2297]

Wow...just incredibly powerful and stunning. Thank you for this; amazing artist you are. 🙌🙏🔥😊🇨🇦

[@christinachwyl8166]

Beautiful piece and process! Thanks for sharing.

[@dare2dreamkj]

Thank you SO much! I have learned so much!✝️👏🏻🤍☺️

[@debbieritter1096]

Love watching your unique technique- Thank you for sharing!

[@nadirshakh_art]

Execellent artwork👏

[@christyboulter]

Thank you so much for sharing your process. I love charcoal and acrylic. I can’t wait to try charcoal on canvas and maybe mix in some acrylics too!!! Your work is truly beautiful

[@edmundandrada]

Absolutely amazing man! Love that combination of medium!

[@anick6265]

Wow! So much talent!

[@augustogiron9892]

Well well done. Lovely.

[@xyoungblood]

I had a college art teacher tell me to use water with acrylic to make a wash for underpainting 30 years ago. After 30 years the science says to use a medium, I use golden airbrush medium for thinning paints to a watery-wash consistency. The reason water is shunned is that it separates the acrylic polymer and creates an unstable base for the rest of the painting, eventually, your painting may peel from the canvas. On a different note, you made me want to try charcoal on canvas. I especially liked your video on how to affix the charcoal permanently.

[@ennymeerwaldt3564]

Love your work, it is amazing.

[@rudolphbissessar1308]

The best of the best wow wow wow

[@tanyaingram1153]

that's amazing. love your technique!!

[@leanneslater7379]

You're so relatable 😊. Amazing 👏

[@annmperkins9140]

That came out really good love watching your video I learn slot from it thank you

[@deniseshaw3871]

Just Wow !!!!!!!!!

[@MOstix13]

Really outstanding work! Thank you!

[@trasingh5562]

STUNNING.......I LUUUUV IT.......

[@teressacooks7928]

I honestly thought you had painted a "one-eyed" bison until you put the cool wash over it😆, then it popped into focus. Came out great!

[@danaygdey3960]

Excellente 🎉

[@amandasymon4363]

Totally wow! Brilliant and so original 👊👌👏

[@watercolorhomie146]

That big fellow just about jumps out of your canvas... great work bro super cool

[@Handotr]

Love it. Glad I found your channel

[@arielmoore4233]

Joel, I absolutely love your work! And I so appreciate your sharing exactly how you accomplished this beautiful piece. Years ago I started my art painting in acrylic and then moved to oil. I love how you have used acrylic to pull out the highlights in a way white charcoal would not. Thank you for this! I'm definitely going to try this. You are a gem and your videos are great!

[@sopringan7402]

This looks amazing! Thank Gad i found this vid. i did know one could use charcoal on canvas. Will definitely give it a try!!! 😬😬

[@birgitblume4980]

Gorgeous!!!

[@moondyk]

Stunning.

[@shuvoDhar.5537]

Beautiful 🤎🤎🤎🤎

[@albertobautista1032]

Wow!! Amazing work!!! thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed it

[@MionneMArt]

I really enjoyed this video

[@k.d.5786]

Hey! I learned a few cool things from your video. Thanks!

[@franz6734]

you are amazing it is a very good job!!!

[@robertmolnar9257]

Thanks for posting all these videos and explaining your steps along the way. It has helped me learn processes quicker in making my own pieces. I think I've watched every one of your videos, some several times. Once again thank you.

[@passerby1107]

Great stuff! Thanks for taking the time to film and share your knowledge.

[@peonieglow5005]

Fab technique.

[@williamtell7682]

Beautiful . Great work 👍

[@Soonerwrestle1]

Love these videos! Thank you!

[@ramonajansen4663]

I love your style and your work!!!

[@susanmillsart4469]

That was fascinating and absolutely brilliant! I had this question over using charcoal with acrylic (I'd tried once and it just ran - so great to know to use fixative!) I now feel I can have another try and experiment more. Thank you!

[@dominiquemartin9323]

Love your work, well done !

[@anneki76]

Absolutely beautiful 😮 watching from Norway

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you!

[@christinecharles-boutier3495]

Absolument Magnifique.👏👏👏💜

[@debsquires847]

Beautiful❤❤

[@kaygilbert8773]

Great painting and so interesting watching your process!

[@ankeshmbbs]

Man this is just so beautiful ❤!

[@andreikyzmin220]

How inspiring! Your work is great.

[@alexklette1138]

Amazing, as usual!!

[@kimberlybalekomoso9497]

Beautiful work and nice technique

[@janetferraroartstudio4234]

Wow, you are an amazing artist! I really enjoy your talent and passionate, kind presence. You are inspiring me to add a new twist to my drawings. Thank you!

[@rebeccahauschild7006]

Your work is amazing. I am just starting to use liquid charcoal. I understand when you say you are at a point in the piece and a little intimidated to try a new step. Thank you for taking the time to share your work!

[@carriebergen6381]

Very nice technique....impressive and love the results!

[@armandosrd.l9610]

Love this bison 😮

[@ImjaTse6189]

What an amazing piece of art. Thank you for sharing this. Greetings from Germany!

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you very much!

[@Hellsing666LLL]

I love it

[@mollyvandeleest1199]

I love watching all these videos. I’ve wanted to experiment on canvas but not sure about the fixative process or varnishing.

[@rafaelcastro5632]

Awesome info sir

[@Flux_One]

Spraying acetone with no mask. You crazy! 😮

[@michaelannfitzgerald8742]

Fabulous!

[@helenkoomen4020]

Really beautifull!

[@ROBarrelHorse]

I love your work and the subjects you paint.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you!

[@ceeceeclarke3620]

Lovely

[@dicoperpernitesartstravelv4090]

Great works sir

[@ThePeterCompton]

Phenomenal. I’ve been following you on Instagram for a while and thought man I’d love to see a breakdown of how you work, so I came here and was not disappointed. Amazing work.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you!!

[@shawnparker80]

Fantastic job Joel!!

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thanks!

[@loniwulff1151]

Hey Joel, I absolutely love this! Have you considered doing a full length tutorial video with all the steps and selling it? I for one would purchase it.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I might have to try that sometime. Thanks!

[@i.leh.3725]

Wirklich wunderschön. Ich war richtig gespannt auf das Resultat! Weiter so.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you!

[@patmaranithilaganathan3058]

Hi Joel. I am so excited to have found this video! my passion is the lushness of charcoal as well and the verserlity of acrylic. I recently completed a project using bothe these mediums but i layered it with an acrylic binder after using a fixtive on the charcoal. would love your input on this Thank you

[@conchitasandau]

Awesome work! I wonder if you've ever tackled a black animal and how you worked that out witht hr highlights, lightsource and how you'd create depth with that.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I have, and for darker subjects I leave the background lighter for contrast. Thanks!

[@deanrodenbeck7102]

Again a marvelous creation with an angry bison ready for a fight. My son-in-law and I were able to hunt bison in Alaska and he was lucky enough to fill his tag with a huge bull. You really can not imagine their immense size until you put your hands on them. You have captured every wrinkle and crease in its facial expression especially the wire like hair. Great job!

[@garmallinson2351]

Impressive!

[@PJ-wt2zo]

Wowwwww!!!

[@patjonker6576]

New sub! Love yr work.

[@Bobasketches]

Lovely piece! You are very skilled, so happy to have found your channel! I use alcohol to create textures/abstraction on my initial washes, I’ve never thought about acetone. I wonder if there’s a difference or if it just evaporates faster? I’ll have to give it a try.

[@jamespage4141]

Would you please publish your coming workshops? I would hope you’d consider coming to OKC when 1st Nations has their art festival or Cowboy Hall of Fame for a workshop.

[@darceyclapp4777]

Thank you. I wear a mask when adding charcoal powder. In Canada, the powder is considered toxic. Take care.

[@meredithboswell4003]

Brilliant