Charcoal Drawing Tutorial (Complete Beginners Guide!)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Let me know about any other charcoal tutorials you would like in the comments! If you still struggle with your drawing try this next: Drawing Tutorial (AVOID these 10 Beginners' Mistakes!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmrWd2yhequYhM0

[@artatjules]

Have you tried a shammy for blending charcoal? It really works well

[@valeriegehling4358]

Thanks for good video lots of tips! Thanks

[@sweetbb125]

You can also wrap a small piece of aluminium foil from the kitchen around a small part of the charcoal stick so that your fingers stay cleaner.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Great tip!

[@ppmppm7010]

That's no fun 😂

[@rdstewart2253]

Thank you Michelle. You always give important details that others often omit!

[@junethiel632]

as a professional calligrapher, I learned to use a sturdy acetate sheet to cover my lettering (in for instance an award)...lettering first, once ink has dried, cover all lettering with said acetate sheet. That way, I can have the entire piece in view as I add gilding and all the fine detail illumination. I follow this route with pastel sketches as well - for animal portraits, I usually do the eyes first, this gets set with fixative, then covered with acetate to protect but still see the eyes in context to the rest....LOVE your channel!

[@tradingpostfarms]

Now that I am a lot more confident in my watercolor technique I find myself more interested in adding mixed media. I really appreciated the paintings that's you showed us where you added charcoal. That was inspirational for sure. Thanks

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are very welcome!

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Hi Michelle....you have MIDAS touch!✨✨✨ Whatever topic you touch it turns into Gold! You have a very structured teaching for everything...I had seen so many of your videos...you have always had a systematic approach to anything. Superb 👌👌👌👌🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@connielester1641]

I’ve never used charcoal but this just might get me to try. Thanks so much! I love that you attempt to call things the way we do in America.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Most of the people who watch me are American. I will visit one day, finances and pandemics allowing :-)

[@paulgilbert2788]

I have a box of willow charcoal which I bought a long time ago i was never sure how to use them the proper way this video will help me get started with charcoal thankyou Michele.

[@carolpenn1155]

Well…although i am 2 years too late to the party I thank you for such a comprehensive tutorial of using charcoal.. you really are such a good teacher. Many thanks 👍

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Being late to parties is fashionable ;-)

[@PatriciaPageMosaicArtsCrafts]

Thanks Michele, I actually enjoyed using charcoal ever since school, I always felt like a great artist when I used it 🙄, dont know why I stopped. I have some stored away and the derwent charcoal pencils, certainly worth playing with. All the best to ya!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hi Patricia. Get them out again!

[@markdonovan1540]

Excellent information and tips from year of experience. I bought some charcoal a few months ago, but got in a mess with it. I haven't used them since. Having watched this video, I feel inspired to give them another go. I have some sketch drawing paper, so maybe that will be better for trying charcoal sketches for example. Thank you Michele.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful! More charcoal tutorials to come :-)

[@lvg2005]

Michelle, as always you covered all aspects on your tutorials, considering the problems and solutions of the media - in this case charcoal- wonderful! Love it!💖

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Wow, thank you!

[@ToughWitty]

I am just getting back after sometime thanks for taking the time to help out.

[@tarjaholmberg7073]

Thanks for a great video. I use charcoal on a toned paper to plan my watercolor paintings and also acrylics. When I´m ready to paint, I only use those drawings as my reference. Colors are usually on my memory already, but charcoal helps me to focus on the value.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yes it's fab for this!

[@susanbuckley1964]

This is a great video, jam-packed with really useful information and tips. Thank you!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sugansugan56]

You are such a great teacher- you explain things so well and know so many things that I need to know!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Happy to help!

[@pk3679]

Love all of the info you provided. I have been curious about charcoal for some time so this gives me everything to get started. Thank you

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Wonderful!

[@Katie-wv7gc]

Thank you for this information. I have a set of charcoal pencils but colored pencils and coloring books are my favorite. With your tips I might be brave enough to try charcoal pencils with them once in a while. I really want to learn watercolor so I will look forward to more of your lessons.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Katie!

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Michele. I'm going to need a rectangular bin. I'm always missing getting it all in my round one. It would make interesting textured trees if used on CP or rough watercolor under painting. Knarly spooky ones.😉💜

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Great idea!

[@roylathwell]

I love your tutorials and I would love to see more on charcoal sketching i.e landscape etc . I am relatively new to sketching and found your videos really interesting and easy to follow. I love the tips you share..

[@Alpha74SF5]

I would love to see a charcoal portrait.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hoping to do one soon!

[@ToughWitty]

Black pastel works great for back ground s also I know mixed media but it works well

[@annihilator45]

I love pastels and I've found Swiffer cloths to be amazing at keeping dust away from my workspace!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks, I don't know them will look up!

[@kendrah7926]

WOW! first time watching one of your videos. Really enjoyed how you explained everything in a very natural order. A friend suggested I should try charcoal so purchased some and realized I had no idea what to do with it. Now I know and and going to spend the rest of the day playing with it. Oh and as well will be watching other videos of yours. Thank you for being so clear about not only how to do things but what papers to use as well as other tools. Very informative.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@keithroy9217]

For storage, I use a standard artists portfolio with polythene pockets (available in most UK art shops). I lay the work face down on the acid free black inner and secure it with flat paper clips before slipping into the sleeve without smudging the drawing.

[@annihilator45]

I've subscribed, checked the thumbs up , and commented! I enjoy your program and I'm thankful you are doing these lessons!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Awesome, thank you!

[@jenniferlewter1596]

This is a WONDERFUL tutorial! THANK YOU, Michele!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@asokpatnaik8709]

Michele, you are every good at this - I am new to your channel and your authenticity and sincerity - besides obvious skill and experience in the field - is easy to see. Thanks for what you do.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Welcome aboard! And thank you!

[@stephaniegould430]

I loved your charcoal drawing tutorial, more, maybe portrait or landscape would be brilliant! Many thanks xx

[@cherylbrewer1218]

Thank you Michele very helpful indeed 😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are welcome!

[@indigogolf3051]

Thank you so much, that was way more informative than i expected. Great lesson.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cindylong2782]

New to your channel and it is quickly becoming my favorite! I subscribed recently. Charcoal and pencil has always been my favorites to work with. I am trying out watercolor now, which is how I found you. In the U.S. we use the terms cotton rounds, Q-tips or cotton swabs, paper towels and Kleenex or facial tissue.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for subscribing Cindy!

[@wcwindom56]

1st time watching and I already love 2 things within a few seconds. Your accent and that it's cat approved

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Very few channels have the approval of cats ;-)

[@greekveteran2715]

Daler Rowney Heavyweight (Fine grain) 200gr works great for both Charcoal and not bad for Polychromos, it's tooth is enough and it's surface isn't soft, so it's great for hard pencils like Faber Castell. Also takes a beating when erasing etc

[@philipdown3147]

Very intreguing video as you always explain the pro's and con's in your tutorials Michele, enjoyed this video as it's calmly explained how to create amazing images and keep less messy. Thanks greatly appreciated stay safe and healthy

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Phillip 🙂

[@estherwestcott9085]

I would love to see a tutorial on using charcoal for landscapes or something more in depth than another video of yours that showed a charcoal drawing of a woman’s face. This was an informative video but then yours always are!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Noted :-)

[@alina.kuptsova]

Thanks a lot! I love how you explain things!

[@carollycett1329]

Excellent tutorial lots of interesting tips 💐💐💐

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you!

[@JanetHadson-po2zr]

Keeping a damp hand towel nearby can help keep hands clean . Also Pitt graphite pencils are Matt and have no shine .

[@lvg2005]

I would love you to see is a tutorial of a colorful landscape( Italian village with houses and mountains) using color charcoal! thanks Michelle- I know you can do it😊!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Great suggestion!

[@rajivk.sharda]

Excellent, as always 🙏

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you!

[@Angela-jy8um]

Great information! Thanks for sharing!

[@yipper1100]

Part of me wants to experiment with all these new mediums to maybe find one that I might be a "natural" at -I seem to be good at shading, but when it comes to color, I can't even adjust the tint on my TV...everyone looks green...now everyone looks red...go back a bit...now everyone looks gray, type of thing.. So I may be a charcoal candidate.. I wanted to take my time and explore; but another part of me wants to get the Suffolk Landscape course right away; finish it, and then crawl into the picture and walk off, to go live in that chalet in the distance...with 2 pastel dogs in the dramatic looking yard...

[@lisah336]

Nice job. Good pacing.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks!

[@jillharper7456]

Thanks and love your ring!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Oh thank you!

[@sandralarsen5650]

Excellent! Very helpful 🙏

[@annetteperks]

I love your channel so helpful. Many thanks.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're very welcome!

[@waltereaton6404]

Invaluable!!!

[@tusharkarrie1599]

Tnx for this great video It'll help me a lot cause I'm beginner N i liked that ear buds technique I really needed such technique for lil effects So really very very thankyou for this video I'll go with other videos too Tnx

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My pleasure 😊

[@lynnswango8768]

Lots of good tips as usual!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks!

[@magdastar2249]

Great 👍 video Michele. Thank you sooo much and almost 50000. Yeah ❤🙏💐

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

So close! *bites nails in antici...pation*

[@sarahshaw5360]

Thank you xx

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem 😊

[@jumanas4012]

love your guidance , how do i control the mess with loose ones ? and how do u use the liquid charcoal ? and is it ok to mix both of them ? I've seen other artist mix charcoal with pan pastel black !

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Haven't used liquid charcoal but now I want to try it :-) Yes soft pastels and charcoal can be mixed, in any order.

[@jumanas4012]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber thank you 🙏

[@tracymason7620]

love this.. thank you

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jennifersaulpaugh5425]

Thank you so much!

[@jamesmclane2826]

😊🙏 you are a wonderful teacher🤔 I love your videos 😃🤔you make it understandable fast👍👀😊🙏✌️🖖

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you! 😃

[@nanetteatienza4297]

What brand of hot pressed watercolor paper are you recommending? I am out of luck sharpening my pencils to a sharp point using any electric sharpeners. It eats my pencil. Yours was really nice. Is there a difference between Willow charcoal pencils and the regular charcoal pencils?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Willow is supposedly more forgiving and darker. I can't recall what I used here but it was likely Saunders Waterford or possibly Fabriano Artistico.

[@jodylynng]

I love your videos. Thanks

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching!

[@reginarichardson4821]

Very helpful, thank you 😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You’re welcome 😊

[@cofrancisart]

Thanks for a great video

[@ensignj3242]

Helpful video.

[@clairemoore2753]

does any particular thickness of cartridge paper work better than another? Great video, thanks.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

The thickness of the paper is less important. It's more to do with the texture of the sheets.

[@jaideepmandloi9053]

Thank you for this video! Is charcoal an archival/ lightfast medium especially charcoal pencils since they contain binder?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Charcoal basically never fades, I doubt binder would make much difference, graphite doesn't fade either so if that's in the mix it's fine. Charcoal cave paintings still exist so it's more important to worry about the paper it's on :-)

[@jaideepmandloi9053]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber thank you so much!

[@AzureSymbiote]

Thank you very much. Does paper GSM matter?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Not as much with dry media, but of course the thicker the paper often the better the quality and resilience.

[@shancre]

charcoal and watercolor fantasy landscape with a castle please.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I'll put it on the list :-)

[@shancre]

Yay

[@Guylangloisartist]

Great video

[@kathyhall668]

I like to use white conte' on my acrylic to draw on.

[@utopia5351]

Thank you Xx

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome

[@junemaguire9988]

Thank you

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're welcome!

[@johnwallace6458]

My daughter wants a charcoal portrait of her second child thant will be similar to the one for her first child. I want to learn how to create it for her.

[@AndreaDingbatt]

Thank you for this, I love to use charcoal!! And these tips are a great help!!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sandraocallaghan8616]

Interesting.

[@devandestudios128]

You could also just embrace the messiness of charcoal. I've found (@ least for me) that being too studious keeping everything clean isn't conducive to creativity. I prefer a little mess and chaos. The process of cleaning as I go pulls me out of the zone and it becomes difficult to get back into it. Also, charcoal works best (imo) on Newsprint paper. Good amount of tooth but not too much and it blends well. I've also used charcoal under watercolor, You can get some really cool effects and colors with under the watercolor because it'll move and mix with it. Of course if you don't want that, then dry is the way to go.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

That's the thing, it's so versatile, so there are many ways of using it. :-)

[@marypartridge5154]

Its really hard to sharpen charcoal pencils. What is the best pencil sharpener as I have big problems as the sharpeners never last.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I like the Helix barrel desk sharpener, you can also use sand paper if you just need to re-do the point.

[@kaptainkermo]

when you use the helix sharpener to sharpen the charcoal pencil, won’t the charcoal snap off? Charcoal seems so easy to break

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

It works fine for me, don't forget charcoal pencils are formulated to be much firmer than standard sticks of charcoal.

[@kaptainkermo]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber thanks so much! Will give it a try 😃👍

[@kareyschirrmacher746]

I would like to see a landscape in charcol

[@deedeetimothytysontgm6404]

I've seen woodless pencils. How do you feel about them? Are they easier? Also...yes U.S. says Q-tip...😉

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I wouldn't say so, but they can be useful for filling large areas.

[@johnwallace6458]

I want to learn to make charcoal portraits from photographs.

[@marcwheeler4406]

Lol ....still feel twitchy using ( kitchen paper or toilet paper for blending..) hoping some day that I'll be able to just be like oh just grab a paper towel to use that spill......lol...yes we say qtip and cotton pad or makeup remover pad.. .....many art blessing to you today 👩‍🎨🎨

[@believerone2001]

good

[@HonhbDoe]

This might be a stupid question I’ve been sketching stuff for about 3 months now and i found that paper people use is similar to printer paper is that okay to use or is that a no no ? Plus my dumb ass doesn’t know where to get the special paper unless j order it and I’m not ordering paper just sounds ridiculous lol please guys gimmie some advice and tips guys thanks god bless

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Printer paper is okay for learning but you won't get very dark shading with pencil as it's too smooth. You just need a sketch pad. I can assure you people order paper all the time ;-) Sketch paper is sometimes called Cartridge paper in Europe/UK

[@bradfordyorks5055]

Is that charcoal dust on your nails? :-))

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Of course!

[@joshdear1898]

@michelle Webber hi I’m josh. I would love to learn tips about charcoal art

[@joshdear1898]

@michelle webber im a full public artist

[@JanetHadson-po2zr]

If you’re still working on a charcoal piece you need workable fixative

[@bennyjernigan1654]

I use a light spray of hairspray over my charcold drawings. They don't smear then.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Great tip!

[@sweetbb125]

Going for 50 000 subscribers Michel.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yes I am!

[@yipper1100]

Wow, no wonder I had gotten such mediocre results after taking a few briquets out of my neighbor's barbecue grill and breaking them up and going to work on a self portrait; I figured I was doing a "charcoal on paper" work of art. I had no idea there were so many forms of charcoal drawing tools; even erasers; boy, would THOSE have helped me!! I'm going to curl up on the couch and watch the ten most common mistakes in charcoal tonight; and stay out of trouble... They are called Q-Tips, by the way, (It's a name I briefly thought about rapping under lol) Lastly, has anyone ever proposed marriage to you upon first sight of your portrait of two puppies, or would I be the first?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Ha, no one has ever proposed marriage to me. Although a few have sparred. Some literally, hence the ligament damage. Martial arts for the win :-)

[@yipper1100]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber ligament damage, yikes; I hope they have healed up by now :)

[@yipper1100]

I had been intrigued by the gold ring; did you like it so much that you bought it even though it was a bit too large; was it handed down by a relative who had bigger hands than yours; and now; is it a martial arts weapon, lol!

[@liamwatson5125]

Mind you, I don’t think I would want to paint watercolour over a charcoal drawing. Yuck! But I can draw onto watercolour with charcoal once the painting is dry.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Well it would certainly be interesting!

[@angelreading5098]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber It is called charcoal tint,surprisingly effective as you lift out the highglights with a kneadable eraser and can add extra colour tints which also effectively fixes the charcoal as well,by combining white pastel the effects are stunning,another technique is to use bread to rub out areas,for initial marking out with charcoal excess can be rubbed away before colour is added making it less messy when the colour hits it,I like breaking the rules to produce different effects and it is fun to experiment.Simple hand torn paper masks make effective edges to use with charcoal as the charcoal is rubbed and blended into the paper,love all the ideas !

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

@@angelreading5098 Fascinating ideas thank you!

[@obchaudhri]

Dear You Tube, Please show me more videos by Michelle.

[@lindaneckel9085]

I would love to see a whimsical women's face . 🤗

[@jamesstanley9262]

I use a pane of glass double the size of my fist to protect my sketches from me and vice versa.

[@robertsargent4600]

Well if it's kittycat approved you got a deal

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yay!

[@bennyjernigan1654]

You have a beautiful accent, please don't talk so fast. I am hard of hearing. I love your video. I like working in charcoal.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Sorry about that, I try! The subtitles KZbin provides are pretty good :-)