Drawing a Big Bison with Charcoal on Canvas

Probably my favorite bison drawing so far. Started with a couple layers of gesso on a 36"x48" canvas. Sketched out the big guy with a charcoal pencil, then started adding more layers to make him come alive. So much fun! Hope you enjoy watching. Thanks!
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[@peterpearce8489]

Glad to see another video! Love your style and effects. I’ve played with it a bit myself and I’m loving it! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@lisaedwards6384]

Thank you for sharing your process. Beautiful!!

[@NikkiA.Art.]

Hello Joel. I have to confess, I have been watching your videos repeatedly watching how you do your work. I just love high contrast, black & white and this art is great as to how you manipulate shapes and contrast to get the right effects. Well I tried a Tiger and man, did it not come out the way I wanted to. I end up resorting to adding white and grey charcoal instead of rubbing it out. I think the mistake I made was I didn't have enough coal on the canvas to rub it out and make it look white. So I am not giving up I am going to try it again, painting a Nordic Viking. Thank you for opening the world of charcoal and showing us what it can do. Your work is amazing and I appreciate it. Thank you.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you! Are you using an electric eraser for the brightest highlights? That was a game changer for me.

[@NikkiA.Art.]

@@JoelPilcherArt Hello Joel. Yes I did though the problem was I didn't add enough on the first layer and didn't go dark enough in places. In the end it end up being a black and white charcoal painting. Its ok though. It was my first attempt so I am not that upset by it. Good thing I am stubborn and will try again. If you want to see it, it's not brilliant, I can email you a pic.

[@bigblue6917]

Just beautiful. I half expected it to walk out the canvas.

[@michaelgilding6531]

I would definitely put this art into a log cabin in the woods.

[@wendyshoults7355]

Fantastic! You do amazing work! Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

[@Ed_13_R]

You bring so much soul to your art. Amazing piece. 👍

[@theArtofKessey]

using charcoal on canvas the way you do is pretty tough. i tried it , wish i could share. i was struggling through out. i ended up using acrylics for the highlights. lol... how does your charcoal erase so easily. mine just doesn't. please is there a way i can share my work with you. You are an inspiration.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I now apply a couple layers fo gesso first and it helps. The electric eraser is a game changer for getting the brightest highlights. Thanks!

[@hectorflavioroldanamaya1390]

Hi Joel. I am a fan and admirer of his amazing work. I live in Medellin, Colombia. Could you please tell me the brand of pencils and charcoal powder that you use? Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. God bless you.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I don't use the charcoal pencil anymore. Just Maries willow charcoal and Coates charcoal powder. Both purchased on Amazon. Thanks!

[@dzdesignzone6785]

Hi. What kind of polish remover is that? Can you post some link to it please? Awesome work by the way.....

[@johnlim899]

Subscribed. Do u add on additional Gesso on the primed canvas? And post drawing, do u varnish it? To protect ur drawing?

[@meredith7236]

Hi does it have to be acetone you spray as that smells a lot is there a difference if I just use water???

[@Sketchrcat]

music is annoying!!

[@creativesolutions902]

Totally… I had to turn it down all the way just to watch the video