Charcoal 101, all about charcoal drawing.

Charcoal drawing supplies and use, how to start!
For the entire lesson with ALL of the videos, examples and supply lists, visit my site: www.jordanswain.com/artclass/2020/5/5/charcoal-101-entire-lesson
Supplies I used: disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate so I do earn commissions when you purchase, but I only recommend things that I use myself!
General's simple Charcoal set:
amzn.to/34dPKNm
Here is a BIG Charcoal set with tons of stuff!:
amzn.to/2FBpUbP
High Polymer Black Eraser
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006023Z5O?ie=UTF8&tag=jsart-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B006023Z5O
Tombow Click precision eraser
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005IQHCKM?ie=UTF8&tag=jsart-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B005IQHCKM
Eraser Pencil with brush
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TUFV3XY?ie=UTF8&tag=jsart-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B00TUFV3XY
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See and buy my art and prints here, free lessons and downloads: www.jordanswain.com/
Instagram @jordanswainartist
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www.etsy.com/shop/JordanSwainArt

[@bordertown6445]

The realism you can get with charcoal is freaking amazing

[@jordanswain]

I know! I love charcoal! Thanks for watching!

[@Aagggyy]

Jordan Swain Visual Art Is it necessary to blend? I’ve seen proko’s drawing tutorial and his portrait drawings are grainy.

[@icypenguin9000]

IKR its flip flapping awesome

[@jordanswain]

Alonzo Gonzalez I love Proko’s tutorials! Not necessary, it’s all about your personal style. Sometimes leaving the graininess adds expression and feeling!

[@Aagggyy]

Jordan Swain Visual Art Seems lol everybody is going for blending.

[@Abby-rr4nv]

I'm just starting charcoal drawing and this helps so much! You deserve more subs!Thanks

[@jordanswain]

Person Who Likes Food Thank you so much! That’s my goal, I want to start an art channel that helps people become better artists, but I would love more subs so that I can actually spend more time doing this!!

[@ThePortraitArt]

good job ;) (btw genearl's pencil factory is in NJ and often they have bad batches where 2B is HB, so watch out for that) Add on a few points. Electrical pencil sharpener is perfectly fine (if you know how to use it with charcoal). Those "back to school" sharpener maybe work but a sharp knife to sharpen your own pencil is one of the best and common manual methods. Fixative destroys light toned powdered media so it will mess up white/light pencil / pastel etc. And lastly there is nothing regular carbon pencil can accomplish that can't be done in 1/5th of time with charcoal. great video and keep up and good work.

[@jordanswain]

Such good info, thanks! I did not know that about General’s pencil company, I will look out for that!

[@SageAhmed2222]

thanks very much for this, starting to implement charcoal into my highly detailed drawings as of now, really helps amplify the colour profile where needed.

[@MFYouTube683]

This is the best 101 / starter kit video I’ve seen. And you have a very nice voice. I wish I’d had a teacher like you.

[@jordanswain]

Malo Fankhauser that is so nice of you to say!! Thank you!

[@stolenbythestars]

Thank you, my drawing teacher wants me to use charcoal to add value to my picture so this really helped.

[@jordanswain]

You’re so welcome!

[@flo.c6331]

OMG I've had one of those sand paper things for years and never knew what it was meant for until I found your video. Thank you !

[@lancedal740]

Thank you so much for this, this really helped me know the basics of charcoal drawing. As well as the different materials used, their uses, how they function, and techniques in using them. This would really help me in improving my skills in art, thank you so much!

[@adacara9470]

Thanks for your detail presentation about different type of charcoal. It hits me to do drawing with charcoal. Oh.. Wait.. I have to wait the weekend to grab them from the artshop. 🤦‍♂️

[@dragonick2947]

"Smudge sticks can be used to draw fur" _Furries:_ I'll take your whole stock.

[@jordanm7132]

This was the literal PERFECT video that I was looking for! Thank you so much! I was just gifted a kit with different charcoal and graphite pencils and sticks and vines, and even the sandpaper and I was so confused with how sandpaper is useful!

[@jordanswain]

Thank you! I’m so glad!! I have lots of other videos, feel free to ask other questions and I’ll make a video about them!

[@bia-tv2wj]

Just a question cause I havent used charcoal sticks my whole life, I never even touched one lmao Do charcoal sticks shrink after using them for some time? Like pencils?

[@sayuriando3379]

@@bia-tv2wj Yes, they do.

[@alessandronimis7895]

Thanks for this interesting video of yours! I have been making pencil drawings for 2 years and I started using "charcoal" a few days ago, thanks 🙂

[@kassielucas7891]

My son just made his first charcoal drawing, thanks to you!😁

[@jordanswain]

That made my day! I’m so glad!

[@Stressed_glitter]

I used charcoal in high school but nobody ever explained actually how to use it so I never really liked it but my first course in college is requiring me to use charcoal and I'm terrified because I don't use it so I beyond grateful for these videos.

[@jordanswain]

Thank you!! I appreciate that! It does need to be explained!

[@Stressed_glitter]

@Z Z it went I'm still not fond of it but I'm better than what I was.

[@CajunJules]

Great tutorial! You covered all of my questions!😊

[@Voltage343]

I am slacking in my art journey I appreciate the knowledge

[@HoustonRebel]

I've been slacking for the last 20-30 years. I'm now 56. I don't know WHERE it went. Just disappeared into thin air. "I could have been someBODY, I could have been a contender, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it". -Marlon Brando, Along The Waterfront.

[@RozarioFernandesMusic]

thankyou, very informative! I have just started pursuing charcaol sketching and wanted knowledge of the different types of materials that can be used !

[@MagicalPenutsWillRis]

This is super helpful! I've been using normal old pencils for my portraits for years, but was recently commissioned for a super large portrait of Bob Marley, and figured i'd switch it up! I've been treating pencils like theyre charcoal anyway, so why not give it a try! I hate the scratchiness of charcoal though... makes my skin crawl and I cringe :( plus I already have intense misophonia and other general sound sensitivities.... but if I do the paintbrush method i think i'll be able to manage! Thank you for your video!

[@jordanswain]

ASMRcade thank you! I would love to see your finished portrait, I love Bob Marley! Listening to music while I’m drawing helps me avoid the scratchy sounds of charcoal!

[@Paulliddydesignideas]

great tutorial, fast and informative. thank you

[@asmrcraftvideos830]

Thanks for this video :) I'm just about to have a go with charcoals to try out different medias...

[@LuvLeighAn_]

I never knew what the sandpaper was for, thank you

[@athulvenu2410]

Thank you for this video. It helps me to get an idea about charcoal.❣️❣️❣️

[@yashny]

Thank you so much! This video is incredibly helpful. You get straight to the point while also covering a lot of points. Subscribed!

[@jordanswain]

Thank you so much! I’m working on a charcoal landscape tutorial now!

[@chrish.7083]

Thank you for the tips! Charcoal is an amazing artist 's tool. I used it briefly yesterday...wow!! How is charcoal similar to a burned chopstick? Is it similar?

[@jordanswain]

Chris H. You’re so welcome! Charcoal is essentially just burnt wood, so you are correct!

[@davidsilverhawk3732]

Thank you for your wonderful tutorial it is so very much appreciated! your communication skills are wonderful!

[@jordanswain]

Thank you!

[@JoieLuvsFood]

im like a dumb 12 year old so thanks this helped 😃

[@jordanswain]

You can do it!!

[@karuros3005]

thank you so much for tips, all video was exiting, and I love you ´r voice !

[@danthomas6587]

Funny you mentioned workable fixative being like hairspray because if I can't find fix or can't afford it its just as good to use actual hairspray. Except for the fragrance added to hairspray I never found any obvious difference. Good vid...subbed.

[@jordanswain]

Dan Thomas thanks! I used aqua net hairspray in college! Double duty!

[@RandomPerson-lz7cs]

Love this video super informative!

[@ewayne1527]

I’m new to art and cutting my teeth in charcoal. This is a great for beginners. What kind of paper do you use for landscapes? Is it smooth like typing paper or do you use a more textured paper designed for art work?

[@EtchAndSketch]

I personally use Arches aquarerelle hot press 300gsm paper to do both Pencil & Charcoal. Hope that helps 👍

[@jordanswain]

Those are both great recommendations for paper! Agree! It really depends on preference whether you like a smooth or rough paper- I like a little texture, for beginners, Strathmore 300 series charcoal paper works great!

[@Exsecrabilis]

-04/04/2022 @ 2305- - My room gets pretty warm and that affects every eraser open to the high moister and hot elements in my room. So, I was planning to throw away my white rubber erasers due to the smudging they were making on my drawings when I erased. Strangely, I kept them and wonder if those erasers can become instruments in the shading process. -

[@reeseelizabethh]

Thank you! This video is very helpful.

[@sabihajamal9545]

Are these available from Amazon ? And these are sold seprately or in a box of combination ?❤

[@jordanswain]

Yes, I have a link in the description! :)

[@Connorkoehl22]

Why do I suddenly want to breath in the dust?

[@jordanswain]

Connor Koehl ha ha!!

[@charging_station2]

junkie-

[@theagent213]

charcoal is so fun to use now

[@michelledaley55]

Jordan have you used fixative then given the drawing a transparent wash of colour then varnished? I'd like to see it.

[@hammads9045]

What’s the difference between using white charcoal and an eraser? Excluding the white charcoal on black paper, both are used for highlights, right?

[@jordanswain]

Great question- I think it comes down to if you want to add media and texture or remove it. Eraser is great but can wear on your paper if used too much or in too large of areas. White chalk is best for adding layers when you haven’t smudged too much yet (making your paper saturated and slick) or for larger areas. I think you would use both on one drawing :)

[@claudiocruzat7667]

I will start using them. The closest thing to oil painting..charcoal .

[@laurenjackson7034]

Hello! Where can I find the downloadable PDF of your Charcoal 101 sheet on your website?

[@jordanswain]

www.jordanswain.com/artclass/2020/5/5/charcoal-101-entire-lesson Sorry for the late reply! There are free lessons for all media on my website!

[@YitbarekYigezu]

You are so resourceful . Thank you

[@jordanswain]

Thank you for watching!

[@arnauldmichelizza3606]

Thanks for the video ! Could you tell us which compressed charcoal you use ? Is it alphacolor char-kole ?

[@jordanswain]

In this video, I was just using General’s compressed charcoal, which is super affordable. I buy the class packs for charcoal drawing on Blick for my classes. :)

[@BjornarFrantzen]

Charcoal 💗

[@squids6987]

Charcoal is just ripoff coal, I hate it. Tell me one person who uses charcoal for torches in Minecraft instead of coal. Exactly.

[@jordanswain]

Banana Mode haha! True. Coal burns much better! It’s funny I’m helping design a Minecraft Education Art History world right now! I love Minecraft!

[@wxrlp]

i use it when i can't find coal by the first night, which is a lot

[@arandomfan2]

I love charcoal bc i usualy dont find coal in the first 2 days😂

[@arinrumi]

Are these actual charcoal? Like can be burn? Sorry, begginer here. Still learning about the tools.

[@jordanswain]

Yes, these are made from burnt wood, but made specifically for drawing! :)

[@nicoagressor]

You're the best!

[@idontknowgaminglol9275]

I don’t have fixative but I drew a drawing in my sketch book with charcoal and it keeps smudging on the page in front of it and all around do you have any tips to try to prevent or decrease the smudges?

[@jordanswain]

I don’t know gaming lol try hairspray if you have it!

[@idontknowgaminglol9275]

Thank you! I’ll try hair spray!

[@easytosketch]

Nice video!

[@N1t_in]

Informative video thanks

[@philmurphy6099]

Well explained video

[@poulkonrad]

Can´t find the charcoal sheet to download

[@jordanswain]

www.jordanswain.com/artclass/2020/5/5/charcoal-101-entire-lesson

[@someone...4636]

Can i eat it?

[@ecriniremgultop15]

Um hi i dont have a lot of budget and i bought the certain things for charcoal but I dont have that sprey for my drawings. How can i save my painting without a sprey?

[@SKetchingInterior]

I also share video about charcoal drawing too easy kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5bOl2iJd8t9qc0si=ZvmCyTLEYpc9rHwS

[@angelajsacaartistaffiliatedwpl]

Love charcoal thx

[@travelwithnicole]

Thank you.

[@dancingwithgravity]

thank you 🖤

[@paulhenrystudios7468]

Thank you for sharing !

[@SM_zzz]

Man, I just love charkle.

[@renjahncke3022]

Should I just use a pencil when I’m figuring out the outlining

[@jordanswain]

I use vine charcoal for the outlining, it’s easily erasable!

[@renjahncke3022]

@@jordanswain thank you it probably sounded like dumb question

[@jordanswain]

@@renjahncke3022 not at all!

[@jwelshmanmusic]

Great vid! Curious what compressed charcoal you're using here, every compressed charcoal I've worked with doesn't smudge well at all. Thanks!

[@jordanswain]

I used Generals here, compressed never smudges quite as well as Willow or vine though

[@mittenkitten2392]

Thank you! Do you have any advice on using charcoal with canvas paper? That’s the type I’m using!

[@rachaelkrehel5201]

Do you have a copy of the handout that you show in the beginning of the video....the one that explains the different materials and tips/tricks?

[@jordanswain]

www.jordanswain.com/artclass/2020/5/5/charcoal-101-entire-lesson sorry, just saw this!

[@geraltgrey-mane695]

I always loved drawing and painting to tho drawing is my Nr 1 :D But have not spend any time drawing for years now but I got the drawing urge and taste right now :P my fingers tingles or something haha If you want to get started with charcoal drawing for a total beginner and just want to dig deep into it and have fun!?!?! Etc tools / paper and so on?

[@abuzarlaleka9077]

What can we use to Erase charcoal drawing from Canvas and what type of charcoal is better for drawing on canvas that can be easily erased.?? If you can b any help then please.

[@jordanswain]

Vine or willow charcoal is the easiest to erase!

[@mihrandabaxterhayes]

Great video. Just what I needed. I was wondering where I can find that handout with steps. I looked on your website but I can't find it. Thanks.

[@jordanswain]

www.jordanswain.com/artclass/2020/5/5/charcoal-101-entire-lesson

[@kathleenstress]

Thank you! ❤

[@idiner]

what paper are using for portraits?

[@charlieartcampus8551]

Informative!

[@alinaohlsson3903]

What is the name of the package where you got all the stuff And where did you buy it😍😍

[@jordanswain]

I put all the links on the description! 😀

[@alinaohlsson3903]

@@jordanswain thank you, 🤗

[@natural997]

I did not know what that paddle was used for the longest time. I've had one for a while, and I've gone through so many tortillions.

[@jordanswain]

There are never directions for those, I didn’t know forever either!😂

[@stacey2304]

Great video! Thank you! Where on your website is the information sheet that was in this video located?

[@jordanswain]

www.jordanswain.com/artclass/2020/5/5/charcoal-101-entire-lesson

[@markyule6706]

@@jordanswain I'm struggling to find where the sheet is on this page, help!? Thank you for the video!

[@marissalaramore410]

Hi, if i wanted to use charcoal on a hardboard could i?

[@jordanswain]

I think you could but it might not have the tooth you need like paper does in order for it to really stick. One thing that is fun is mixing gesso with charcoal, but that gives it a different texture entirely! Try it on a little piece and spray it with varnish and see if it works! Everything in art is an experiment!

[@silentscreams1116]

very good👌👌👌👌👌

[@gundwanrushinga1373]

Could you tell us what paper you are using in this demo? It seems to have a nice tooth.

[@jordanswain]

It is charcoal drawing paper, specifically for charcoal, but I can’t remember what brand, maybe Strathmore?

[@adriyansetiawan5225]

what kind of paper should we use for charcoal?

[@jordanswain]

There is paper just for charcoal but you can also use drawing paper. I like newsprint for practice too.

[@youssefbenotmane7091]

Very pédagogique 👍

[@AlessandroZir]

thanks!! 🙇🙌🧘

[@jordanswain]

You're welcome 😊

[@zimablue3166]

Are there any papers you would suggest for portraits made with charcoal? :)

[@jordanswain]

Smooth drawing paper is nice if you want to do details!

[@legoguy23451]

thank you

[@C.O.P.IAcademy]

❤Jason

[@kaderp]

Do you think white charcoal is a necessity when creating a detailed charcoal piece?

[@jordanswain]

Kaderp I think it is a necessity, for me, but not for everyone! It helps me create those little details that I can’t get by leaving the paper white. Plus, I tend to be pretty messy and it helps me to erase my mistakes!

[@kaderp]

@@jordanswain Ah ok, thank you so much!

[@mklachu2697]

Could I use a normal sketching book for charcoal?

[@jordanswain]

Yes!

[@notimetoplay7862]

What's the name of that eraser and can I get link of every product you used

[@jordanswain]

Hi! I'm making a post on my website right now with a master list of products, but I will add product links to the description right now! Thanks for asking!

[@notimetoplay7862]

@@jordanswain thanks a lot please share your website

[@jordanswain]

@@notimetoplay7862 Here is the full lesson www.jordanswain.com/artclass/2020/5/5/charcoal-101-entire-lesson

[@notimetoplay7862]

@@jordanswain thank you so much

[@dinosharttt]

What does anything mean a see am not very elgish

[@badboybootz8]

Don't use your fingers it leaves oils on the paper

[@jordanswain]

I like using my fingers actually and I wash them so they aren’t oily, but I do use a tortillion too.

[@jatanyt1382]

hello can you teach how to use wood less charcoal pencil cuz i have it

[@jordanswain]

Great idea! I’ll see what I can do!

[@jatanyt1382]

@@jordanswain thanks

[@hammads9045]

I'm planning to have a date with someone and we'll be doing charcoal drawings, but my date's never done it before. Can someone give an idea of how I can make a fun date out of charcoal drawing?

[@lunatism9714]

Ah yes. 5:27 Not me that grinded my charcoal willows with a mortar to get charcoal dust

[@keisi9943]

Where did you get your charcoal from?

[@jordanswain]

Links in the description! I like Blick.

[@royalfrostrose6545]

👁👄👁 that's how you clean the blending tool....why do I find it out now!?!?😭😭😭still,thank you 💖💖💖💖

[@jordanswain]

Right?! I didn’t learn until AFTER I had graduated from college with an art degree!

[@thebreathless4935]

Comparing this video to MY drawings, I 100% shoulda dropped beginning drawing

[@jordanswain]

Noooo! Never compare and don’t give up! I have a degree in art and a master’s degree in teaching art, it’s all about practice and not talent. Honestly!

[@kodzu838]

This video is really helpful cause i bought charcoal online

[@jordanswain]

Thank you so much!

[@Zen0610]

Can compressed charcoal be powdered?

[@jordanswain]

Yes, you can rub it on sandpaper and collect the dust. Just don’t breathe it in!

[@Zen0610]

@@jordanswain THANK YOU 😌❤️

[@mihaelfajt293]

kneedable erasers are defenetley the best for erasing charcoal

[@tealteamgaming1696]

Thank you, that's really helpful to know! :D

[@artofdestiny]

Nice

[@artofdestiny]

I like the vedio an even i am an artist

[@tealteamgaming1696]

@@artofdestiny And a great one, too!

[@Jeff-lk4dv]

the drawings in this video are art in themselves

[@tobechukwujude686]

So messy❤❤❤

[@melistudios6590]

Wowwww

[@Nezurna]

Slayy

[@cmdr_kytrite4556]

5:47 lmao Yuri Gagarin

[@lscsk]

I just realized I have charcoal and freaked out