My Favorite Drawing Tools for Charcoal on Canvas

I get asked all the time about the tools I use for my charcoal on canvas artwork. Hopefully this video will answer all those questions. Let me know in the comments what other questions you have and I'll do my best to answer. Thanks!
Available artwork at joelpilcherart.com

[@davincimen4495]

Super sweet of you to offer business and sales tips. How great that you are making your living at this.

[@MrsBeasleys1111]

Pease wear some type of mask when spraying acetone and fixative. You might not see any affects of it now but in years to come it will seriously affect you. Please take this as I intend it as a precaution.

[@adryandiaz]

How you only have 10k subs has to be YT suppression. Great vids, and thank you for the tips!

[@Jack-j8c]

Thanks, Joe, for all this valuable information. I'm a graphite artist but am transitioning to charcoal. Your videos are absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much.

[@TheYarnMarm]

Your video on "my favorite drawing tools..." answered my question.

[@BridgetKelly-o7f]

Hi Joel so so stocked I stumbled upon you!!! Love your work! I too love working with charcoal but have only done a couple of drawings thus far. Making a living from my passion would be amazing! I’d love to watch all your videos from start to finish on how you apply & work your charcoal/mediums. I love attention to detail & realism is definitely my style. Why I love your work so much! Can’t wait to watch your series of videos 🙏🏼😁 thank you from Australia Bridget

[@jillcherrick3113]

Thank you for your time Joel. Im going to try the products you mentioned in your tools video to see if I can get the same outcome as you do with your pieces. I really appreciate the time you take with your videos. Looking forward to the continuation with the draft horses. Its looking really good and only first steps. Im very framilure with the harness and rigging and your doing a fantastic job with it. I can almost smell the leather cleaner/softner as well as the sweet smell of horse sweat 😂 brings back good memmories!!! Have a great day. -Jill C.-

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Awesome! Thank you so much!

[@judithgoulden972]

Fantastic information,thank you for making these videos.

[@brucedavidson5400]

Very cool process!!

[@oscargarcia-bl6wg]

Thank you man!! These videos really really help😊 always look forward to your content.

[@brucenunn3268]

Can’t wait to see the Grid method video.! Glad to see you back in here and sharing the art. I loved the Easter Piece.!

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you!

[@darshanadiss]

Joel, you influenced me to switch to Charcoal on canvas I found it more practical and I got addicted to it. Greatly appreciate your insightful demonstrations. cheers man, your talent is unbelievable

[@DhArts-d8q]

Thank you

[@kadeemcgillarts]

Thank you for starting this series! I just started this type of art after being inspired by you. I'm excited for the tips on not just the art but the marketing as well.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

You are so welcome! Thank you!

[@kimp5434]

Thank you so much！！

[@mzstoltzfus]

Thank you for the info. I had many questions on your techniques/materials and you've answered many of them. I am looking forward to the hearing more about them. Your work inspires me to keep creating! Thanks again!

[@sandeeparora1704]

It would be awesome if you can share full tutorials of your drawings. Would be happy to become the member if you are on Patreon.

[@jillcherrick3113]

Thank you for your time in doing these videos. You answered the questions I had for you on the eraser video. I am curious about the answer to one of the questions someone asked on the eraser video. When you brushed the charcoal in the beginning you didn't lose the drawing. How did you not lose the drawing? I don't brush hard and yet my drawings vanish if I brush over them. Again your time and work are very much appreciated!!!😊 - Jill C.-

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I lose some of the detail, but most of the drawing does remain. The soft bush helps, but other than that I'm not sure why mine would not brush away and yours does. Perhaps the type of canvas or the charcoal pencils I use for the sketch helps.

[@AngelCMercado]

Joel my friend, you’re creating some awesome work!…just one thing, you need to take more caution when spraying. Right now you’re young and don’t seem to concern about this. The sad news is that as you get older you will start noticing the effects of these chemicals!

[@vickim6990]

is the spray nozzle you use the best? or is the amount you spray that matters? Also, what dark pencil do you use for details such as eyes? Also, lol sorry... but will the acetone work on carbon and really dark thick charcoal and graphite?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

A standard spray bottle works great and it has an adjustable nozzle which helps. I use mostly willow/vine charcoal. Check out my video where I list out the charcoal product I use for more details. Not sure how the acetone will react to other mediums. Sorry. Thanks!

[@vickim6990]

@@JoelPilcherArt Thank you so much. I love your work and your demeanor. You're so kind

[@p.miraones]

Thank you so very much, appreciated. Love your work and style so much.🙏

[@laurasmith1278]

Hey Joel, This is Jimmy Smith art, I think it's showing up to you as Laura Smith, my wife. But anyway, Could you tell me what kind or what brand of white pencil that works best on on canvas charcoal drawings? Does pastel & chalk pencils work as good as charcoal pencils? Also how many times can you workable fix your canvas drawings. Some times I'll go 4 times, reckon that cool?

[@antionio5573]

Buen video 👍

[@mscinders9449]

I'm so happy I found you and this series; learning SO much!! I LOVE my electric eraser and I often use an old paint brush with the bristles cut down for detailed blending :) Your work is both amazing and inspiring!!

[@nancyverbicky7577]

Wow. I would never have thought about the nail polish remover. Thanks for all the fantastic info! Do you use Milo’s Gallery canvases. The highest quality?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Yes. Thanks!

[@billyhenson2465]

Is the canvas the studio or gallery series?

[@HM-sx3fq]

Can you write the brands on a comment here please?

[@leannepenner7806]

Thanks for sharing! I also do charcoal work but have been doing it on watercolour paper so am excited to try it on canvas. I haven’t used powder yet so have it on order now. One thing I do use for blocking in is Pan Pastel. It lasts forever and has small applicators to large applicators and it is erasable. When I don’t want something to smudge like the willow, I use this as well.

[@julielabreche2587]

oop! I had bought the wrong acetone. Thanks for the video, it's easier to see. i looked to find a picture of a kodiak...it's the touch you put on it that makes it so wonderful. your paintings are fabulous

[@bryanrick]

My new favorite art instructor online!

[@steventhomas7292]

Appreciate the info, looking forward to your marketing strategy, keep up the great work 👍

[@yoichi6758]

Please make one final sealing which is EPOXY RESIN. I wanna see the final glossy and luxurious feel

[@MsGnor]

🥰❤ as a newbie, really appreciate your demos & tips! Love your gorgeous work. Take care.

[@secondwind75]

Thanks Joel. Always good to know the tools behind the talent. Looking forward to your grid technique vid as well as the others.

[@dare2dreamkj]

Thanks very much for this!☺️

[@michellen526]

Thank you!

[@bozoclown2098]

So many ways to die

[@christipton5233]

Thank you for putting this together. I'm new to art and want to reach your level. Mindset of a great artist is important, would you share your thoughts on how a great artist approaches a complex art piece and maintain a positive attitude through challenges and failures to see the project to the end. Love your work, hope to buy you lunch someday.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thanks Chris! I appreciate the suggestion. It's a complex challenge so I'll try to address this in an upcoming video.

[@juliaweis7280]

Thank you! I’m working on a piece this week on canvas. I found it hard to erase the second and third layer after applying the fixable, do you have any suggestions on how to know when to apply it or how much?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Once the fixative is sprayed, it does become almost impossible to erase. I take my time on the first layer and make sure it is exactly as I want it before spraying and moving on. I'm actually working on a video to explain this in detail. Stay tuned. Thanks!

[@tomeetomee4913]

HI Joel : I'm a beginner charcoal artist and your series has inspired me with the possibilities in charcoal. I always have a problem with finding something that I havent already drawn in graphite or color pencil that im actually interested in. Finding something to feel excited about starting is always a issue with me. You mention your reference library, but your subjects look original. Any thoughts about getting the process started. thanks tom

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I take my time searching for the right reference image. Finding quality images with the right lighting and composition is very important. Then I always change it up to make it more appealing. I often use photoshop to manipulate the image or sometimes drop out the background almost completely to bring more focus to the subject. Hope that helps. Thanks!

[@AnnieKimArt]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I’m excited about your series coming up! Do you ever use colored charcoal?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thanks! I never have used colored charcoal. I do occasionally paint with acrylic. There are a lot of mediums and techniques I still hope to try one day.

[@sandycope910]

Hi Joe, on the paintings that you add the oil glaze to, do you use the white acrylic for the highlights prior, or do you skip that step?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

No acrylic for those. When I do the oil glaze I use pan pastel tools and rags to remove the oil paint to create the highlights. Thanks!

[@artbytiana]

I had no idea there was an electric eraser. Thanks for the video! I think I'll try drawing charcoals on canvases for the first time soon.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Charcoal on canvas takes some practice, but once you get used to it, it can be a lot of fun. Thanks!

[@TierkunstAtelier]

Can you please makea list of the materials? Will be great

[@sepstei2]

Thank you for being so generous!!

[@carlalively5747]

What’s the can of spray sealant again? I couldn’t catch the brand and product

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Oh, sorry about that. It's Krylon Workable Fixative.

[@cathylibra6549]

Thank you Joel!

[@annbest7453]

Good video

[@mariasoledadsoutomagarinos2194]

He visto un vídeo tuyo de como sellar y realmente me es difícil encontrar esos materiales aquí

[@andreapiedmonte1954]

Excellent!

[@granalcalde]

Hola que tal si no tengo acetona puedo usar thiner acrílico o laca acrilica

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I'm not sure. I've only tried acetone and water. Acetone definitely creates the better effect and it evaporates quickly.

[@demsouano4893]

pls share how you apply that sponge effect

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I dip the dry sponge in the charcoal powder and spread it over the canvas. Many of my demo and time lapse videos show me doing this. Thanks!

[@Tapioca63]

Have you ever used pan pastels to add more color?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I haven't. Might have to try that one day. Thanks!

[@lyndiekempfer1855]

Joel, Do you use a smooth or fine weave canvas or rough or larger weave?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I buy my canvases from Milo Art Supplies. Not sure what the exact specs are, but they erase really well and the texture works great for charcoal. Thanks!

[@lyndiekempfer1855]

@@JoelPilcherArt Thank you so much for replying to this, and the other video inquiry! God bless ❣️