The Most Difficult Charcoal Drawing I've Ever Done!

I love the subject matter of the draft horses and the process of charcoal on canvas, but I really had to dig deep to complete this drawing. The detail and precision it required had my eyes crossed and my mind numb. But as they say, the greater the struggle, the deeper the reward. I'm extremely satisfied with the outcome and I learned a lot from the challenge of drawing this artwork. Hope you enjoy the video. Thanks!
Available artwork: joelpilcherart.com/

[@donitafichter8298]

Just….wow. Unbelievable gift you have Joel. Thanks be to God.

[@richardmabe4186]

Impressive powerful horses, very well portrayed. Great work!

[@ryanjobb6403]

I work with charcoal on cardboard a lot recently, I teach high school art and found this video to be really inspiring. I was looking into more interesting ways of sealing and possibly building up in unique ways using process. Thanks

[@susanwilson2297]

Love the draft horse. My grandfather had 35 of them in the 1930’s. Beautiful work; just stunning.

[@satyademasson]

exceptional work Joel. I have been using charcoal on paper for portraits for awhile and have been wanting to try on canvas and then I found your videos, thanks brother watching your videos it's given me the confidence to start. Thanks again.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Awesome, thank you!

[@shirleymontano9657]

Just found your channel. Really enjoyed this and appreciate all your hard work on it. Love the horses with the blazes. Beautiful!!

[@ericbouessa5257]

Good ❤

[@jpwartist]

Great to see you posting regular content again. Stunning piece. Thanks for sharing your process, very interesting and informative.

[@chrissyd1895]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful artistry with us!! The process is interesting and I may try it myself! :-)

[@petehamada7073]

Not bad...., keep practicing

[@TheEmperorjun]

❤❤❤ wow ❤❤❤

[@karenrichardson6767]

Doing a single horse with a fancy bridle right now, and following your process, so THANK YOU!!! Haha I wanted to have fun using my electric eraser.

[@fredacaccavale242]

I always love your work.

[@Ahiran_art]

Amazing work! Your technique and skill level is incredible..... Love to watch your work...

[@roberta207]

Wow! I've never seen before a masterpiece like this! Congratulations!!

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you!!

[@secondwind75]

Absolutely incredible, Joel. The level of detail on this piece is beyond compare. I dare say this your best. I can tell the challenge of this one was tougher on you than the others but you really took it head on and created a true work of art. Congrats on a beautiful piece and thanks for all the vids leading up to this finale. Way to go man! Troy

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thanks Troy!!

[@camila.rol98]

This is incredible! My dad is starting to draw with charcoal, and he loves your videos, he does not speak English, so I'm translating this for him! Thank you for your videos, they're really helpful!

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you!!

[@alexklette1138]

It is incredible.

[@lyndiekempfer1855]

So, amazing❤

[@JaneCaroline]

Beautiful work ... wowe

[@sarahdescoteaux1840]

Fantastic ! I've been experimenting with something similar using oil paint that has charcoal in it. 😊

[@spikeybunny6577]

Your art & process are amazing, and I’m super motivated to try something like this…. but I just had a thought: Your studio vacuum must hate you! Please tell me it’s not the same one used for the rest of the house. I imagine you have a shop vac type of thing & can reuse all the charcoal powder that inevitably falls during your work.

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Yep, it's pretty messy. Definitely a designated set of cleaning equipment for the studio. Thanks!

[@jaimejaime1178]

Hi Joel. Jim from Madrid, Spain (a New Yorker expat living abroad). Awesome Art piece! Just beautiful! I have a question, if you don't mind... When you spray the paint with acetone and a fixer... Do you mix both mediums in the same spray bottle or you spray them separately (on on top of the other after drying)? If together, what's a good mix ratio for each product? And which products are best to use (type of acetone and sealer)?. On paper I usually just use a sealer at the end of the piece, but never worked on canvas yet. Sorry to bother you with these questions and I will definitely watch the videos in your channel (Just subscribed today!). Cheers from Sunny Spain😁👍😎

[@d.cmiller4158]

WOW!! Amazing You are truly Blessed ! Are you self taught or did you go to school ? Your work is Wonderful, thank you for sharing, best wishes to you and you family ❤

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Self taught, but inspired by many. Thank you!!

[@MsGnor]

Beautiful job Joel, a pleasure to watch and learn from you! May I ask how long this took approx? ❤🐴🐴

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Most charcoal projects take me about a week. This one was a bit longer due to size and detail. Thanks!

[@MsGnor]

@@JoelPilcherArt Wow, amazing, and thanks for answering my fan questions 😂😍

[@HM-sx3fq]

This is outstanding.. Can you please link me to what charcoal are you using and how to make it looks so soft on canvas.. Plus are you using squares technique to sketch the first linesof any artwork?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Yes, grid method for the initial sketch (see my other video) and I use Marie's willow charcoal and Coate's charcoal powder. Thanks!

[@joannaszydowska3384]

Absolutely amazing! ❤ How do protect your artwork before shipping?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you! I spray the final art with a matte finish spray and then brush on a varnish. Then I wrap it in plenty of packaging before boxing up to ship.

[@joannaszydowska3384]

Thank you ❤️ I love your art!

[@Flux_One]

Curious to know what you used to draw the piece onto the canvas, since it didnt move much when you brushed over the vine charcoal.

[@ayeshajabeen2119]

Is it canvas??? Please reply

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Yes, charcoal on canvas.

[@brucenunn3268]

Fantastic piece Joel.! What do you used for the “initial Sketch”.?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you!! I just use charcoal pencils. Check out my other videos for more insight on the materials I use and the initial sketching process.

[@brucenunn3268]

@@JoelPilcherArt thanks for the reply Joel. 👊😎

[@TheBogusjones]

Is the canvas prepared in any way?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

This one was just stretched and pre primed canvas. But on my more recent projects I've been adding a couple layers of gesso because I like the added texture. Thanks!

[@jillcherrick3113]

It's BEAUTIFUL Joel. WOW WOW WOW, 🤯🎉🎉🎉 I watched all the videos you did on this piece so great. How long did it take to finish? I noticed you rubbing your hands a lot. I do the same 😂 and mine aren't even close to the sizes you draw. Thanks again for your time and your response to my questions!!!❤❤❤ SO BEAUTIFUL!!! -JILL C.- HUACHUCA AZ

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you!! I worked on it for a couple weeks.

[@tomeetomee4913]

Really nicely done. The harness detail and the amazing values, I spend too much time looking at this piece. A pleasure to see all the stages of your work. Did you do a smaller sketch to familiarize yourself with the detail or was this the first attempt. Thanks so much for your generosity sharing . tom

[@JoelPilcherArt]

I do occasionally create a rough digital sketch on my ipad to explore values and composition, but not on this one. Thanks tom!

[@yoderma88]

Awesome piece. How much time did this take to complete?

[@JoelPilcherArt]

Thank you! I've been working on it, off and on, for a couple weeks.