Understanding Charcoal & Graphite - how to combine them

I this video I would be explaining the differences between charcoal & graphite as well as how to combine them both in the best way to minimize graphite shine and get a smooth finish with both materials.
Materials used: charcoal, graphite, paintbrushes, qtips, blending stumps, 200gsm paper, 300gsm paper.
follow me on social media:
/ agom.jnr
/ elcarim.agom
/ miraclearts_

[@bonnaventuremwela9859]

Although you did not demonstrate, but your way of explaining was clear and straightforward. I have learned some background information. In other words, I mean basic knowledge. Thanks for sharing.

[@Agomjnr]

Your welcome

[@robinlandry518]

I think your art is amazing

[@markthompson7036]

I was absolutely blown away by your lesson. You are a natural teacher and it is a true gift. Thank you. I am a beginner and only starting out now with an interest in charcoal. I will be looking through your videos to see how to address the beginning of a piece and if I can't, which I doubt, find the answers I'm looking for, I will reach out. Your art is sublime in its story telling impact. Stay forever blessed.

[@TheSttheresa]

I'm a beginner and appreciate your explanations, please do more. Thank you Philip

[@MaarifatheArtist]

You answered my question, plus some more questions i had about graphite. Thanks a lot.

[@Godswillmpofu]

Perfect video for me, thank you so much, please keep helping us,

[@robertawestbrooks9531]

❤❤your drawings are 100%

[@carolhestand2561]

Thank you. This was helpful, please keep sharing. Your artwork is beautiful.

[@scottlondon8382]

Thanks bro you are really good at explaining things

[@aldrichkatigbak]

Thank You for your tips🤍 Keep teaching us🫶

[@ohiokid7]

Very helpful! Would love to see more detailed videos! Thanks for sharing!

[@Agomjnr]

Your welcome

[@suzanneboily5224]

Thank you for sharing

[@essoudouckkarl6223]

Thanks a lot for this inspiring video. I loved the way you explained the various ways of applying charcoal/graphite on paper. Also, the fact of using a larger scale for drawing details has been of great help. Will love see more inspiring videos from you. Keep it up 🔥🔥🔥

[@Agomjnr]

Glad I can help

[@prachidixit679]

Thanks for explaining that most important things i really like your way of explanation 👍

[@MickFutz]

You are the only one that answered my questions, thank you. You are an amazing artist! Love the videos!

[@Agomjnr]

Thank you, glad I could help

[@JA-Q28]

Your drawing on Instagram brought me here. Amazing✏️ ❤️

[@Agomjnr]

Thank you

[@victorogbonna839]

Very helpful sir

[@vitawhiting7400]

I just subscribed to your Instagram and KZbin. Your art is so impressive and so inspiring! You are a true miracle! Thanks for sharing your talent with us ❤

[@Agomjnr]

Thank you soo much, that means allot I really appreciate it

[@ephraimsanford5042]

Excellent work. And the video was really helpful. Hadn’t thought about how larger images are easier to add detail.

[@arkansasgrizzly]

Thank you so much! This was incredibly helpful. I’m transitioning from digital art to charcoal, and I learned more in this video than I have anywhere else. ✌🏻

[@Agomjnr]

You're welcome, I'm glad I can help

[@zxcvbnm6669]

Wow super awesome video extremely helpful

[@LeyLey41]

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and skills with us. Very clear and concise. your art is stunning. Especially with skin tone & texture!

[@Agomjnr]

Thank you, I'm glad I can help

[@venugopalimmadi7118]

Very helpful thank you sir

[@debbiefalconer2756]

Great information as I am just starting out, you artwork is truly beautiful and explicit in the detail, thank you Miracle Agom.

[@anilkankonkar8957]

Thanks for valuable information.

[@jrz7325]

You did a fantastic job. Thank you for sharing.

[@bethann1773]

I was trying to figure out if I could use both together and I learned some from trial and error but I am glad I came across this because it expands what I can do. Thank you

[@Agomjnr]

Your welcome, glad I could help

[@nestormairena_0331]

IN THIS VIDEO YOU TAUGHT ME SOME NEW THINGS ABOUT CHARCOAL AND GRAPHITE THAT I HAD NO IDEA O R. NEW ABOUT SO THANK YOU BECAUSE YOU MADE A NEW SUBSCRIBER

[@Agomjnr]

I'm Glad to hear that

[@jacobwinters401]

CAPS

[@dhruvpatel4552]

Helpful 👏👏👏

[@makatiaarts510]

Very helpful 💯💯

[@laurelglenn]

Great lesson thank you

[@jamesduncan578]

Thank you for sharing.

[@bonenfant96]

What an artist you are. Wow !

[@jpaganeng]

Very helpful this video. Well organized and explained. Thanks for putting it together! ❤

[@Agomjnr]

I'm Glad to hear that, thank you

[@Dannybills12]

This was very helpful Am a self-taught artist

[@donitafichter8298]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I hope to see more of your helpful videos! Ps…..Your work is absolutely beautiful!

[@Agomjnr]

Thanks I appreciate it

[@robinlandry518]

I learned a lot about both mediums thank you.

[@Agomjnr]

Glad I can help

[@suzanneboily5224]

Very helpfull

[@Jan-444]

Loved this video and yes learned so much from you ....I would love to know how to size up my drawing from a smaller reference photo...how do you draw it so large ..thank you hope that made sense. Also I use the grid method so cant figure this out!

[@edwarddevraj25]

Very helpful bro ❤ thank you

[@justinseagulllll]

this video was really reallyy helpful.. thank you !

[@dannyschristian6516]

Thanks for the explanation, its very enlightening

[@Agomjnr]

Glad I can help

[@GiovannaBorner-dm1fk]

Thank you for this information, it was very helpful. G

[@Agomjnr]

You're welcome

[@samuelasaneyaw1841]

Very helpful

[@omosebifelix701]

Thank you for this 🫡 Very helpful

[@barjotina9880]

Wow Quel talent ! 👍🌸🌷from France 🙂

[@stanleeart71]

Very helpful man..💯

[@katelem]

Very awesome video bro. Well done

[@Agomjnr]

Thank you

[@JoshuaChukwuma-w8p]

Thanks a lot, very helpful.

[@twingytwango6971]

Very helpful, thank you!😊

[@Agomjnr]

Your welcome

[@abdullahabdul-salam884]

Wow nice insight…you talked about blocking I’ll like to see a video on that technique

[@Agomjnr]

Sure

[@ArtistrycaaArt]

This is SO INFORMATIVE! 🤩🤩Thanks for such a helpful vid! You got a new sub!!! And I too hate the graphite shine.

[@Agomjnr]

I'm glad I could help

[@NeeCBaby]

Very informative . Was directed from your instagram

[@Dawglaw7362]

Appreciate this!

[@JustMe88419]

Great video! I personally use matt graphite, either Faber Castell graphite matt pencils or Staedtler Mars Lumograph Black pencils. These are graphite pencils that are non-reflective. These are like if graphite and charcoal had a baby together. Faber Castell pencils are a bit harder and better suited for higher detail but Staedtler is much closer to charcoal itself, super dark values and super soft allowing you to create seamless gradients without having to layer. Even though charcoal is great and still offers a little more than matt graphite, I lean more towards graphite because charcoal smudges and transfers to other pages and drawings far too easily unless you use a fixative on absolutely everything you do which makes sketchbooks very difficult to manage. Graphite can smudge but not nearly as badly as charcoal in my experience personally.

[@Agomjnr]

Yeah steadler Mars is the only pencil that comes close to charcoal but it still wouldn't replace charcoal for me, also I don't draw on sketch books so i dont exactly face the problems you face with charcoal but I can make charcoal work on any size or type of paper, it's all about practice and experience.

[@JustMe88419]

@@Agomjnr Cool. So out of curiosity, how do you store your art?? I really like your hyper-realistic pieces, I just wonder do you have to use fixative to store them when they aren't framed? Although I don't use charcoal often, I enjoy experimenting with other mediums when I can, and learning more about those mediums is always beneficial and fun.

[@Agomjnr]

@JustMe88419 yes I use fixatives for my charcoal drawings before I store them

[@jcepri]

Great video. have you ever used matte graphite pencils? If so, do they eliminate the glare?

[@andreavignes3153]

Great video. Can u please show exactly what paper u r using for charcoal drawing. Need to see because I am a beginner. I am currently using Strathmore Drawing Paper Pad 400 series, medium surface. Is there a better paper to use? Thank you and keep the videos coming. Have a nice day.

[@LentapwaHarold-dn5gs]

Nice

[@Chinornor]

Nice video, but my question is: can I apply both graphite and charcaol on one spot of a drawing or apply differently based on how tonal value is ( if it's light I will use graphite, if it's dark I apply charcoal)

[@Agomjnr]

Yes you can apply them both if the paper has enough texture but you will have more difficulty if the paper is very smooth.

[@marvelart_studio3027]

Wow💓, I love this. this video is really helpful, thank you so much for this enlightenment, I learnt a lot and I'll work more on it while using charcoal for drawing. I will like you to make a very explanative video on detailing and also on papers we can use she considering blending smooth with charcoal drawings.

[@Agomjnr]

Yes that would also be part of the series where I explain my materials

[@preciouschinda4600]

Very educating... Graphite shine can be annoying sometimes. You asked for suggestions for your next video, I think maybe a video about skin texture. Thanks again (press the artist) recently followed from your Instagram account... Ciao

[@Agomjnr]

Yeah I would definitely address that subject

[@ObijiChibuzo]

Would you recommend adding first later with graphite before charcoal and also Do you prefer Strathmore vellum paper or Strathmore smooth paper

[@Auquamanda]

How do you obtain the powder when you use brushes and cotton? Just the sanding block? I always get sand in my powder so I try using a razor blade to shave the blocks...takes a long time and is quite messy... tried putting it in plastic bags and crushing it but I ended up with holes in the bag and unevenly crushed graphite

[@WealthAfenikhena]

Very helpful I need to get better in my art 😢

[@alexiacerwinskipierce8114]

I still cannot figure out how to get large areas pure black that is smooth. Iv tried compressed charcoal and blending, adding layer after layer. I've tried powder and can never get the darker values with powder. I'm at a loss.

[@evansoleka3528]

Thank you so much for this details. Information like this oftentimes isn't free🙏 Also, I'm working on a drawing and I kinda got stuck. I used graphite pencil a soft one to shade a dark area in my drawing but then I realised it wasn't dark enough. I went on to use the charcoal pencil to make it darker but I realised I couldn't apply the charcoal on the graphite it just wasn't sitting right! Is there a way I can work around this?🙏

[@Agomjnr]

One way to apply charcoal into graphite is by applying graphite Powder, by not applying too much pressure & using textured paper

[@evansoleka3528]

@@Agomjnr thank you so much. I'd be sure to try this out😊🙏

[@DimmaArt]

Very helpful, but if I may ask glossy paper good for charcoal

[@Agomjnr]

No, it's too smooth to hold charcoal

[@DimmaArt]

OK thanks

[@jacobwinters401]

do you apply fixative to your work? I noticed that you arent worried about touch your pieces that are nearing completion with your palms. I just attempted to use charcoal and found it smudges far more easily than graphite which is great for some circumstances but of course not great for the preservation of the art work

[@Agomjnr]

I fix my work after they're finished and no I don't touch my work, it might look that way but my hands are actually hovering above the drawing

[@zf80521]

Thanx

[@bookerlambouths7370]

Could you please show on one of your videos how graphite and Choco work together

[@Agomjnr]

I'm working on that

[@Zedia949]

i wanna use charcoal but i find it hard to keep an even shade time to time so i just use different hard and softness graphite a lot

[@OnyedikaNwankwo-e5l]

Which paper do u use

[@agusamuel3087]

Please do you have a recommended plug to get the paper?

[@Agomjnr]

Not at the moment, I usually buy from a local art shop

[@conjurn.]

appericate the information. I was wondering what paper or material do you use to prevent smudging when working with larger pieces? glad to see you upload again btw

[@Agomjnr]

Thank you, there's more to come

[@DCxPencilWorkz]

What size rolls of paper do I need to scale up my work

[@Agomjnr]

That depends on the size you are currently working with

[@nancyvfinn5253]

Amazing work! Your term "cotton wool" is a paradox. I have spent my life working with both cotton and wool and they are not the same. Cotton comes from plants, wool from animals. I think you are referring to cotton balls, which kind of seem like wool. Maybe wool is something to try for blending. I will subscribe. Do you send out notifications? Please keep making videos.

[@ebriden37]

People in South Africa call “cotton wool” what in US we call “cotton ball”. It’s not a different material or a blend. Just what they call it.

[@Mayhem-train]

I really suck at using charcoal, I really struggle with keeping my drawing clean if that makes sense, I have a lot of excess charcoal and struggle getting to stick and not a lot of precision. 😞

[@zamorar]

Hello friend, can you tell me what paper you use?

[@Agomjnr]

300 grams hotpress paper

[@zamorar]

@@Agomjnr thank you

[@lawrenceosei8014]

I find it hard to get a smooth surface using charcoal on chromocoat

[@AgbasiChioma]

Please sir, I'm having a problem. I was drawing a face, a part of it looked realistic while the other part didn't even when I used the same procedure. I ended up ruining my paper. I don't know what to do😢😢

[@Agomjnr]

Sorry about that, unfortunately I don't have a solution for this because I can't see your drawing and I don't know what procedure was used.

[@AgbasiChioma]

@@Agomjnr oh, maybe I can show you on Instagram

[@kimgiveway4140]

Hey bro Please can you emphasize more on paper please 🙏🙏

[@Agomjnr]

Of course, I would make a video specifically for that

[@theartyswan]

Thanks that was super helpful. Always learning ways to improve, I too draw realism. @theartyswan You helped me realise how sloppy my techniques have become. Time for me to level up 😂. Love your work. ✍🏻✏️😍🇦🇺

[@RaphaelUdeh]

But and I use an embossed paper

[@am_amazin]

Can I use chromocoat

[@Agomjnr]

I've never used those so I don't know

[@michaelgroves180]

Personally I use soft charcoal for the darkest black and everything else is graphite,so in other words they won't blend together

[@Agomjnr]

They can with the right techniques

[@beverlydepasquale1986]

Thank you for such a thoughtful video. I was hoping to get clarity about putting charcoal over graphite in the eye area or some place I really wanted dark but graphite is already present. Could I use a workable fixative🫥?

[@Agomjnr]

Yes I believe a workable fixative would give you little room to apply charcoal over graphite

[@poppinarts9868]

Very helpful