Begin to Draw in Charcoal

About

11.30am-5pm | 16+ yrs
Discover the fundamentals of charcoal drawing in this beginner-friendly workshop. Using a still life as inspiration, you'll explore mark-making, tone, and observation skills. This will be through enjoyable exercises, building confidence while learning to translate what you see onto paper.

What will the workshop cover and how will it be taught?
This workshop introduces the fundamentals of drawing using willow charcoal and putty rubbers, providing a hands-on, approachable way to explore this expressive medium. Working from a still life arrangement, you will develop your ability to observe and translate shapes, forms, and proportions onto paper. The course focuses on key technical skills, including mark-making, line, tonal variation, and erasing to create highlights and textures. You will learn how to build up layers of tone, control contrasts, and use putty rubbers to refine and enhance tonal depth, giving your drawings a sense of volume and presence.

Practical exercises will guide you in exploring different approaches to charcoal, experimenting with line, shading, and composition. Teaching methods include live demonstrations, guided practice, group discussion, and one-to-one feedback. By the end of the workshop, you will have greater confidence in using willow charcoal and putty rubbers to produce expressive, well-observed drawings with both technical skill and personal style.

Who is it suitable for?
Suitable for all levels of ability.