Charcoal Portrait Workshop

Watch this video (https://youtu.be/8ACZCMIVf2E) as your teacher is giving instructions and tips. When the teacher pauses the video, try to draw what the artist is drawing.

Charcoal Workshop Notes

Knowledge- Charcoal is a medium used for drawing artworks. The charcoal used in class is made with Willow sticks that are burned. Charcoal has been used since pre-historic times and is still a favorite medium of many artists.

Safety- Charcoal is not toxic, but charcoal dust can irritate the lungs, eyes,and skin.

The way to avoid the hazards of charcoal dust is to not blow on the paper with charcoal on it. Gently pick up the paper and tip it on it's side to let the dust fall on the table or into the trash. Wipe the table with a wet paper towel to pick up the dust.

If your hands feel dry after using charcoal put some had lotion on your skin.

Care- Charcoal cleanup is easy. Just wash your hands with soap and water. Wash clothing with charcoal on it as you would normally wash clothing. It does not stain clothing unless you rub it hard into the fabric.

Vocabulary-

1. Medium- The substance the artist uses to create artwork, or, what the art is made of.
2. Hazard and Irritant- something that causes discomfort. Charcoal can irritate SKIN, EYES, and LUNGS.
3. Charcoal Medium- Carbon stick. Burned wood or compressed carbon from burned wood. Charcoal is a drawing medium for portraits and other 2-D artwork.
4. Portrait- artistic representation of a person, a drawing or painting, in which the face and its expression is clear. A Portrait can include the shoulders.
5. Orientation- using the paper or canvas in the upright position. If it is taller than it is wide it is called “portrait orientation”. Laying sideways or longer than tall is called “landscape orientation”.
6. Renaissance- a time period (1,400-1,600) when great advancements in Art happened across Europe.