Charcoal Art – A 101 guide!

You might hear about charcoal linked to various things nowadays, like roads, toothpaste, beauty products, and more. But in this blog, we're focusing on a unique aspect of charcoal: its connection with art. Charcoal art is a lesser-known form of art. If you love different artists' works, you might have come across it. Let's dive into Charcoal art and explore its essence through Thota Vaikuntam artwork.

What is Charcoal art?

Charcoal art is a drawing technique using charred wood. It's common in art student's learning. It's great for practising drawing gestures and focusing on big shapes without getting stuck in details. By changing finger pressure and rotating the charcoal, artists create different shades. Art can make unique strokes on surfaces, as seen in Thota Vaikuntam's painting. Charcoal art reacts to paper grain, like other drawing tools.

History of charcoal art

Charcoal art has a long history. Early humans used charcoal in caves to create their artworks, making it one of the oldest art forms around 28,000 years ago. Over time, charcoal evolved from burnt wood to finely ground charcoal sticks, crayons, and pencils, often bound with wax or gum for easier use.

Types of Charcoal used

There are different types of charcoal that artists use. Beginners often start with charcoal pencils, which are recommended by many artists. Other types include Willow or Vine charcoal, Compressed charcoal, and Charcoal powder.

Tools used in this art

Here are the tools you'll need for charcoal art:

●        Charcoal sticks – Get different types like vine, compressed, and pencil charcoal.

●        Kneaded eraser – It's special for lifting charcoal off the surface.

●        Blending stumps – These help blend and smear charcoal smoothly.

●        Paper towel – Useful for keeping your hand from smudging the drawing when working on a flat surface.

Famous artists in this art

Many famous artists contribute to the world of charcoal art, preserving its essence. Here are some notable names:

●        Gunjan Daga

●        Sadashiv Sawant

●        Shubham Kamble

●        Thota Vaikuntam

●        Amit Kumar Meena

●        Dennis Creffield

●        Käthe Kollwitz

●        Leon Kossoff

●        Frank Auerbach

●        Henry Moore

Each of these artists has made significant contributions to the tradition of charcoal art, both nationally and internationally.

End Note

We've learned that charcoal is a versatile tool for artists. It can be used in many different art styles. When used on textured paper, charcoal art creates a strong impact. Artists can control their work by adjusting the pressure of their hands. Thota Vaikuntam paintings showcase this technique well.