Understanding the Different Types of Charcoal Sticks: A Guide
Charcoal sticks are a popular art medium that artists of all skill levels use to create beautiful pieces of artwork. Charcoal sticks come in various shapes and sizes, each with its unique texture and appearance, that artists use to create different effects. If you’re new to art or just starting out with charcoal sticks, it can be challenging to know which type of charcoal stick to use for different art projects. In this guide, we’ll discuss the different types of charcoal sticks available and their unique features to help you choose the right one for your art project.
Natural Charcoal Sticks
Natural charcoal sticks are made by burning wood in the absence of oxygen. These sticks are black, brittle, and easily breakable. Natural charcoal sticks are available in various sizes, from thin to thick, and are used to create fine lines, broad strokes, and shading. The unique thing about natural charcoal sticks is that they produce a beautiful, rich black tone that is hard to replicate with other types of charcoal. Artists use natural charcoal sticks on rough papers, papers with tooth or texture, and sanded papers because they adhere to the surface well.
Compressed Charcoal Sticks
Compressed charcoal sticks are made by compressing powdered charcoal into a stick form. These sticks are available in different densities, from hard to soft, and produce various gray tones. Compressed charcoal sticks are used to create smooth, even tones and are ideal for creating detailed drawings or tonal studies. Unlike natural charcoal sticks, compressed charcoal sticks are durable and less messy to use. Artists use compressed charcoal sticks on smooth papers, vellum papers, and charcoal papers.
Charcoal Pencils
Charcoal pencils are made by mixing powdered charcoal with a binder and compressed to form a pencil shape. The unique thing about charcoal pencils is that they are easy to sharpen and provide precise control, making them ideal for creating detailed drawings. Charcoal pencils produce various gray tones and are available in different levels of hardness, from hard to soft. Artists use charcoal pencils on smooth papers, vellum papers, and charcoal papers.
Liquid Charcoal
Liquid charcoal is a water-soluble medium made by mixing charcoal powder with a binder and water. It is available in different concentrations and produces rich, velvety black tones. Liquid charcoal is suitable for creating washes, tonal layouts, and ink-like artwork. The unique thing about liquid charcoal is that it remains water-soluble even when dry, allowing artists to create layered effects. Artists use liquid charcoal on smooth papers, watercolor papers, or mixed media papers.
Charcoal Powder
Charcoal powder is a versatile, fine-grained powder made from pulverized charcoal. It comes in different grades of fineness and is used to create broad, sweeping strokes and tonal effects. The unique thing about charcoal powder is that it is used in many mixed media techniques and can be applied to various surfaces. Artists use charcoal powder with a variety of tools, including brushes, sponges, and fingers.
