This art tutorial focuses on the different ways in which charcoals and pastels can be used within portraiture and highlights the different properties, elements and techniques in which they can be used.

The instructor is concise with what he is teaching and passionately talks about how charcoal and pastel can work in harmony to create amazing and complimentary effects within your drawings. He begins by mentioning how it is important to realise how different materials work differently on different surfaces and materials so it is key to practice with a variety of each of these two aspects. The softer and larger the pastel makes it easier to cover broad areas of the page for quick filling and large surface coverage which can be very effective in creating atmosphere and space.

The charcoal pencil offers the ability to be used for intricate detailing as well as offering versatility when combined with the softer pastel or charcoal. For example in this video he uses the black charcoal pencil to denote shade, tone and detail with minimal application but still manages to leave a prominent appearance within the drawing. Initially he controls the tones by applying or relieving pressure on the charcoals and is very loose in his method, this gives a rawness and style unique to himself.

The white charcoal pencil is introduced to produce luminosity to the portrait and with the subtle application of the white charcoal pencil the portrait starts to take on a more suggestive yet controlled appearance. The artist also offers advice on how to use the stump to gain maximum results by not overusing it and instead smudging certain areas to create volume within the sketch but also by using it as a pencil too by sensitively drawing with it in the desired areas like the wrinkles around the eyes or the delicate tones surrounding the ears.

If the stump is over used it is likely that your picture will take on a lifeless and flat appearance so it is important to know when to stop, which you will learn from viewing this charcoal tutorial. He expresses that skill comes with practice and experience so it is important to familiarize yourself with your preferred materials and know their individual qualities and assets to see what they can bring to your style of drawing.

The use of the eraser in the charcoal drawing is as much a drawing implement as it is something to remove certain areas of wrong doing. So use it to the add highlights and give pronounced areas a greater sense of depth like the cheekbones or chin and use it to your full advantage to create an organic asset to further your portrait.

Like all good tutorials this is very well narrated and easy to learn from regardless of your skill level as an artist so be sure to take in what is being demonstrated and increase your artistic flare. This is a classic example of how to draw organically with charcoals and pastels.