Charcoal (art)

The method used to create artists' charcoal is similar to that employed in other fields, such as producing gunpowder and cooking fuel.

[5] The removable properties of willow and vine charcoal, through dusting and erasing, are favored by artists for making preliminary sketches or basic compositions.

Designed to be similar to graphite pencils while maintaining most of the properties of charcoal, they are often used for fine and crisp detailed drawings, while keeping the user's hand from being marked.

The use of toned paper allows different possibilities as white oil pastels (commonly referred to by the brand name Conté) can be used in combination with charcoal to create contrast.

It can be shaped by kneading it softly with hands, into tips for smaller areas or flipped inside out to clean.

Charcoal was often a key component of cave painting, with examples dating back to at least 28,000 years ago.

At the end of the 15th century, a process of submerging the drawings in a gum bath was implemented to prevent the charcoal from flaking away.

[citation needed] Throughout western art history, artists well known for other mediums have used charcoal for sketching or preliminary studies for final paintings.

Examples of contemporary artists using charcoal as a primary medium are Robert Longo, William Kentridge, Dan Pyle and Joel Daniel Phillips.