Abdu'l-Baha

[Patricia Joyce]

Wow! That's all I can think of!! What brand charcoal pencils do you use and what paper is this?? Really beaufitul detail.

[Jimmie Arroyo]

Thanks for the detail. I'd also like to know the brand of paper. I'm doing a charcoal piece right now and using Canson sky-blue paper, smooth side. I'm smudging like crazy tho, just a test, I'm picking up dust with my tortillion, and using it as some type of brush. It's working ok, I hope.

[Kevin Noonan]

David

Another wonderful piece.

I've never used charcoal and this is inspiring me to try, especially as I want to start using oils and graphite isn't recommended as part of the under painting process. Any tips for someone who has never used charcoal before? Have you used pastels? Is it similar? I didn't even know you could get hard or soft pencils in charcoal. Time to browse the art supply store me thinks. Any major do

[David Draime]

Patricia, I use "General's" brand charcoal pencils. I've never really tried any other, but these seem to work fine, and they come in different grades. And their white pencils have a good feel to them. The paper: I think it was a Canson, but I'm not sure (sorry). It was very thin, I've never done such an involved drawing on such thin paper, it just seemed so fragile. All I know is I fell in love with the color, a beautiful shade of green. I'm going to use it again and I'll let you know exactly what it was when I get some more.

Jimmie, I'd really love to see what you come up with. I'm sure it will be great.

Kevin, thanks for the warm reply. I hesitate to give any advice because what might be a "don't" for me may be a "do" for you. I think you just need to dive right in and try several shades/tints of paper. I have found that the value and color of the paper (as well as it's texture) make a huge difference. I've done 4 of these now and each one was a completely different experience due to the (sometimes subtle) differences in the paper. I've abandoned a few when the particular paper wasn't happenin' for me.

I haven't done any pastels in ages, but I am curious to do one again at some point.

David

[Linda Brandon]

David, this is a fantastic drawing! It's very beautifully done. My first thought when seeing it was that it was an etching. The fact that you don't smudge your charcoal probably contributes to this effect.

Re: your thoughts about changing the paper for drawings:
I had the same thought today while painting in oil on a new type of linen panel. Everything was incredibly different (and in my case, not in a good way). It's odd how changing the ground for artwork manages to change everything.

I'm really enjoying seeing all the wonderful drawings showing up on the Forum these days.

[Janel Maples]

David,

Thanks for the fuel. What a boost of creative energy you have given me.



Janel