Mediapedia: A Guide to Charcoal Drawing, Graphite & Conté Crayons

Free Download! – A Guide to Charcoal, Graphite & Conté Crayons Charcoal drawing is convenient and simple—you can take the supplies with you anywhere you go for a quick sketch when you’re out and about. In this free download from The Artist’s Magazine’s Mediapedia (an encyclopedia of art media), you’ll learn the basics of drawing with charcoal, graphite and Conté crayons, which can be applied to any subject: figure drawing, portrait drawing…the possibilities are endless. Mediapedia: Graphite, Charcoal & Conté Crayons by Greg Albert includes FAQs about pencil lead, details on the permanency of charcoal drawing materials, tips on how to protect a charcoal drawing, advice on the best way to store drawings and more! * Start Charcoal Drawing Today with this FREE Download!!

Drawing with Charcoal vs. Graphite vs. Conté Crayons

So what’s the difference between drawing with charcoal, graphite or Conté crayons? Albert, author of The Simple Secret to Better Painting (North Light Books) and contributor to The Artist’s Magazine, explains that there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to this wonderful trio of drawing tools. When you know the pros and cons of each drawing medium, you’ll be armed with the accurate information you need to get started experimenting with the medium that speaks to you.

Each medium offers slightly different results: maybe you’re looking for something that is easy to erase and covers well across the paper, perhaps you like to work with a softer tip. Whether you’ve yet to discover which you prefer or you’re curious to learn more about the versatile properties, Mediapedia: Graphite, Charcoal & Conté Crayons is the perfect companion to teach you more so that you can get started.

“Drawing is the most fundamental skill for the visual artist,” says Albert, “whether the result is loose, preliminary and exploratory or highly stylized, schematic and sophisticated.” Learning about drawing tools is essential so that you can create art with the medium that best expresses your personal style.

Which medium produces fine lines as opposed to continuous gradations of tone? What are some unexpected ways to use common tools in a drawing? How can you make a softer substrate to change the drawing surface? There are so many questions, but to make it easy for you to get started with charcoal drawing and more, Albert provides you with a list of must-have tools and even explains the chemistry of charcoal, graphite and Conté crayons. He also offers a concise guide to paper, so you have the information you need to make your charcoal drawing ideas reality.

Plus, along with this free download from The Artist’s Magazine, you’ll receive the free ArtistsNetwork newsletter with free demonstrations in painting with watercolor, oil, pastel and acrylic and, of course, drawing lessons! Get inspiration delivered right to your inbox with articles from Pastel Journal, Watercolor Artist and The Artist’s Magazine and special discounts on instructional books and DVDs from North Light Shop. Download Mediapedia: Graphite, Charcoal & Conté Crayons from The Artist’s Magazine today to get started improving your art skills!

In addition to being the author of The Simple Secret to Better Painting, Albert is a longtime contributor to The Artist’s Magazine, in which he offers advice to readers and artists about a variety of media from the Ask the Experts column. We’re pleased to share with you this free PDF of his Mediapedia: Graphite, Charcoal & Conté Crayons article, which includes a special section on drawing FAQs, must-have tools and a concise guide to paper.

Frequently Asked Questions About Charcoal Drawing

So you want to start drawing. You might be curious about some aspects of charcoal, graphite and Conté crayons, so don’t miss this special section of FAQs and answers.

Graphite was first discovered in the 16^th century; how safe is it to use today? Also discover the permanency of charcoal drawing materials, how to protect a charcoal drawing, the best way to store drawings and more.

Must-Have Tools for Charcoal Drawing

What do you need to start drawing with charcoal, graphite and Conté crayons? Don’t be left with a drawing that you can’t quite perfect! In this special section of Mediapedia, find out what to stock your sketch bag with so that you can get the best results in your art. You’ll be surprised by some of the simple tools that’ll give you more freedom to capture the look you’re going for in any drawing.

Concise Guide to Paper for Charcoal Drawing

The choices for papers and substrates can be overwhelming, especially when you have inspiration and just want to draw. Some possibilities are newsprint, drawing paper, handmade papers, charcoal paper and cotton rag paper. Albert’s introduction to drawing papers is the solution to knowing what each of these have to offer. Enter your email address for this free download so that you can walk into any art supply store with a base understanding of the best surfaces for various applications.