Sketchbook Adventures - Charcoal

Have Fun - Try New Tools

I've been trying alot of different tools and techniques in drawing. Why? I don't know. Maybe bored, wanting a new look. The fact is, I love sketching, and each tool that I use gives my work a different feel.

In January, I drew this while looking out my window. A big storm was brewing, and I had to get this down quickly. So I opted for a charcoal pencil.

Charcoal works really well to get something down as fast as pie. With the angry clouds and the lighting on the clouds changing rapidly, I knew charcoal would work best.

Other drawings, I use a ball point pen. I just start drawing with it with no pencil outlines. Why? Because I can micromanage a drawing to death. A pen keeps you from making a perfect drawing. A perfect drawing lacks spontaneity. It has stiffness. Using a pen gets you out of the bad habit of constantly erasing.

The other day, I bought 10 cheap mechanical pencils. I completed 3 house studies with them quite rapidly. The mechanical pencils are great. When I want to be mobile, and I go from house to house, sketch to sketch, a mechanical pencil is the way to go. No need to bring sharpeners, sand paper, etc. Just push the eraser, and more lead is let out. Oh, and no need to bring an eraser, it's attached. I found a set of 10 cadoodles at an office supply store for 2.99. What a bargain. I can do quick studies, and with the magic of cross-hatching, I can add shading.

If you haven't gotten into the drawing habit, I implore you to try. Keep it simple. All you need is a good mechanical pencil, a ruler and cheap cartridge paper. What are you waiting for? Go draw a tree!

Live, love and paint,

Terry