Cpx24.com CPM Program

The Work Of Contemporary Charcoal Artists

By Sharron Cantu


Drawing has traditionally been a part of the artistic process. From art students to professionals, the unique characteristics of charcoal have been appreciated for centuries. Many an artist used this medium for producing preparatory drawings. Contemporary charcoal artists, however, are using this medium in different ways and elevating this art form to new heights.

Every type of genre and style is covered by these drawings. Some are more realistic in nature such as portraits, wildlife and botanical drawings. However, even those that are realistic often have interesting juxtapositions of concepts or objects. There are those that are more impressionist in nature and even some with more surreal qualities.

There are some basic tools that are used by most professionals. Charcoal is found in various forms, some of which are more suitable for covering large areas and others for more detailed work. A stick is created by slow burning twigs like willow until carbon is formed. A compressed type is created by binding particles with gum. This type creates darker marks but is not spread or erased as easily as the vine form. The paper is usually carefully selected to properly hold the particles and various erasers are used. Other techniques like blending and spreading require tools like a blending stamp.

These materials used are deceptively simple. They are able to be used to produce drawings of the greatest complexity. Using many different values of black and white creates a subtlety and unusual quality. Whatever medium is used by artists, from watercolors to oils, these values are always of vital importance.

Beauty is often associated with color but artists using only black and white discover a certain magic that comes from simply working with shadows, mid-tones and highlights. An experienced artist is able to create levels of gradation just by varying the pressure of the fingers or by other means such as erasing, blending or smearing. A really skilled hand not only produces subtle shades and tones but captures both detail and emotions in drawings.

This medium is not permanent and this has advantages and disadvantages. It has a flexibility as it is easily erased, spread and blended. However, a fixative has to be used on completion to make it permanent. Various types of fixatives can be used, some of which are more permanent than others.

Those using this medium today are reaching new heights. They are experimenting with innovative forms of expression. One such artist is a dancer who draws on a large scale, representing the movements of the human body. Another artist shoots his drawings in sequence of development, creating short animated films.

There are a vast range of such drawings available for purchase online. This medium has been used for centuries and will probably be used for centuries to come. It will always have a place in the art world due to the unique way light and dark can be expressed and subtle shades, tones and emotions can be expressed. The fact that artists are increasingly stretching the limits of this medium is exciting and the wide range of drawings in all sorts of genres means that there is something to suit every budget and preference.




About the Author:



Aucun commentaire:

Enregistrer un commentaire

 
Google Analytics Alternative