Charcoal has a unique power in drawing. Its softness and depth allow artists to create rich tones, expressive marks and a sense of atmosphere that other mediums cannot quite capture. This month I held two workshops that celebrated the versatility of charcoal: Drawing Calm, a still life session inspired by Ancient Greece, and a portrait workshop focused on capturing character and form.
The first workshop, Drawing Calm, invited participants to slow down and immerse themselves in the meditative process of observation. The still life arrangement was inspired by objects from Ancient Greece: draped fabrics, simple vessels and sculptural forms. Working step by step, participants learned how to build up structure through light sketching, gradually developing their drawings with layers of tone and texture. The session encouraged careful looking, an appreciation of form and shadow, and the quiet rhythm of drawing as a way to find calm and focus.
The second workshop turned to portraiture, where participants were guided in drawing the human face. Portraits in charcoal demand both precision and freedom. There is the discipline of proportion and structure, balanced with the expressive qualities of line and shading. Participants learned techniques for mapping facial features, creating depth through light and shadow, and using highlights to bring life to the eyes. The emphasis was on capturing not just likeness but also presence, mood and individuality.
Both workshops revealed the beauty of charcoal as a medium. In Drawing Calm it brought out the timeless stillness of classical forms. In the portrait session it revealed the subtleties of human expression. What united them was the way charcoal allows artists to work boldly yet sensitively, creating drawings that are both powerful and delicate.
