Sketching Strees with Organic Strokes

Charcoal allows great control over edges, lines, and shades. In my art classes I place great emphasis in the quality and variety of charcoal strokes. The skills acquired in charcoal sketching carry over into watercolor and oil painting in my advanced classes.

Landscape with Gouache Media

This is an 11x14 gouache landscape on watercolor paper.

Sunrise at the Pond

Gouache and Charcoal in Stages

Here are some of the steps I took to complete the painting.

Sunset by the Fence

Intermediate stage

Initial Stage

Vista Senior Center Paint Club

Here is may first charcoal sketch with the paint club.

Mourning Dove

Goauche Advanced Technique

A winter scene rendered with gouache and charcoal on watercolor paper.

A Cold Winter

Drawing is The Backbone of All Art

When we practice drawing every day, we are in good company. Michelangelo used to draw one hour a day and Claude Monet dedicated two years to charcoal drawing.

This sketch was made during the monthly evening meeting of the Vista Art Foundation. Materials: General's HB charcoal pencil, paper blenders, and Fabel Castell Perfection 7056 eraser pencil on white card stock 110lb.

Bird Analysis

Charcoal Studies

Two more charcoal studies from last night and this morning. I use 110lb card stock paper with a smooth finish.

Seagull Picture Time

Desert Trees by a Dried Creek

More Classes on Charcoal Sketching

Some examples of the work we do with the students.

Sandpiper by the Shore

Seagull in Flight

Kraft Paper Sketch

This is a sketch on Kraft paper, black and white charcoal pencils.

Lips

Charcoal on card Stock

Here an example of charcoal on a smooth surface.

Curious Rabbit

The Windmill and the Tree

Layered gouache and charcoal on watercolor paper.

Over the Hill