Drawing with Charcoal

I work in charcoal and have been disappointed in the flatness of my work. I needed to find some help in giving my projects life, energy, and dynamics. Ms Boucher must have been watching over my shoulder because she has shared her many strategies and, most importantly, her techniques for developing intense, interesting, and exciting charcoal work. There are many things to like about this book, but my favorites are the many "tasks" she has us do to develop specific skills which she then adds suggestions on how to make creative changes to them such as using different materials, changing application methods, and adding new materials. If a person follows her book, the results will be an important collection of pages illustrating each of the skills she explains in excellent detail and clarity in both language and excellent photographs. This is very similar to creating mixing charts with watercolors that are always useful! I cannot find anything to criticize in this book, one of the very best art tutorials I have encountered and has made immediate, positive changes in my own drawings.

Very thorough. Great addition to my library.

I rarely rush to write a review. This book by Kate Boucher on charcoal is quite exhaustive in every aspect if you want to explore this wonderful medium for all its possibilities! It is intelliently written and in my oppinion, as an experienced artist is an excellent course that will give you the ability to make your own choices for this medium and to know WHY you are making those choices. I have taken many many courses in art. This book is like a full fledged course you would pay quite a large sum for online. AND the advice on how to fix your drawings naturally without destroying your drawing, paper or your lungs is something I had searched for but couldnt find an answer before. Very happy with this book. Thank You Kate!

Está interesante, lo único es que no viene tan ejemplificado y tienes que tener algo de conocimiento para disfrutar totalmente de su contenido. Pero igualmente lo recomiendo.

One of the best instructional books I've bought. Unlike many that promise and don't deliver I'm excited to try the techniques out. I've always disliked charcoal and now I understand why - I've never been taught the basics!

I only just got this book a day ago, so it remains to be seen just how useful it will be; I bought it to supplement my own teaching and inspire those students who have recently discovered the charcoal medium.The author favours a broad approach to charcoal with an emphasis on landscape; she covers the basics of the medium very thoroughly (it's a relatively easy and flexible material to get to grips with) and the series of projects and drawing ideas she presents later in the book are useful.Anyone who has used charcoal will know that the main considerations are a place to work (as it's a very messy medium, especially if used on a large scale) and finished work requires fixing and careful storage.The “Look inside” option above doesn`t really give a good idea of it`s content; it will certainly be helpful for the adventurous beginner and it`s illustrations of examples and step-by-step work in progress is fairly well laid-out.There are some exploratory exercises using pastels for colour towards the end of the book.As an introduction for the novice (perhaps with a little drawing experience in other media already) I think this would be quite good; for myself, it`s a handy reference to have.

This book had good reviews & the book has not disappointed, it is very thorough , great information & readable , with great instruction. I have leant a lot & pleased I bought the book.

More than an excellent in-depth practical guide to one medium, there are also sound art practices and applied methods to generate ideas and explore new directions.The final images are a superb interpretive balance between abstraction and realism.This will quickly become a "go-to" resource for artists.