Charcoal Shading: Understanding Values and Form
“I have just completed the charcoal shading course for the first time. The lessons and exercises are clear, concise and practical. I am now more confident using charcoal and have a solid foundation to build on. The course is well designed. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it! Thank you Nicole for everything you have taught me.” – Jenny
Charcoal Shading: Understanding Values and Form
- 3h 52min
Understanding values and form is the key to making your drawings and paintings look three dimensional. Charcoal is a fun, effective medium with which to add shading and learn about values. This 9-part course will teach you about values, light, and form, while also building up technical skills in charcoal, and finally putting it all together.
Suitable for beginners who have never used charcoal before, and more advanced artists who want to learn how to better understand values and form. Drawing skills are required for this course.
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Lesson Previews
Introduction
- 1min
Welcome to the charcoal shading course! Here is an overview of what to expect.
- 6min
Learn about the materials needed for the course, and tips on using them effectively.
- 21min
Practice using charcoal and learn how it works with these exercises. Perfect for beginners.
- 20min
Create your own value scale with this guided exercise that combines theory and practical skills.
- 17min
Now it’s time to learn how to see and compare values accurately. We’ll begin with greyscale.
- 24min
It can be tricky to see value when looking at vibrant colours. Learn how in this lesson.
- 6min
The key to understanding values and form! This lesson guides you through diagrams and a real life situation.
- 48min
Bring the theory and practical together in this guided lesson on how to begin a charcoal drawing.
- 54min
Add detail, refine edges, and further develop your charcoal drawing in this narrated lesson.
- 36min
Complete your charcoal drawing with this 3-step checklist.
What you'll learn
- How to use charcoal as a medium
- How to see, correct, compare, and understand values and form
- Tools to help simplify values and build a strong start to your drawing
- What are edges? Why are they important?
- A three-step checklist to finishing a charcoal drawing and creating the illusion of depth