Question about using charcoal for art?

Question

i like the look of the charcoal, and would like to continue using it. but when i do, the whole paper, even where its not supposed to be "charcoaled" has charcoal dust on it, sometimes making lineswhere it lands thicker. when i try to erase those lines, the dust around them goes too, leaving areas in the "white" parts that are whiter than the "white" parts around it, so there is more of a contrast than what i'd like. how can i use the charcoal more effectively in my drawings?

Answer 1

You can try using an oil based charcoal. It has all the benefits of that inspiring charcoal look without the messy work involved. It usually comes in thin, stick like blocks.

After, you can use hair-spray or a special charcoal spray to settle the charcoal dust in, this way, it does not spread to other artworks.  

Answer 2

Ah, you can place some adhesive paper (don't ask me what kind) on the white areas...

Err sorry I don't know exactly what you're talking of.  

Answer 3

Use the many different erasers.

Kneeded rubber erasers can be used like blotters to pick up the dust without making lines or smearing.  I really like kneeded rubber erasers.  

Rosin bags or those crumbley erasers can clear the dust too.  They are made for that light lean up of grafite and dust .  

Try a harder grade of charcoal that isn't as dusty.  Oil pastels? Oil charcoal?  

     Experiment with vine charcoal too. and charcoal pencils.  

The real trick tho is in how you use erasers. Took me 2 years to learn that.  Try starting with a completely blackened paper and erase the picture out of it.  Good practice. Great to experiment with.  

And when you're done use a fixative. Like hairspray or whatever.  

Answer 4

sTART WITH SCETCH  FIRST,THEN TRY CHARCOAL AS IT IS ALL OVER YOUR PAPER

Answer 5

If you have access to compressed air, you can blow the dust off every few minutes.  If not, consider fanning it off, and/or working with a fan blowing on the surface of the drawing pad.  This can, at least, minimize how much dust settles on the paper.

But, keep in mind that this is part of what it is to work in this medium.  Same is true for pastel artists and others.  Trying to erase all those lines is not a good idea.  You MIGHT try "lifting" some of the powder with a "kneaded" eraser (available at most art supply stores), but, what doesn't get lifted gets pressed deeper into the paper.

So, my best advice is to "control" the amount of dust that settles on the paper, and ignore the rest.

Answer 6

they have a spray that you can spray over your finished work so that doesn't happen =) I forgot what it is called, sketchfix or fixspray something like that lol I hope you find it! best of luck!