Charcoal Sketches 2012
I've been doing a lot of charcoal sketches lately as raffle art prizes at the conventions I've been set up at this fall. It really helps when you have a set deadline. I know that I've got to get it done by the next show, which has been pretty much every weekend for a few months now. ALMOST every weekend. So, I've got a lot of these! I'm going to talk a bit about the process while posting images along the way. Hope you enjoy.
Charcoal drawings are an exercise in the study of form in light. If you're learning how to paint, it may help to practice drawing a few charcoal sketches to get the hang of it. I like the medium a lot because the classic monsters I draw are already filmed in black and white, so it just feels right. It also makes the modern characters like Leatherface look creepy.
First, I sketch the contours and general shaping of my subject, then I focus on lighting and texture. I use a technique ,called reductive drawing, which matches my under-painting technique. I just pre-tone the board then erase the highlights and strengthen the darks. It's really pretty simple once you get the hang of it. You can switch up your charcoals between hard and soft, and between using pencils, sticks or vines. Vine charcoal is very soft and works wonders when you want clothing or fabric to appear believable.
Working in charcoal is great because of all the variation in tone you can get. You have such a high range of tones that the whole spectrum is there at your fingertips. I use both kneaded erasers and a makeup applicator, or even white charcoal pencil once in a while for adding highlights. To finish your piece, spray it with a fixative to prevent smudging.
There are a handful of ways to use charcoal effectively, so in this case, everything isn't always black and white!
Step 2: I sketch in all the main character elements that are important to the composition. Here is the time I think about size and eye flow in a painting. Still working monochromatic at this point.
Step 3: This is the final stage in the underpainting. The background elements go in and the final shading occurs. Once dry, I begin color application.
Step 4: The final color stage as well as painting the really small details and highlights comes in here. This is the fun part, when you get to see a painting come together.
And that is generally the basic structure for how my painting process works each time. It may seem difficult to others, but it works very well for me. If you have any other questions, always feel free to ask! I love what I do and wouldn't change a thing. The most important thing for each artist is to find one's own style. What works for you may not work for others. Whatever process feels most comfortable is the right one for you.
You can find me on Facebook at Horror Artist Chris Kuchta's Gallery of the Macabre and on Twitter at @Bloodedemon. Also DeviantART as bloodedemon and I'm now on Pinterest.
