1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Drawing / Sketching

Charcoal Drawing Exercise - Soft Volume

By Helen South, About.com

4 of 5

Developing the Form and Graduating Values

© H South, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Us a rag and blending stump to smooth areas of tone. (A rag will lift some tone, while the stump will blend without lifting much). Draw back into the darker areas, adding some definition. Don't neglect the background. This example has a relatively light background. A darker background can look very effective, as it allows you to create a more dramatic chiaroscuro effect.

Explore Drawing / Sketching

About.com Special Features

Scrapbook Technique Gallery

Use these ideas to inspire your own uniquely beautiful pages. More >

Price Your Collectibles

Find out how much your treasured collection is worth. More >

  1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Drawing / Sketching
  4. Techniques by Medium
  5. Charcoal and Conte Drawing
  6. Developing the Form and Graduating Values

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.