Linzi writes: This is one of my favorite charcoals. I was trying to make it more dramatic by using my eraser for contrasts. I am 13 and have never taken any art classes so I would appreciate any tips!
Helen's Comment: This sketch has a lot of energy - very nicely done. I think you are on the right track using the eraser to life out highlights. Try to avoid smudging - it tends to flatten the tone and make it dull, because it pushes the charcoal into the paper. Where you've shaded lightly, little specks of white paper show between the grains of charcoal, reflecting light, making it seem bright and alive. Getting good tonal values with charcoal takes a bit of practice. Try using a sharp point and shading or hatching very lightly. Also, don't be afraid of using big areas of dark tone. Try drawing something on a black background. It can look very dramatic.