Charcoal art is a form of art in which charcoal powder and different types of charcoal- vine, compressed, pencil form is used. Charcoal has remained a popular medium for drawing since the Renaissance. Soft sticks of black charcoal are often staples in introductory drawing classes. The smooth, brittle material is both forgiving and challenging, and so it’s ideal for honing drawing skills. Manufactured in various densities—from vine charcoal for swift, light strokes to compressed charcoal for thick, intense marks—charcoal is useful for exploring light and contrast, and it enables artists to develop rich tonal values. At first, however, the material can be difficult to harness, but gudiance and patience you too can learn to love one of the oldest expressions of art!