Charcoal Gear

Below is a listing of the charcoal gear and materials that I use.

Click on the links (underlined text) to view items at Amazon, or even better, if you live in the Los Angeles area you can purchase many of these items at Blue Rooster in Pasadena.

Charcoal Gear

Here are the materials I use:

  • Cretacolor Chunky Charcoal (also available at Blue Rooster)

  • Holder for charcoal / I insert the charcoal into this holder with the charcoal slightly extended out / This allows me access to the charcoal and keeps my hands clean as I draw

  • Large Tortillions (tapered blending stumps) / I scrub these on the charcoal and use them as drawing tools / be sure to get the large size

  • Staedtler Pencil Holder / I use this as a holder for the tortillion / I wrap some tape around the tortillion before inserting it into the pencil holder – this adds good grip so it doesn’t slip out of the pencil holder

  • Charcoal Pencil / for adding small accents or razor-sharp edges / any brand is fine

  • I typically have two tortillions and pencil holders with me when I draw – one I use for applying the charcoal, and the other I use for blending and softening edges

My charcoal gear

Erasers

Erasers can be used for erasing, refining values, and even as drawing tools (for making light marks). Here is what I use:

Left to right: kneaded eraser, retractable eraser, and rechargeable eraser

Drawing Pad

Quality, heavier-weight paper is key to an enjoyable drawing experience and a better finished drawing. Here is what I prefer:

  • Lennox Cotton Drawing Pad / 250gsm / 15 sheets / I use the 11” x 14” size

  • If you cannot find the Lennox, another very good drawing paper is Strathmore Series 400 Drawing Pad / 130gm (80lb.) / 24 sheets in various sizes / or Strathmore Series 400 Recycled Drawing Pad / 130gm (80lb.) / 24 sheets in various sizes

  • You can find both of these drawing pads at Blue Rooster in Pasadena

(Left) Lennox Cotton Drawing Pad, and (right) Strathmore Series 400 Drawing Pads, regular (brown cover) and recycled (green cover)

Other Drawing Items

  • Small brush — I use a compact makeup brush to remove excess graphite or eraser shavings from a drawing

  • Small microfiber towel — to rest my hand on so I don’t smudge the drawing

  • Small pouch to hold drawing materials — any type or brand is fine (not shown in photo below)

Small microfiber towel and compact makeup brush

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

Thank you!

Richard
richard@sketchwithscott.com