Anyone here draw in pencil (formerly charcoal)?

[Drama Llama]

My 11 year old has gotten very into sketching recently.  He mostly uses a number 2 pencil, and doesn't add any color.  He also erases a lot.  

I am wondering if some charcoal and charcoal supplies like a pad of paper, and a kneaded eraser would be a good gift.

Anyone have experience?  Suggestions?  

 

ETA: You have convinced me that charcoal is not the medium for my kid, who likes to draw in all sorts of places not conducive to mess.

So, new question, what is would you buy for a kid who likes to draw in pencil without color?  

Edited December 12, 2021 by Baseballandhockey

[itsheresomewhere]

I do some and DD does a lot.   I got a really nice kit on Amazon recently for DD.  They had a few nice kits very reasonable that you couldn’t go wrong with.  Just pick up a few extra erasers. 

[Drama Llama]

8 minutes ago, itsheresomewhere said:

I do some and DD does a lot.   I got a really nice kit on Amazon recently for DD.  They had a few nice kits very reasonable that you couldn’t go wrong with.  Just pick up a few extra erasers. 

Do you like it better than pencil?  He currently mostly draws with a number 2 pencil.  

How do I know if a kit is nice?  Are there things to look for?

[itsheresomewhere]

1 minute ago, Baseballandhockey said:

Do you like it better than pencil?  He currently mostly draws with a number 2 pencil.  

How do I know if a kit is nice?  Are there things to look for?

It depends on what I am doing if I like it more or not.  
 

I like the kits that had a nice mixture of charcoal and pencils.  These two are not bad especially for a beginner. 

Norberg & Linden XL Drawing Set - Sketching, Graphite and Charcoal Pencils. Includes 100 Page Drawing Pad, Kneaded Eraser, Blending Stump. Art Kit and Supplies for Kids, Teens and Adults. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07813KBTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SDX0KKR3QV47QHRCQSX1

Castle Art Supplies 26 Piece Drawing and Sketching Pencil Art Set: Perfect for Beginners, Kids or Any Aspiring Artist - Includes Graphite Pencils and Sticks, Charcoal Pencils, Erasers and Sharpeners https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K7KT2E8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_GYB5DY326ZX95XJ9JSBE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[KSera]

Mine likes the charcoal pencils because they allow the softness of charcoal without all the mess of charcoal sticks. This set was a simple starter one that was appreciated:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GPDG9ZR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also once got an earlier (now soldout) set similar to this from Scrawlr Box: https://scrawlrbox.uk/collections/previous-boxes/products/sep-21-scrawlrbox

[Catwoman]

Personally, I have never liked working with charcoal. I know a lot of artists like it, but before you buy it for your ds, you might want to see if he has any interest in it. People seem to either love it or hate it, as it can be messy (not as messy with the pencils, but they aren’t as versatile as the vine charcoal sticks,) and you really need to spray the finished artwork with a fixative.

If he likes pencil drawing, I would probably get him a set of really nice drawing pencils of different hardnesses, some colored pencils and/or maybe a set of Pigma Micron pens. 

[prairiewindmomma]

We have charcoal here---vine & willow sticks, pencils, and the compressed stuff (wands? I don't know what to call them. They are the thingies that are the long cuboids. I don't really like the sticks or the cuboids. I don't like the mess and the charcoal pencils do much the same thing.

If he's wanting to get into that, I'd recommend:

https://www.dickblick.com/products/derwent-charcoal-pencils/

I like the Derwent compared to General's. 

https://www.dickblick.com/products/generals-factis-extra-soft-eraser/?fromSearch=%2Fsearch%2F%3Fq%3Dcharcoal%20eraser

https://www.dickblick.com/products/sennelier-delacroix-spray-fixative-for-pencils-charcoals/?fromSearch=%2Fsearch%2F%3Fq%3Dcharcoal%20fixative

But, honestly, charcoal is like glitter. I don't encourage my kids to take it up because it just leads to smears, ruined shirts, and other messes.

[Zoo Keeper]

If he enjoys drawing with a No. 2 pencil, he will probably enjoy using a full range of drawing pencils-- like in this kind of kit.  The B pencils have a softer lead that lays down a darker line, and the H pencils have a harder lead that lays down a lighter line.  Learning how to layer the pencils can make a very nice range of values. 

A kneaded eraser is good to have, as is a white plastic eraser.

 

Edited December 12, 2021 by Zoo Keeper

[itsheresomewhere]

Just an odd suggestion-  would he might be interested in an art box subscription? There are few really neat ones that send different supplies once a months. You can give a gift subscription for short bit. He might find a few different mediums he really likes that way. 

[Catwoman]

2 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

We have charcoal here---vine & willow sticks, pencils, and the compressed stuff (wands? I don't know what to call them. They are the thingies that are the long cuboids. I don't really like the sticks or the cuboids. I don't like the mess and the charcoal pencils do much the same thing.

If he's wanting to get into that, I'd recommend:

https://www.dickblick.com/products/derwent-charcoal-pencils/

I like the Derwent compared to General's. 

https://www.dickblick.com/products/generals-factis-extra-soft-eraser/?fromSearch=%2Fsearch%2F%3Fq%3Dcharcoal%20eraser

https://www.dickblick.com/products/sennelier-delacroix-spray-fixative-for-pencils-charcoals/?fromSearch=%2Fsearch%2F%3Fq%3Dcharcoal%20fixative

But, honestly, charcoal is like glitter. I don't encourage my kids to take it up because it just leads to smears, ruined shirts, and other messes.

Adding my recommendation for the Derwent charcoal pencils, if you decide to get them.

I also LOVE Derwent drawing pencils, and they make everything from small (super cute!) tins to fancy wooden box sets of them. If your son likes to draw with pencils, these are a game changer.

[Resilient]

Graphite and charcoal inspiration.  
https://www.joeldanielphillips.com

Homeschooled kid whose mother worried that he never stopped doodling. 

[fraidycat]

3 hours ago, Resilient said:

Graphite and charcoal inspiration.  
https://www.joeldanielphillips.com

Homeschooled kid whose mother worried that he never stopped doodling. 

Those are amazing!

My sister-in-law did a pencil drawing of my dad for my brother after Dad passed away. 
 

 

 

Edited December 12, 2021 by fraidycat

[Tap]

1 hour ago, Baseballandhockey said:

My 11 year old has gotten very into sketching recently.  He mostly uses a number 2 pencil, and doesn't add any color.  He also erases a lot.  

I am wondering if some charcoal and charcoal supplies like a pad of paper, and a kneaded eraser would be a good gift.

Anyone have experience?  Suggestions?  

Due to the bolded above, I would stick with charcoal pencils. Raw charcoal is fussy and not forgiving for someone who really likes control over the medium. You can absolutely blend and erase charcoal, but being smudgy is part of working with it. 

Derwent is a good student grade item in pencil forms and comes in tints too, so he can work in a bit of color if he wants. 

A kit like this is a great item to add to the experience of working in pencil or charcoal.

[RootAnn]

Echoing others that I'd go with the pencil set & kneaded eraser. See what he thinks of those first.

My artist kid found she enjoyed art with a new medium of she had the right tools.  For watercolor,  that was the right paper and better quality brushes.

The Derwent kit should be good. 

[cintinative]

Oooh, I did not know there are charcoal pencils. Off to google. 

Echoing the earlier advice--charcoal is so, so messy.  I would start with a good set of drawing pencils and some sort of guide as to their use. 

We plan to do some charcoal this year but I'm not sure how it will go.

Oh, if you get charcoal, either buy fixative or some aerosol hair spray to set it on the paper or it will smear.

[Drama Llama]

Thanks everyone, you've all convinced me this isn't the medium for him, and I should get better pencils instead.  He likes to sketch lying on the floor in front of a hockey game or church, or in math class (we're working on that lol) or in the car waiting for his brother somewhere.  I don't think a messy material would work in those situations.  

 

[katilac]

Any of the standard brands will be fine: Staedtler, Derwent, General's. 

My youngest is an art minor, and we have a bunch of drawing pencils of course, but she mostly sticks with a regular mechanical pencil and one with thick lead (she does color most of hers). Definitely be prepared for lots of swings and misses if he keeps this interest; it's just really hard to tell what you will wind up using most. 

[EKS]

I know you said no color, but he might enjoy a set of watercolor pencils.  You put the color on with the pencil and then you can smooth it out with water and a brush.  So he could draw in pencil and then add a splash of color.  A set of regular color pencils might be fun too.

[Guest]

A set of sketching pencils, nice sketch pad of paper and a kneaded eraser. Oh, and a *good* pencil sharpener. 
 

If you want to get very Bougie, get a drawing whisk, with which you can sweep eraser crumbles off the artwork without smudging anything. 

[RootAnn]

10 minutes ago, Quill said:

If you want to get very Bougie, get a drawing whisk, with which you can sweep eraser crumbles off the artwork without smudging anything. 

It has a name!? Dd uses a blush brush (makeup powder brush) for this purpose.

[happi duck]

Another vote for kneaded eraser.  Also, if not mentioned already paper stumps for blending/smoothing.  (I forget their real name!)

If he might ever transfer sketches to finished pieces tracing paper is nice.

[elegantlion]

I have this set of Derwent pencils. Also suggest the kneaded eraser and a nice portable sharpener - check jet pens for good sharpeners. I would also try a couple of sizes of sketch books. One of my favorite places to sketch is outdoors, so maybe a small outdoorsy bag to hold supplies. It's also nice as a way to store even if you're just moving them around the house. 

[Moonhawk]

Get a hard-sided pencil case. It doesn't have to be huge, there are some pencil sets that will come in a case that is basically the thickness of an eraser and can hold like 10 pencils. I bought one of those years ago and it's my standard case, I just change out what I'm carrying for the project. Currently I think it has 4-5 Generals, 2 erasers, pencil sharpener, a folded piece of parchment paper, 2 architecture pencils, a mini ruler, and 3 micro pens because that's my main thing now. 

Found an example https://www.michaels.com/staedtler-mars-lumograph-drawing-pencils-set-of-12/10555320.html

[Drama Llama]

12 hours ago, Quill said:

A set of sketching pencils, nice sketch pad of paper and a kneaded eraser. Oh, and a *good* pencil sharpener. 
 

If you want to get very Bougie, get a drawing whisk, with which you can sweep eraser crumbles off the artwork without smudging anything. 

When I google "drawing whisk" I get directions on how to draw a whisk.  

Where can I find this thing?  

[Drama Llama]

13 hours ago, EKS said:

I know you said no color, but he might enjoy a set of watercolor pencils.  You put the color on with the pencil and then you can smooth it out with water and a brush.  So he could draw in pencil and then add a splash of color.  A set of regular color pencils might be fun too.

His lack of interest in color fascinates me.  But he is pretty set.  

He doesn't appear to be creating art, or at least that doesn't seem to be his purpose.  It's about getting thoughts out of his head and on the paper, and about planning or communicating ideas?  The finished product isn't important to him. 

[elegantlion]

7 minutes ago, Baseballandhockey said:

His lack of interest in color fascinates me.  But he is pretty set.  

He doesn't appear to be creating art, or at least that doesn't seem to be his purpose.  It's about getting thoughts out of his head and on the paper, and about planning or communicating ideas?  The finished product isn't important to him. 

Sketching in pencil can be very helpful for that. There is something therapuetic about seeing how different grades of pencil can create depth, shadow, light, etc. 

An exercise we used to do in art glass is take an object and then move around a light source, then draw the object with the proper shadow. Again, it's fun to see if you can get it right - at least how your eye sees it. 

[katilac]

45 minutes ago, Baseballandhockey said:

His lack of interest in color fascinates me.  But he is pretty set.  

He doesn't appear to be creating art, or at least that doesn't seem to be his purpose.  It's about getting thoughts out of his head and on the paper, and about planning or communicating ideas?  The finished product isn't important to him. 

Hmm, then I might ask if he has any interest in art supplies at all. 

[Arcadia]

1 hour ago, Baseballandhockey said:

His lack of interest in color fascinates me.  But he is pretty set.  

He doesn't appear to be creating art, or at least that doesn't seem to be his purpose.  It's about getting thoughts out of his head and on the paper, and about planning or communicating ideas?  The finished product isn't important to him. 

DS17 is that way. He is doodling his thoughts or things he like (e.g Totoro on my avatar).  He also find it relaxing. His pencil case is a Kipling pencil case (https://www.kipling-usa.com/100-pens-case/AC3657.html) because he doesn’t want to spend time sharpening pencils so he carries more than ten sharpened pencils. He didn’t like the knead eraser due to sensory issues. 
I have a basic set of 4 charcoal pencils for sketching. I sketch to pass time and I use a gentleman’s hardware pencil case (https://www.amazon.com/Gentlemens-Hardware-Canvas-Pencil-Charcoal/dp/B01HFIPBU8) since I am just carrying 4 pencils, a sharpener and an eraser.

[Guest]

7 hours ago, Baseballandhockey said:

When I google "drawing whisk" I get directions on how to draw a whisk.  

Where can I find this thing?  

Haha, so I see. This is what you want: https://www.dickblick.com/products/westcott-wooden-dusting-brush/?clickTracking=true&wmcp=pla&wmcid=items&wmckw=21578-1001&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnuGNBhCPARIsACbnLzrVpiL1hWIItqy7ADrw11oHrhC_Znk9Ycj4CDWCApVhoIiTwQelvXoaAtZ_EALw_wcB

[Drama Llama]

8 hours ago, katilac said:

Hmm, then I might ask if he has any interest in art supplies at all. 

I do think he will enjoy them.  He spends a lot of time drawing and talking about his drawings and I think that having nice materials will make that more satisfying.  I just doodle on the edge of whatever pad I am taking notes on, and I still appreciate a pen that makes a nice line, or a particularly beautiful color of ink.

I could also see this turning into something else.