Charcoal Drawing Techniques and Supplies in Iceland

Why charcoal?

Charcoal is one of the oldest and most expressive drawing media. It produces deep blacks, beautiful tonal gradations, and bold marks — all with a single stick.

Types of charcoal

Vine charcoal — lightweight, easy to erase, excellent for initial sketches and underdrawings. Compressed charcoal — denser, deeper blacks, harder to remove. Charcoal pencils — more control and precision for detailed work.

Basic techniques

• Hatching — parallel lines to create tone and shadow
• Blending — use fingers, blending stumps, or a cloth for smooth transitions
• Erasing — a kneaded eraser lets you "draw" light areas back in
• Layering — start light and gradually build up darker tones

Where to find charcoal in Iceland

Browse charcoal drawing supplies at Föndurlist — one of Iceland's largest art supply stores. Free shipping on orders over 15,000 ISK.