How to make Drawing Charcoal

To make a picture using charcoal you’ve made is a magical process. The effort is minimal and you can get the fire to do its work in the background as it keeps you warm and cooks your food. The following is a tested process suitable for people of all ages and expertise. 

1- Cut green sticks. These should be as thick as your little finger and long enough so you can cut them to match your tin. Willow is traditionally used but many woods are suitable. It’s easier if they are straightish and relatively knot free. A lopper or pair of secateurs works best for collecting. 

2- Strip the bark off the sticks.  This is a great opportunity to introduce simple whittling and knife safety. Check the body position of the young whittler in this photo. 

3- Make a hole in an old tin. It’s easier if you have a long tin and then you can use longer sticks. Many of them are likely to break during the process. 

4- Put the sticks onto the tin, you can cut them to fit. Fill the tin as well as you can. If you have some sand fill any space with the sand and replace the lid. Put the tin into the fire and leave it there. It can stay there until you’ve finished with the fire. 

5- when you take the tin out it will be very hot! Do not take the lid off when it’s very hot as there’s a danger that a rush of oxygen can cause the charcoal to ignite. Let the tin cool down before opening it and finding your beautiful drawing charcoal. 

6- Any pale surface is good for drawing on but if your outside it’s easier if you have some kind of rigid board or at least a stiff surface. 

Have fun and share your artwork.