Charcoal, as a drawing tool, was traditionally made from thin peeled willow twigs, which were heated in the absence of oxygen. This created black, crumbly sticks. Today, a processed version called compressed charcoal comes in a pencil-like form. Charcoal is known for its ability to create a dark, dense line when drawn with pressure, but also to diffuse and smudge to create shadows and textures. One of the first artists to utilize charcoal as a primary medium was Albrecht Durer who created charcoal portraits. 

Explore charcoal drawings in the collection