CHARCOAL (Drama + Expression)

Materials

Vine charcoal, compressed charcoal (if available), charcoal pencil, blending tools, kneaded eraser, and paper towel.

Stage 1 — Practice (Skills Lab)

A. 1-minute gestures (10 mins)

• 10 gesture drawings of faces or figures (loose, fast)

B. Value scale (10 mins)

• 7-step scale using charcoal (practice pushing DARK)

C. Subtractive drawing (20 mins)

1. Tone the page with charcoal.

2. Lift lights with a kneaded eraser.

3. Add darks back in with compressed charcoal.

D. Portrait feature studies (30–45 mins)

• Draw an eye, nose, and mouth, focusing on shadow shapes.

Stage 2 — Thumbnails

• 3 thumbnails emphasizing contrast (where are your darkest areas?)

Final Options

A) High-contrast portrait (dramatic lighting)

B) Emotion portrait (marks reflect emotion)

C) Figure/gesture composition (movement)

D) Hands study (expressive hands + lighting)

Master Artists

• William Kentridge

• Odilon Redon

Category	4 – Exceeds Expectations	3 – Meets Expectations	2 – Below Expectations	1 – Far Below Expectations
Practice Assignment	Complete, thorough, strong technique control	Complete, shows skill growth	Partially complete or rushed	Minimal, missing major parts
Thumbnails + Proposal	3 strong thumbnails + detailed plan	3 thumbnails + clear plan	1–2 thumbnails, vague plan	No thumbnails or plan
Technique + Craftsmanship	Highly controlled, intentional, refined	Good control, clean work	Inconsistent control, messy areas	Poor control, little care
Composition + Concept	Strong focal point + meaningful choices	Clear subject + organized layout	Weak composition or unclear idea	Random/unfinished, no clarity