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Charcoal Drawings

The tradition of charcoal drawing traces back to at least 26,000 B.C., evidenced by a rock fragment bearing a charcoal design discovered in a Northern Australia rock shelter. By the 15th century, artists frequently employed charcoal to create preparatory sketches of large-scale murals and frescos. Charcoal can be painted over without changing the color or tone of the overlaid paint, which explains why artists have employed it for centuries to create preparatory sketches before embarking on larger scale oil paintings.

French Impressionist artist Edgar Degas would often layer pastels over an initial charcoal sketch, a method that he utilized in the production of his famous "Blue Dancers" in 1899. During the High Renaissance (16th century), charcoal became the medium of choice among caricature artists. They transferred charcoal dust onto the support through paper elaborately incised with tiny holes.

Charcoal remains a popular medium among contemporary artists. Artists including William Kentridge and Robert Longo continue to explore the expressive possibilities of this age old medium in the current era.


Quick Facts

  • Japanese Sumi-e artists predominantly use bamboo charcoal in their artworks
  • Charcoal tends to be a fugitive pigment unless it is sprayed with a fixative, which is generally a resin dissolved in alcohol
  • Charcoal is typically created by slowly burning twigs of the linden or willow trees until they are reduced to carbon

Recommended Items at Auction

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Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, 1859-1923, Chat dormant
Jun 24, 6:00 PM CEST
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, 1859-1923, Chat dormant
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF500- CHF800
CHF4400 Bids
Marc Bauer, 1975, Two Drawings: A Artaud, 2010; Magda
Jun 24, 6:00 PM CEST
Marc Bauer, 1975, Two Drawings: A Artaud, 2010; Magda
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF1,500- CHF2,000
CHF1,3000 Bids
Rolf Iseli, 1934, Untitled
Jun 24, 6:00 PM CEST
Rolf Iseli, 1934, Untitled
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF700- CHF1,000
CHF6000 Bids
René Groebli, 1927, 3 lights in tunnel, from "Magie der Schiene"
Jun 25, 6:00 PM CEST
René Groebli, 1927, 3 lights in tunnel, from "Magie der Schiene"
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF500- CHF800
CHF4400 Bids
René Groebli, 1927, Untitled, from "Magie der Schiene"
Jun 25, 6:00 PM CEST
René Groebli, 1927, Untitled, from "Magie der Schiene"
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF500- CHF800
CHF4400 Bids
Christian Vogt, 1946, About the Price of Freedom, of not Belonging Anywhere
Jun 25, 6:00 PM CEST
Christian Vogt, 1946, About the Price of Freedom, of not Belonging Anywhere
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF400- CHF600
CHF3600 Bids
Robert Longo, 1953, Study for D. Butkus
Jun 23, 6:00 PM CEST
Robert Longo, 1953, Study for D. Butkus
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF14,000- CHF18,000
CHF11,0000 Bids
Otto Morach, 1887-1973, Untitled
Jun 24, 6:00 PM CEST
Otto Morach, 1887-1973, Untitled
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF1,200- CHF1,800
CHF1,0000 Bids
Ignaz Epper, 1892-1969, The ride
Jun 24, 6:00 PM CEST
Ignaz Epper, 1892-1969, The ride
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF2,500- CHF3,500
CHF2,2000 Bids
[JAPAN] KOHAKU, MIYAKE (1893-1957). SKETCHBOOK WITH ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BUNRAKU SCENES
Jun 18, 7:00 PM CEST
[JAPAN] KOHAKU, MIYAKE (1893-1957). SKETCHBOOK WITH ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BUNRAKU SCENES
by Zwiggelaar Auctions
Est: €150- €300
€1500 Bids
Otto Morach, 1887-1973, Bergsee
Jun 23, 6:00 PM CEST
Otto Morach, 1887-1973, Bergsee
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF3,000- CHF5,000
CHF2,8000 Bids
Miriam Cahn, 1949, Series of 24 drawings in portfolio
Jun 23, 6:00 PM CEST
Miriam Cahn, 1949, Series of 24 drawings in portfolio
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF6,000- CHF9,000
CHF5,5000 Bids
Ernst Barlach, 1870-1938, Frau gegen den Wind laufend
Jun 23, 6:00 PM CEST
Ernst Barlach, 1870-1938, Frau gegen den Wind laufend
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF2,000- CHF4,000
CHF1,9000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Charcoal Drawings


Germann Auction House Ltd

Germann Auction House Ltd

Zwiggelaar Auctions

Zwiggelaar Auctions