Description

Color: very rich, deep, matte black, without any graphite sheen.

Texture: soft, dry, rather brittle – the stroke is not as smooth as Silky Black, more “grainy.”

Usage: excellent for strong contrasts, expressive lines, and filling shadows when a completely matte black is desired.

Blending: charcoal is easily smudged with a finger, eraser, or paper stump (tortillion), making it convenient for creating smooth transitions.

Erasing: harder to erase than graphite, but easier than Negro (since Negro sometimes contains more binders, it “bites” into the paper more strongly).

Fixative: like all charcoal, it requires a fixative, otherwise it will smudge heavily.