1st Journal: Dry drawing materials 1 - Graphite and Charcoal

Exploring 2-D Materials and Tools for Teaching The K-12 Setting

Material Exploration

Materials:

• Vine Charcoal : 1~3

• Compressed Charcoals : 4~6

• Charcoal Pencils : 7(Soft), 8(Med), 9(Hard)

• White Charcoal Pencil : 10

• Compressed White Charcoals : 11~12

• Blending Stump : 13

• Kneaded Rubber Eraser : 14

• Pencil Sharpener : 15

• Pencils

• Eraser

Graphite Pencils

• Graphite and charcoal media allow for expression in white, gray, and black tones. They can be used to define outlines through line work and to fill in surfaces by modulating tonal values ​​from light to dark. I experimented with various techniques using vine charcoal, square charcoal, white charcoal, a kneaded eraser, and a blending stump. By varying the pressure of my hand, I rendered a range of tones from light to dark and created three-dimensional effects on cube and sphere by adjusting their values.

• According to the book, “Exploring Studio Materials Teaching Creative Art Making to Children,” Mary Hafeli (2015) states that a rubber kneaded eraser is used to correct charcoal and soft pastels and soft bread serves as an excellent tool for erasing on charcoal and soft pastels. (Hafeli, 2015, p.27) A rubber kneaded eraser is flexible to form small and allows for precise adjustments in small areas. I drew lines over shaded areas using the kneaded eraser and blending stump, beyond simply correcting errors, I explored how the eraser could be used to lighten the tone of dark areas.

• Mary Hafeli (2015) explained that  the hardness of a pencil lead varies depending on the mixing ratio of graphite and clay; a higher clay content results in a harder lead, while a lower clay content yields a soft. Drawing pencils are categorized into 20 grades: "H" indicates hardness, allowing for light, detailed work; "B" (standing for "Black") denotes softness, enabling dark; and "HB" represents a medium level of hardness. (Hafeli, 2015, p.30)

-Based on the information in the book, how should graphite be used in art class according to age group?

• For kindergarten to 2^nd grade class, H pencils can be dangerous due to their hard and sharp points. HB pencils could be used for basic sketching; if using pencils for shading or coloring, they can be guided to use softer "B" grade pencils to practice outlining and drawing simple cartoons

• For 3rd grade to 6^th grade class, students can develop a better cognitive understanding of perspective, light, and shadow, they should be encouraged to use various grades of "B" drawing pencils to express tonal differences observed in the subjects.

• For 7th grade and up, the full range of drawing pencils would be encouraged to practice realistic rendering, leveraging tonal variations, and to experiment with depicting diverse textures.

Exploring Personal Theme Work : Relationship

• My theme is "relationship." I created a drawing that depicts the relationship between human and nature using vine charcoal, square charcoal, charcoal pencil, and white charcoal pencil. I used the deep tones of square charcoal and charcoal pencils to render the rough texture of the tree and the clothing on the arm. Meanwhile, I utilized vine charcoal which allows for lighter, softer effects to depict the background behind the tree and the person's hand. Charcoal is fully capable of expressing the contrasting tactile qualities of a human hand, soft to the touch, and wood, with its rough texture.

Safety Information

• The main ingredient of charcoal is willow and vine tree stick, and they produced heating at a high temperature. According to Jakeman (2026), we can determine that the drawing charcoal and graphite do not cause toxicity unless we do not inhale large amounts of ash from the mediums. (Jakeman, 2026) However, if the artwork generates a large amount of dust that could enter students’ respiratory tract, it is advisable to wear a dust mask. For students' art supplies, it is advisable to choose materials that bear the AP seal, which certifies their safety.

Art Class Setting for K-12

• Staring the class, students need to be instructed minimizing the dust from the materials. Teacher should inform to student does not blow away charcoal dust with their mouths; inhaling the dust can cause coughing.

• Also, when dust accumulates, it can be disposed of in the trash. Alternatively, teachers can provide paper plates at each desk for collecting the dust. Gathering and disposing of these paper plates all at once during the post-class cleanup will make the cleaning process much easier.

Curricular Inspiration

• Mary Hafeli (2015) claims that offering students limited choices can foster their creativity and facilitate deep exploration. Creating various works using a limited color palette provides an opportunity to enhance flexible and divergent thinking and an in-depth studying for students. (Hafeli, 2015, p.28) For this reason, charcoal and pencils are useful materials for helping children practice rendering textures and tonal values. Students can learn that they can achieve limitless expression using only the monochromatic palette of black, gray, and white.

• Elementary (K to 6)

For younger students, I plan to design lessons that encourage a comfortable approach to the materials while helping to improve their fine motor skills. I might demonstrate how to explore charcoal by smudging it with a napkin to create a soft-toned background or guide them to sketch the outline of a simple characters and fill the interior with solid black charcoal.

For students in grades 3 through 6, the curriculum focuses on understanding how to use varying color tones to depict light and shadow, thereby creating a sense of three-dimensionality in their drawings. Students are shown how to render simple value gradients, smudging/blending to create depth. Also, teacher introduces the artist's drawing as teaching materials that artist, Edgar Degas created a stunning female silhouette using outline lines and three-color tones by charcoal.

Figure 1. Featuring a Dancer [Charcoal on Paper]. By Degas, E, 1834-1917, Online Collectibles Auctions. Copyright 2026 by Online Collectibles Auctions.

 -As a differentiation instruction, I will allow students to use black crayons or black colored pencils instead charcoals if students have a difficulty with charcoals. I can also provide thicker charcoal sticks that are easier for students to grip. For students who struggle with sketching, I will offer supplementary aids such as masking tape to help them easily create highlight lines.

• Middle School (7 to 9)

For skill-building, students can access graphite pencils and charcoals. They will draw geometric solids, such as sphere, cube, cone and cylinder, illuminated by light and express by 5 different value scale as like white, light grey, mid grey, dark grey and deep black. To finish the fine details and crisp edges, students are suggested using kneaded eraser, graphite pencils or a sharpened charcoal pencil.

-As a differentiation instruction, reference materials are provided that show geometric objects with pre-rendered shading, as well as examples featuring added details like text or textures. These serve as aids for students who may struggle to render the objects realistically. Additionally, students are taught that highlights can be created using white charcoal, demonstrating an alternative to the traditional method of using an eraser.

• High School(10 to 12)

High school students can learn technical difficulty, complex textures, and conceptual expression. In class, I would suggest drawing still life objects with light setting or self-portraits. Students will focus on learning sighting measuring and varies surface textures. By single directional lighting, students can express dramatic tones difference and shadows.

-As a differentiation instruction, teacher would prepare students’ self-portrait photos by with black and white. Self-portraits by artists will be provided as an example of where the light hits and where the shadows fall. Also, Toned gray paper would be provided to support the intimidation of the white paper.

Reference

-Degas, E. (1834-1917), Featuring a Dancer [Charcoal on Paper], Online Collectibles Auctions. Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. https://www.icollector.com/EDGAR-DEGAS-French-1834-1917-Charcoal-on-Paper_i30744696

-Jakeman, E. (2026, February 27). A Beginner’s Guide to Artists’ Charcoal. ARTdiscount.

https://artdiscount.co.uk/blogs/artdiscount-blog/an-artists-guide-to-charcoal

-Hafeli, Mary. Clarie. (2015). Exploring Studio Materials. Oxford University Press, USA.