drawing Monochrome charcoal landscapes

Updated July 2026

Introduction

Charcoal has been used as an art medium for over 30,000 years, beginning with Upper Paleolithic cave art. As an art material, it is pretty basic and humble. But don't underestimate charcoal. Anyone can start with charcoal, no experience needed. It allows for deep, rich tones and a wide range of textures, making it an ideal choice for creating dramatic and impactful artwork. This medium offers a unique and expressive quality. The softness of the charcoal is perfect for blending and smudging, allowing you to create subtle transitions and bold contrasts.

Materials:

For a basic starter kit, all you need is willow or vine charcoal, a kneaded eraser, and any drawing paper. Charcoal comes in many forms. To get started, I suggest willow or vine charcoal. Add a kneaded eraser for highlights and subtle lifts, and something to smudge the charcoal. You can use your fingers, but it gets messy. I use tissue paper (Kleenex). With paper, there are two main considerations: the surface texture and the paper color. I like paper that is soft to the touch but not rough. Some people prefer a smoother surface, while others might prefer a rough one. There is no right or wrong, just personal preference. The same is true with paper color. I prefer white paper, but toned paper works too. Charcoal is not fussy about paper. It works on many surfaces, so don’t let paper choice stop you from getting started. Be brave, experiment, and find what works best for you.

Avoid Analysis Paralysis - Just start

The single most useful rule is this: pick something and start. The differences between willow, vine, and other forms of charcoal are irrelevant for the beginner. It is more important to start making marks on the paper.. If you’re hesitating, use willow or vine charcoal and a kneaded eraser and make your first mark.

Here are some examples for inspiration:

Gallery

Some ideas/inspiration

Things to consider:

Values. There is no color to work with. All we have is black, white, and grey - the values. Use these values to define shapes such as clouds, trees, hedgerows, etc. Start by defining the big shapes before you worry about details. In other words, decide where your horizon line will go. Is it diagonal or horizontal? Flat or bumpy? What kind of mood do you want to create? The sky plays a big part in creating mood. A few fluffy clouds floating in a summer sky are very different from dark, ominous storm clouds.

Composition. Will your drawing have a focal point or do you want to create a more open composition? Adding large trees, buildings, animals, or people will give your landscape a definite focal point. However, a focal point is not essential.

My Approach

I tend to use imagination and memory rather than working from photographic references. The problem with references is they can be discouraging. When you work from references, you are constantly comparing your drawing to the original. If you can't get exact proportions, you might feel disillusioned. That is why I encourage you to let go of the idea of perfection and try drawing from imagination. The more you experiment and play with charcoal, the more confident you will become. Allow yourself the freedom to make bold marks, try new techniques, and see what happens. Embracing imperfection will help you build creative confidence and enjoy the journey of drawing.

I start with a horizon line, top left, then put down some charcoal for the sky. I smudge this charcoal and use the kneadable eraser to create some clouds. I then add some charcoal for the middle and foreground. Again, I smudge it and use the kneadable eraser to create detail.

My online course:

Learn to draw landscapes with confidence. Get practical beginner friendly video lessons with my online course on Udemy.