I have enjoyed watching your videos and seeing you work well with so many different mediums! I have not stopped smiling after your comment about it is messy so let’s have fun! I believe sometimes we forget about enjoying our art endeavors and become consumed with creating “beautiful art” or the “perfect piece” you are truly inspirational and a true joy to watch. Thank you Lindsay.
I love the fact that the product is ancient. I can imagine our ancestors in the caves, mixing yellow ochre with charcoal to create the cave drawings. Especially since you are creating a horse. Maybe you could try to recreate some of those drawings with these?
I have been thinking about the cave dwellings for a time and after watching this demo and reading this comment I found this set on Amazon for $21! Wow! What an opportunity! Thanks Lindsey and Gin for such a nudge:)
I have no intention buying these, but I just enjoy watching you do your work and talk about them so much that I watch all your videos. Have a great day.
I like charcoal a lot, but those huge chunks seem a little too big and messy for my needs. But that grahite is something for me! I had seen it around and never thought much of it because I did not know that it's soluble. Now I could totally use that.
Perfect timing!! I’ve had these in my Blick cart this past few days. Thank you for the overview! I think I’ll try them out. I plan to use them for mark making in base layers of paintings. I like the different colors. I’ll check out the graphite too! I like the big size.
Loved your sketch of the horse. I have a set of these and honestly they are to messy for me, so you are correct in that they aren’t for everyone. I also have the graphite ones, and I use those all the time. They are just right for drawing and then wetting with water. As always, thanks for the great video.
I'd be interested in seeing a video of you just timelapse sketching a bunch of different subjects with this produce set to background music. No need to do a voice over. It was awesome just watching you create that lovely horse sketch!
Thanks for this Lindsay. I've gotta admit: Whenever I've tried to use Strathmore/Canson toned sketchbooks with Conte or charcoal or other dry sketchy media like these (even graphite in some cases), the paper is so smooth that I've found I couldn't layer or even blend to a finish that I like with a mindfully light touch, and even light water would make me concerned about the fibers. I love that you've been reminding about clear gesso lately, and if I get a toned paper on the thinner and smoother side again, I'm willing to take the time to put a thin coat of that on the page and leave it for 10 mins or hair dry it to enjoy my experience; I've learned I like a toothier surface for dry media. That's a moral of my art story I've learned recently: patience (not a natural tendency of mine) is worth enjoying your experience before, whether taking extra steps or waiting to invest in more suitable while pricier products.
Hi Lindsay, such a fun thing to watch! In just seconds, it seems, you created a horse. I'm messy with watercolors and wind up with them all over me; to use these I'd needed to be outside, in clothes that are dedicated for Charcoal and rinse off with a hose before I went anywhere. I'm not that dedicated. I prefer bright colors more, but it is wonderful to see what you can make these do in with a limited palette in a fairly short time!
I loved the seal and horse and seeing these sticks in action! I'm still pretty new to art and have both New Product Syndrome and Full Set Syndrome, haha. Thank you for sharing your insight, experience, and tips!
There is a little mini vacuum that you can use to pick up the dust. It is used to pick up fine glitter but works great with my charcoal and pastels. Just a suggestion to help control the dust
Hi Lindsay, I liked the expressive nature to this medium. I wonder if instead of water, could you use rubbing alcohol like you might with pastels? Another great review. Thank you. I, myself use a handheld vacuum to help with the dust that charcoal and pastel make.
Finally a product that I don't think I need right now... 😅 love your videos. I watch them all but I think I would prefer the smaller sticks but who knows I might change my mind. 😆 🤣 😂
Enjoyed the demo but not something im ready to try. Watching the horse sketch fascinated me, still practicing my basic sketching skills from your classes, which are great.
Lindsey, have you tried the Cretacolor Art Chunky sticks? They’re a set of 12 large round sticks of charcoal in different earthy colors, and there’s a dark sepia that might satisfy your wish for a deeper brown. I’d love to see you do a review on those if you happen to get a set.
Gracias por el tutorial, no se me ocurría cómo usar los bloques, compré hace poco una lata de 6, cambiaron los tonos, ahora trae un verde y un marrón y no los grises. Saludos desde Chile 😊
I am a shocker for sneezing with dust. Part of the reason I never got into normal dry pastels. I stopped even using the hairspray, was making things run too much. I generally only use one side of the paper which is more expensive but stops things getting too messy.
I would have more on me than the page🙂. Curious - could one of the ultra fine water mister bottles be held above the page to lightly mist the drawing and set the charcoals somewhat ?
I waited patiently for these to go on sale at Blick. Today (November 2, 2023), Blick is discontinuing this product and selling the remaining stock at $19.07. Emphasis, this is NOT the newer Derwent XL Tinted Charcoal.
Ha! Furry legs. Finally... Something I know! Those "furry" leg things are called; " Feathers". Not that you care one way or another lol, but I had horses for 35 years and yes a couple with "Feathers" . Oddly enough I can't draw horses worth a damn. Figures. I have tried following instruction time and time again. Always screw up the stifle to hock to hoof angles. Every blasted time. And I know my horse anatomy front to back and inside out. Bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, hoof structure and how they move. It's like a cruel joke. Like the retired florist that cannot draw a flower for love nor money. And yup. I met one. 🤷♀️🤦♀️
Hullo Annette, I have seen your problem before, I hesitate to say it but you have a mental block. You have convinced yourself that you cannot do the anatomy so you perpetuate this idea and keep proving it to yourself! Remove the entire horse from the equation. Draw the parts of the animal, a “slice” at a time and you can conquer your block! Practice and repetition will win in the end! Eye hand coordination is a learned process, if you don’t use it you lose it! If you work 30 minutes every day you can draw anything! Truly anyone can! Best of luck with all of your endeavors!
A brilliant tip I was given once is to turn your reference image upside down and draw it that way. It’s amazing how much of a difference it makes because your brain stops trying to draw what it thinks a horse should look like and instead focuses on the shapes that you need to draw. I’ve done multiple quick sketches both right way up and then again upside down and the upside down one nearly always looks closer to the original image than the one I drew the right way up
My half Belgian Draft mare has feathers in the winter, but they shed completely in the spring/summer. I love feathered horses! Like you, I can't draw a horse to save my life. I bought how-to sketch books on how to draw a horse too. Oh well.
Oh boy these charcoals look so messy! 😂 I love how the horse turned out, and I am so glad you made this video because I want to use my set and I didn’t know where to start. Maybe I will try my large toned paper sheets with these. But ahhh the dust, it’s going to be a real challenge using them, haha.
Thanks for the review Lindsay, love the horse 🙂
That was fun to watch. Love the horse!
Wow, watching that horse appear was so much fun
I have enjoyed watching your videos and seeing you work well with so many different mediums! I have not stopped smiling after your comment about it is messy so let’s have fun! I believe sometimes we forget about enjoying our art endeavors and become consumed with creating “beautiful art” or the “perfect piece” you are truly inspirational and a true joy to watch. Thank you Lindsay.
Thanks so much:)
Thank you for tutorial how to use Derwent XL Charcoal.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you!
AWESOME, LOVE WHAT YOU DID WITH THESE.
Great sketch Lindsay. It was like magic watching you create a horse. Thanks for demo of different products
I love the fact that the product is ancient. I can imagine our ancestors in the caves, mixing yellow ochre with charcoal to create the cave drawings. Especially since you are creating a horse. Maybe you could try to recreate some of those drawings with these?
Isn't it amazing? Whenever I use charcoal I think about how people have been doing this for millenia.
I have been thinking about the cave dwellings for a time and after watching this demo and reading this comment I found this set on Amazon for $21! Wow! What an opportunity! Thanks Lindsey and Gin for such a nudge:)
What a cute seal face
Hi Lindsey, loved your review.. I am in love with your horse drawing but up to the point you add water 🥰🥰… Thank you for the review 😁
I have no intention buying these, but I just enjoy watching you do your work and talk about them so much that I watch all your videos. Have a great day.
I appreciate it!
I like charcoal a lot, but those huge chunks seem a little too big and messy for my needs. But that grahite is something for me! I had seen it around and never thought much of it because I did not know that it's soluble. Now I could totally use that.
This was really fun to watch, I looked away for a few seconds and looked back and there’s a horse!
Perfect timing!! I’ve had these in my Blick cart this past few days. Thank you for the overview! I think I’ll try them out. I plan to use them for mark making in base layers of paintings. I like the different colors. I’ll check out the graphite too! I like the big size.
Loved your sketch of the horse. I have a set of these and honestly they are to messy for me, so you are correct in that they aren’t for everyone. I also have the graphite ones, and I use those all the time. They are just right for drawing and then wetting with water. As always, thanks for the great video.
I have a review for those coming up in a couple weeks too!
I love these, the color palette always inspires me
I'd be interested in seeing a video of you just timelapse sketching a bunch of different subjects with this produce set to background music. No need to do a voice over. It was awesome just watching you create that lovely horse sketch!
Aww, thank you:)
Thanks for this Lindsay.
I've gotta admit: Whenever I've tried to use Strathmore/Canson toned sketchbooks with Conte or charcoal or other dry sketchy media like these (even graphite in some cases), the paper is so smooth that I've found I couldn't layer or even blend to a finish that I like with a mindfully light touch, and even light water would make me concerned about the fibers. I love that you've been reminding about clear gesso lately, and if I get a toned paper on the thinner and smoother side again, I'm willing to take the time to put a thin coat of that on the page and leave it for 10 mins or hair dry it to enjoy my experience; I've learned I like a toothier surface for dry media. That's a moral of my art story I've learned recently: patience (not a natural tendency of mine) is worth enjoying your experience before, whether taking extra steps or waiting to invest in more suitable while pricier products.
So true!
Hi Lindsay, such a fun thing to watch! In just seconds, it seems, you created a horse.
I'm messy with watercolors and wind up with them all over me; to use these I'd needed to be outside, in clothes that are dedicated for Charcoal and rinse off with a hose before I went anywhere. I'm not that dedicated. I prefer bright colors more, but it is wonderful to see what you can make these do in with a limited palette in a fairly short time!
This was really fun to watch,I looked away for a few seconds and when I looked back there was a horse! Thanks Lindsay!
Same, lol!
These look so fun! I’ve always wondered how lighter colored charcoals are made… 🧐 🤔 Especially white!
I LOVE THIS and want to draw a seal!!!
I loved the seal and horse and seeing these sticks in action! I'm still pretty new to art and have both New Product Syndrome and Full Set Syndrome, haha. Thank you for sharing your insight, experience, and tips!
Yay!! My Monday just got better!! Thanks Lindsay!!
Derwent also has a set of tinted charcoal pencils that I have had on my wish list for over a year. I have the graphatint pencils which I love!
The way you drew your horse so quickly was amazing to me, lol.
Aww, thanks Miranda:)
Beautiful horse! You drew him so fast!
Cute 😎
Looks like the XL Graphite blocks are also on sale for $21 at Blick. Just mentioning it in case anyone is interested.
That's a great price!
I'm on my third tin of these.
That's awesome!
Wow, Limdsay…love it
Great reviews of both products.
EU stores have those on sale all the time. Is worth looking around.
There is a little mini vacuum that you can use to pick up the dust. It is used to pick up fine glitter but works great with my charcoal and pastels. Just a suggestion to help control the dust
Good idea!
Thicc pastels....nice
Hi Lindsay, I liked the expressive nature to this medium. I wonder if instead of water, could you use rubbing alcohol like you might with pastels? Another great review. Thank you. I, myself use a handheld vacuum to help with the dust that charcoal and pastel make.
That should work
Finally a product that I don't think I need right now... 😅 love your videos. I watch them all but I think I would prefer the smaller sticks but who knows I might change my mind. 😆 🤣 😂
Enjoyed the demo but not something im ready to try. Watching the horse sketch fascinated me, still practicing my basic sketching skills from your classes, which are great.
Thank you!
Lindsey, have you tried the Cretacolor Art Chunky sticks? They’re a set of 12 large round sticks of charcoal in different earthy colors, and there’s a dark sepia that might satisfy your wish for a deeper brown. I’d love to see you do a review on those if you happen to get a set.
I have not seen them
Gracias por el tutorial, no se me ocurría cómo usar los bloques, compré hace poco una lata de 6, cambiaron los tonos, ahora trae un verde y un marrón y no los grises. Saludos desde Chile 😊
I wouldn't use them but it was fun watching you use them :)
Would you do some rockscapes with this product? Rocks seem to be one of your your super powers and I would love to see your version.
Good idea!
I am a shocker for sneezing with dust. Part of the reason I never got into normal dry pastels. I stopped even using the hairspray, was making things run too much. I generally only use one side of the paper which is more expensive but stops things getting too messy.
Or water soluble charcoal. Interesting.
I would have more on me than the page🙂. Curious - could one of the ultra fine water mister bottles be held above the page to lightly mist the drawing and set the charcoals somewhat ?
It might help but it still smears after you add water.
Another comment, fixative tends to darken and deaden highlights so be careful if you love your highlights.
Yup, I rarely use it but this is really smear on this smooth paper.
@@thefrugalcrafter But it is a beautiful smear, haha
White or yellow charcoal. Right. I never did like the categorization of the “charcoals”
I could tell it's a seal :))
So thick!
Too messy for me, but you did a great job on the horse.
Thanks!
HI THERE!!!!
I waited patiently for these to go on sale at Blick. Today (November 2, 2023), Blick is discontinuing this product and selling the remaining stock at $19.07. Emphasis, this is NOT the newer Derwent XL Tinted Charcoal.
Good to know!
Ha! Furry legs. Finally... Something I know! Those "furry" leg things are called; " Feathers". Not that you care one way or another lol, but I had horses for 35 years and yes a couple with "Feathers" . Oddly enough I can't draw horses worth a damn. Figures. I have tried following instruction time and time again. Always screw up the stifle to hock to hoof angles. Every blasted time. And I know my horse anatomy front to back and inside out. Bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, hoof structure and how they move. It's like a cruel joke. Like the retired florist that cannot draw a flower for love nor money. And yup. I met one. 🤷♀️🤦♀️
Hullo Annette, I have seen your problem before, I hesitate to say it but you have a mental block. You have convinced yourself that you cannot do the anatomy so you perpetuate this idea and keep proving it to yourself! Remove the entire horse from the equation. Draw the parts of the animal, a “slice” at a time and you can conquer your block! Practice and repetition will win in the end! Eye hand coordination is a learned process, if you don’t use it you lose it! If you work 30 minutes every day you can draw anything! Truly anyone can! Best of luck with all of your endeavors!
A brilliant tip I was given once is to turn your reference image upside down and draw it that way. It’s amazing how much of a difference it makes because your brain stops trying to draw what it thinks a horse should look like and instead focuses on the shapes that you need to draw. I’ve done multiple quick sketches both right way up and then again upside down and the upside down one nearly always looks closer to the original image than the one I drew the right way up
@@sarahsreviews5753 I will try that. Thanks! 😍
My half Belgian Draft mare has feathers in the winter, but they shed completely in the spring/summer. I love feathered horses! Like you, I can't draw a horse to save my life. I bought how-to sketch books on how to draw a horse too. Oh well.
@@annettefournier9655 I hope it works for you
Oh boy these charcoals look so messy! 😂 I love how the horse turned out, and I am so glad you made this video because I want to use my set and I didn’t know where to start. Maybe I will try my large toned paper sheets with these. But ahhh the dust, it’s going to be a real challenge using them, haha.
I think I'll use them for life drawing on large newsprint when I find a drawing group again.
It’s not a seal! It’s a horse! 😂