I'm ordinarlily an airbrush artist, but my best compressor recently died on me and while waiting for a new one, I rediscovered the expressiveness of drawing in charcoal. It so different from the small, precise movements my airbrush work usually requires. I'm impressed myself with some of my charcoal work and would like to preserve them on something other than cheap newsprint. Thanks for the information, it's priceless when it comes to archiving charcoal artwork.
For all the people who came to the comments to find out what he used to spray the canvas with before applying the gloss gel. It was Krylon non workable Matte fixative not varnish :) He confirmed it in a reply to a comment.
Just discovered your channel, Joel, and I wanted to thank you for being so open about your processes and willing to share. I am totally inspired (having just recently got into exploring the joys of charcoal in a big way!).
Thank you so much for sharing! I am just starting out and really enjoying tinted charcoal right now, but like you said, I have not been satisfied with the final product on paper and sometimes on canvas too. I am so excited to try this. I wish I could go snatch my current pieces out of the shows their in and varnish them properly. Just wanted to say THANK YOU for being willing to share your secrets.
Paint the fence, Daniel-San! Came here looking for the proper way to fix charcoal drawings; got a good solution for that, and also appreciated the fantastic art and the revelation of charcoal on canvas. I mean, I can't think why not, but it never occurred to me before...
I am watching you from Brazil, and I thank you for this video. I use a water-based varnish here and I was just trying to mix charcoal with acrylic painting, your video helped me a lot.
thank you so much for sharing this! I would like to do this on my charcoal drawing on paper and i want to mount them...i am wondering the best way to do this.
What an exciting discovery. Can't wait to try charcoal on canvas! Thanks for sharing process! Have you tried Dorland's Wax Medium for the final varnish? It can be used to seal watercolor, so maybe it will work. Oh, by the way, do you gesso your canvas first? Keep up the great work!
Excited to mix acrylics with charcoal on canvas! I have a portrait started with the acrylic background and am anxious to begin the face after spraying acetone on the background! Thank you for sharing what you know so others can also learn!
Thanks so much for sharing this information, I have been looking for tips on using charcoal on canvas and this is super helpful. I just want to ask, if I am creating a mixed media painting on canvas using charcoal and acrylic, will you seal/varnish it using the same approach? Or would you seal the charcoal first using a fixative, and then apply acrylic, and then proceed with isolation coat and varnish? Many thanks!
When using charcoal (with or without acrylic) I seal each layer as I go with a fixative spray. Then at the end I do the isolation coat and varnish. Hope that helps. Thanks!
Hi Joel great art! but I can not quiet grasp the name of the fixative you are using. Would you please let me know. Thank you. Thank you also for this information very informative.
Joel, You’re work is beautiful! Thanks for sharing your work process and techniques. Do you use a particular type or brand of charcoal? Do you prime the canvas before you begin?
Love your work Joel! Thank you for sharing your talent. When you are going to make prints of a piece do you have the piece photographed/scanned before or after you do this final sealing?
Hey @joelpilcherart I can't seem to find the first comment where you must have said your replacement for the Golden soft gel gloss was now liquitex? if so, still satin or matte? thank you - your work is inspirational and thank you for sharing it and your process!
I still use the Golden soft gel gloss for the isolation coat after the matte finish spray and before the final varnish coat, but I no longer use the Golden satin varnish because I couldn't find it in stock anywhere. I switched to Liquitex satin varnish for the final coat. Hope that makes sense. Thanks!
@@JoelPilcherArt I should also have asked if you still use the krylon uv archival matte varnish as it’s been backordered per Krylon for over a year and a half! Just wondering if you had found an alternative or you just had a lot. Thank you
Hi Joel, Do you add back charcoal to an area, if you take too much charcoal off that area, with a paint brush and charcoal powder...or use vine charcoal? Also, do you use soft or medium vine charcoal when sketching? Thanks for your amazing videos! Lyndie
Yes, I layer the charcoal onto the canvas. Usually 3-4 layers for a project, spraying the artwork with a fixative between. If I erase more than I want, I just add more back. I use charcoal powder and vine charcoal. The softer the better for richer value and easier erasing. Thanks!
Dear Joel. Thank you very much for this very instructive video. Have you found a good alternative to the Golden Satin Polish Varnish? You can't purchase it in Europe either. THANKS!
@@JoelPilcherArt I am in the same situation, Golden is not sold in Iceland, but do you think using clear gesso would work as the middle protective layer under the varnish?
I wish I watched this before 😞 I sprayed my drawing with a fixative and i applied to much so now my drawing is bubbly and blurry. I knew I should’ve tested it
Sir ur works r wonderful... 😍😍😍👌👌👌. But the way u r showing this, won't this charcoal will come out from ur canvas n spoil ur work, while u r applying this medium sir?
Hi. Questions like everyone else😂 can you still make great prints of your artwork to sell after this process? Probably, but i am wondering...thank you. Thank god ive found this as i just can't seem to find a good way to seal these things. Or pastel pencil drawings (although with color, it is even harder to seal without color changing). Im hoping this will work for my masterpieces and make them not Smudgable. Thank you!
Hi, I'm working on a mountain scene with acrylic and charcoal. Is it better to use a gloss or semi-gloss medium to seal my painting. It's on canvas...I'm scared to make a mistake after all the work.
Hi im pretty new to charcoal/pencil art and can I just ask if the gloss or the first layer you used to coat wont leave streaks of charcoal on the brush or accidentally smudging the art???
Hi, I have just found your channel as I have recently started charcoal although watercolor is my main material. What do you prime the canvas with to use charcoal? I use watercolour ground for priming canvas for painting but as it is so expensive I don't want to waste it is it is not suitable for charcoal. Many thanks.
Krylon matte finish for the final coat before brushing on the varnish. Golden soft gel gloss for the isolation coat and I used to use Golden satin varnish, but had to switch to Liquitex satin and it's great as well. Thanks!
It’s a non workable fixative by krylon not varnish that he uses first before applying the gloss gel. He replied to someone else with that info. I was here in the comments for the same answer as it wasn’t clear in the video :)
Dude, thanks for the video, but the bleeping and scratching sound effects are awful.... I'm trying to quietly watch a go slow video while other people in the house are sleeping, not to mention my own shattered nerves
I'm ordinarlily an airbrush artist, but my best compressor recently died on me and while waiting for a new one, I rediscovered the expressiveness of drawing in charcoal. It so different from the small, precise movements my airbrush work usually requires. I'm impressed myself with some of my charcoal work and would like to preserve them on something other than cheap newsprint. Thanks for the information, it's priceless when it comes to archiving charcoal artwork.
Thank you for this video (I just watched the updated one too). You do fantastic works of art! Beautiful!
For all the people who came to the comments to find out what he used to spray the canvas with before applying the gloss gel. It was Krylon non workable Matte fixative not varnish :) He confirmed it in a reply to a comment.
Thanks Kim!
Thank you 😊
Joel said he used Krylon "workable" fixative first.
Just discovered your channel, Joel, and I wanted to thank you for being so open about your processes and willing to share. I am totally inspired (having just recently got into exploring the joys of charcoal in a big way!).
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for sharing! I am just starting out and really enjoying tinted charcoal right now, but like you said, I have not been satisfied with the final product on paper and sometimes on canvas too. I am so excited to try this. I wish I could go snatch my current pieces out of the shows their in and varnish them properly. Just wanted to say THANK YOU for being willing to share your secrets.
Paint the fence, Daniel-San!
Came here looking for the proper way to fix charcoal drawings; got a good solution for that, and also appreciated the fantastic art and the revelation of charcoal on canvas. I mean, I can't think why not, but it never occurred to me before...
Beautiful, thank you very much for all of this precious information & details, it’s very generous of you.
Thank you so much for sharing your process! Beautiful work!
I am watching you from Brazil, and I thank you for this video. I use a water-based varnish here and I was just trying to mix charcoal with acrylic painting, your video helped me a lot.
Your vids are very helpful. Great encouragement to move from paper to canvas now.
Lovely art, thanks for demo, best wishes 🦌
Thnx for sharing your secret tips!
Dude love your method 👏 thank you homie
Eureka! Thank you for this very helpful video. I hoped you would reveal your secret 👊🙏
Thank you Joel.
Thanks a lot for sharing! 🙂
Very accurate big game portraits.
Thanks for sharing. GOD BLESS YOU
thank you so much for sharing this! I would like to do this on my charcoal drawing on paper and i want to mount them...i am wondering the best way to do this.
Thank you! I'm not sure this varnishing process would work on paper. That's one of the reasons I worked to develop an option to draw on canvas.
Thank you for sharing!
What an exciting discovery. Can't wait to try charcoal on canvas! Thanks for sharing process! Have you tried Dorland's Wax Medium for the final varnish? It can be used to seal watercolor, so maybe it will work. Oh, by the way, do you gesso your canvas first? Keep up the great work!
Nice and simple.
Thank you for this info!
Excited to mix acrylics with charcoal on canvas! I have a portrait started with the acrylic background and am anxious to begin the face after spraying acetone on the background! Thank you for sharing what you know so others can also learn!
Thanks so much for sharing this information, I have been looking for tips on using charcoal on canvas and this is super helpful. I just want to ask, if I am creating a mixed media painting on canvas using charcoal and acrylic, will you seal/varnish it using the same approach? Or would you seal the charcoal first using a fixative, and then apply acrylic, and then proceed with isolation coat and varnish? Many thanks!
When using charcoal (with or without acrylic) I seal each layer as I go with a fixative spray. Then at the end I do the isolation coat and varnish. Hope that helps. Thanks!
What products do you use please for all the processes? I want to make sure I use the right things! Beautiful work btw!
Hi Joel great art! but I can not quiet grasp the name of the fixative you are using. Would you please let me know. Thank you. Thank you also for this information very informative.
I use Krylon workable fixative between layers of charcoal and Krylon matte finish for the final coat before varnishing. Thanks!
Joel, You’re work is beautiful! Thanks for sharing your work process and techniques. Do you use a particular type or brand of charcoal? Do you prime the canvas before you begin?
I mostly use General's brand charcoal. I buy pre primed and stretched canvas from Milo art supplies. I don't do any additional prep to it. Thanks!
Thanks so much for sharing-your work is so beautiful! Can I ask what type of canvas you like to use?
I buy my canvases from Milo Art Supply. Thanks!
Muchas gracias por tus explicaciones
Love your work Joel! Thank you for sharing your talent. When you are going to make prints of a piece do you have the piece photographed/scanned before or after you do this final sealing?
I've done both. As long as the final varnish is not too glossy, I prefer photographing after. Thanks!
Did you try laminating the charcoal on paper? I have found that laminating charcoal or graphite on manilla works really well.
I haven't tried that. Sounds like it could be a good solution as well.
It's really awesome 😍What is this liquid ? Please share details about the products. Thank you 🙏
For these I used Golden satin varnish, but I can't find it in stock anymore so now I've been using Liquitex satin varnish with good results. Thanks!
Hey @joelpilcherart I can't seem to find the first comment where you must have said your replacement for the Golden soft gel gloss was now liquitex? if so, still satin or matte? thank you - your work is inspirational and thank you for sharing it and your process!
I still use the Golden soft gel gloss for the isolation coat after the matte finish spray and before the final varnish coat, but I no longer use the Golden satin varnish because I couldn't find it in stock anywhere. I switched to Liquitex satin varnish for the final coat. Hope that makes sense. Thanks!
@@JoelPilcherArt yes thank you!
@@JoelPilcherArt I should also have asked if you still use the krylon uv archival matte varnish as it’s been backordered per Krylon for over a year and a half! Just wondering if you had found an alternative or you just had a lot. Thank you
I use Krylon Matte Finish spray for after I complete a drawing and before I brush on the isolation coat and varnish. It's been readily available.
Super helpful!
Hi Joel, Do you add back charcoal to an area, if you take too much charcoal off that area, with a paint brush and charcoal powder...or use vine charcoal? Also, do you use soft or medium vine charcoal when sketching? Thanks for your amazing videos! Lyndie
Yes, I layer the charcoal onto the canvas. Usually 3-4 layers for a project, spraying the artwork with a fixative between. If I erase more than I want, I just add more back. I use charcoal powder and vine charcoal. The softer the better for richer value and easier erasing. Thanks!
Dear Joel. Thank you very much for this very instructive video. Have you found a good alternative to the Golden Satin Polish Varnish? You can't purchase it in Europe either. THANKS!
I just tested out Liquitex satin varnish for acrylics and I'm happy with the result. I'll be using it on my latest originals. Thanks!
@@JoelPilcherArt Thank you, Joel! :-)
@@JoelPilcherArt I am in the same situation, Golden is not sold in Iceland, but do you think using clear gesso would work as the middle protective layer under the varnish?
Joel have you done a coloured transparent wash over fixative.
Yes, as part of one of my processes I have drawn a layer of charcoal, sprayed it with fixative, then brushed over it a colored acrylic wash.
@@JoelPilcherArt hi, have you got a video of it on here,
I wish I watched this before 😞 I sprayed my drawing with a fixative and i applied to much so now my drawing is bubbly and blurry. I knew I should’ve tested it
Love your work. Is there another alternative for the spray?
Sir ur works r wonderful... 😍😍😍👌👌👌. But the way u r showing this, won't this charcoal will come out from ur canvas n spoil ur work, while u r applying this medium sir?
I spray it with a clear coat before brushing. That prevents the charcoal from smearing. Thanks!
I do the same, except use Rustoleum instead of Krylon. Krylon tends to spit.
Do you thin the liquitex varnish as well. If so, what ratio do you use?
I don't thin the Liquitex varnish.
Hi. Questions like everyone else😂 can you still make great prints of your artwork to sell after this process? Probably, but i am wondering...thank you. Thank god ive found this as i just can't seem to find a good way to seal these things. Or pastel pencil drawings (although with color, it is even harder to seal without color changing). Im hoping this will work for my masterpieces and make them not Smudgable. Thank you!
Thank you.
Is that final varnish now back in stock, two years now after this vid?
I don't think so. I started using Liquitex acrylic varnish. See my updated video. Thanks!
thanks for this, which is the proportion of water and soft coat?
I believe the label recommends 2 parts gel to one part water
Thank you!@@JoelPilcherArt
Hi, I'm working on a mountain scene with acrylic and charcoal. Is it better to use a gloss or semi-gloss medium to seal my painting. It's on canvas...I'm scared to make a mistake after all the work.
It depends on the sheen you want for the finished look. Always do a test piece first.
Hi im pretty new to charcoal/pencil art and can I just ask if the gloss or the first layer you used to coat wont leave streaks of charcoal on the brush or accidentally smudging the art???
Hi! I have a question here,Do i need to primed the canvas before using charcoal on canvas?
I buy pre primed and stretched canvases from Milo art supply. I don't do any additional prep to them. Just open them up and start drawing.
Hi, I have just found your channel as I have recently started charcoal although watercolor is my main material. What do you prime the canvas with to use charcoal? I use watercolour ground for priming canvas for painting but as it is so expensive I don't want to waste it is it is not suitable for charcoal. Many thanks.
I buy my canvases stretched and pre primed, but I don't do any additional prep work before I start drawing with charcoal. Thanks!
@@JoelPilcherArt many thanks.
Can acrylics be used after the final varnish coat has been applied over the charcoal?
So spray the matte finish first, then the isolation coat, then the varnish correct?
That's correct.
Never mind the question. I just saw someone else asked the same thing!
Can you apply that on a paper charcoal drawing? Thanks
Hi ! What canvas do you use for your works ?
I buy canvases from Milo Art Supply.
I’m confused - did you use krypton spray first?
Yes, Krylon spray first. Check out my latest video. I demonstrated the process again with more detail and a few updates. Thanks!
Where I can by this product are used for sealed your painting. What's the name off this sealing product.?
I buy them on Amazon. Golden Soft Gel Gloss for the isolation coat and I now use Liquitex satin varnish for the finish coat.
So do we use Turpentine after spraying w a fixative ?
No turpentine. I spray it with a matte finish, brush on the isolation coat, then brush on the final varnish coat.
@@JoelPilcherArt thank you. 😊
What song is that at the end of the video!?
Great paintings. Do you seal the acrylic and charcoal paintings with the same method.
Yep, same method. Thanks!
Can you please list the products, as I can’t see if the krylon is a fixative or a Matt varnish spray? And is it gel a gloss? Thank you for sharing
Krylon matte finish for the final coat before brushing on the varnish. Golden soft gel gloss for the isolation coat and I used to use Golden satin varnish, but had to switch to Liquitex satin and it's great as well. Thanks!
It’s a non workable fixative by krylon not varnish that he uses first before applying the gloss gel. He replied to someone else with that info. I was here in the comments for the same answer as it wasn’t clear in the video :)
What I see from the video it leaves a blueish color wax on top of the painting, doesn't that change the carbon, or charcoal effect?
That's probably just the lighting in the video. It dries to a very clear satin sheen and doesn't discolor the charcoal.
Can you clearcoat on paper? or just on canvas?
I've never tried varnish on paper. I'm guessing it may not hold up. That's why I developed the process on canvas.
Can I use only the spay?
Sure, but the varnish is an additional layer of protection and it evens out and improves the finished look.
I thought the video glitch was an effect.
Size of that canvas?
I believe these were 18"x24"
Can you mix charcoal with oil paint?
Not sure. That's something I haven't tried.
@@JoelPilcherArt thank you 😊
Dude, thanks for the video, but the bleeping and scratching sound effects are awful.... I'm trying to quietly watch a go slow video while other people in the house are sleeping, not to mention my own shattered nerves