I filmed this a little backwards, as the artwork inspired the video and it is maybe a little different to my usual style? Anyway, please let me know of I should spray fixative on the drawings as I haven't done so yet. And yes we are still travelling, haha! I will be slow answering comments today as we are having a long day of driving and I won't be in wifi range until tonight. 😊
I have an older version of this set and my colors do look a little different. I have a white yellow ochre, a soft brownish color a mars brown a sepia and a black. Your colors lean more to the green grey side on the video. Might be just the lighting. Love your first pic he looks good against his crisp white background lol Hope you are still enjoying your holiday thanks Becky for your video.
I think I got some weird coloured ones as I have seen others where sanguine was more red. Maybe a batch issue...who would know! Will be heading home on Wednesday morning, all going to plan.
Fixative yes artxx I believe is the one I use I ordered themost recent which as good as the one I use and took almost a month to get to USA worth the wait although I’m not sure how much difference is that great I’m too impatient so the other one I got off ebay or amazon, is awesome
Oh Becky I felt the same way the feel of charcoal and pastels they do sell the pastel holders 3/7 $ no needs to ever touch them, also I’ve fallin in love with pan pastels and all the tools available in the sofft range, I am having so much fun and I got 53 from someone on ebay with 5 trays and around 7 or more sets of sofft tools all theee things are a game changer for me!!!!!!!!!!! Also I use the ceramic smoothing tools with the pan pastels, I’ve used to tools on regular soft pastels, give it a thought I think your whole out look on pastels will change for the positive
Wow that was a great find on ebay! I do have some pan pastels, I just haven't used them as much as I intended, probably because I don't really have soft pastels to go with them or pastel pencils. I might remedy that eventually!💜
You are so inspiring Becky! I have these but have avoided using them for fear of the mess, but now I think I have to bite the bullet and try. Your drawings are fabulous. Thank you!
Love your beautiful drawings Becky. I've got charcoal and pastel pencils that I just can't bring myself to use for that yucky texture aversion so I salute you for taking one for the team.
Haha thank you! The blocks had a silkier texture compared with pencils so it wasn't quite as nasty. But I have to mentally prepare myself for touching charcoal, lol.
Another brilliant video Becky. I hope you are enjoying your time out in Kiwiland. That plague doctor was a brilliant idea. Those masks are so creepy. I remember years ago I went to see a play. The whole thing was completely lost on me but towards the end a character came out with that exact mask on. I have no idea what the play was but I have never forgotten that bit. I know exactly what you mean about charcoal. I hate the feel of it too and end up with it all over me. Definitely spray with fixative even if you only do the mask.
Great drawings! I must be in the minority because I don’t mind getting messy with charcoal. Even more odd is that once the charcoal is on the paper, I like rubbing my finger over it to blend. I like the friction! 🤣😂
Thank you. 😊 Brave or foolish...I haven't decided yet, haha! Hopefully I will get to the graphite blocks soon in the next few weeks once I get myself back on schedule. Travelling threw that out the window, lol.
Oooh I love the plague doctor ! The wolf of course too, but I have an eye for that creepy type of subject matter😂 I was also confused about the names of the charcoal, especially the sanguine but maybe there is something I just don’t know about the tint? I always thought sanguine was more of a burnt orange/red. I would definitely say use fixative (if you haven’t already, I know my comment is late!) because charcoal can really smudge and make a mess. I definitely know what you mean about being able to create artwork quickly! It’s a really fast medium and that gives it somewhat of an advantage I think!
Sanguine is definitely meant to be red. Mine feels like they forgot to add the pigment, lol. But I'll use them up and I enjoyed the blocks over all. I needed the charcoal pencils for details on the wolf though, haha!
Sis, I feel you. I hate working with charcoal! The hair on my body keeps standing up from the sound and sensation of the charcoal hitting on the paper, even if its just the video! I even had to sell my Derwent Polychromos pencils - I literally couldn't use them because of the physical reaction I got. Good for you for actually being able to finish a drawing with them :D
@@BeckyTregear I could not. Seriously, I could not. Coloursofts were my first ever artist grade colored pencils and I tried so hard to get used to them! I get chills just thinking about it lol.
I love both your drawings! I feel the plague doctor though, lol. Just got done having a nasty head cold. Covid tests came back negative, but I couldn’t stop sneezing and my sinus were very plugged. I finally feel well enough to get outside, the weather is warming up, where I live in northern Minnesota. I don’t own these but from what I can tell from other videos, the colors look the same. Yes they do look messy, but I like that they can cover a large area, fast. I hope you are enjoying your trip! Have a great day and thanks for sharing.
I'm glad you're feeling a bit better, head colds are horrible! We have just a couple more days here and then flying home on Wednesday, all things going to plan. 💜
I just use a dry brush directly on my blocks, like it's eyeshadow and do more pastel paintings rather than having stronger colour, by drawing with the actual blocks. I think to draw with the blocks themselves would need bigger paper than I have at home at the minute. Would probably be good for flip-chart sized sheets or on the back of spare rolls of wallpaper, so you can have really big long pictures. They ought to do tins of a smaller manageable size ones too, like the size of the inktense blocks. If you blend with paint brushes, make-up sponge eyeshadow applicators and blending stumps, you don't get messy, use just as if they were pan pastels. I have Derwent rubber block covers that are specifically for both the XL blocks and the inktense small blocks. They are hard to get hold of now but sometimes on eBay. You made lovely art with them, i've only done landscapes with my charcoal ones. I haven't had chance to use my graphite block set yet. Yes it does really need fixative just the same as Pastels, but once the fine layer of dust has blown off they will keep ok. I have one still unfinished after a year and it hasn't smudged or anything yet.
I find I enjoy working charcoal in large size but small, tight pieces just don’t work as well for me with this medium. They’re great for figure studies and fast gestural drawings on cheap newsprint. They will need to be fixed for sure if you don’t want them to smudge and get charcoal everywhere! My sister got me a set of these blocks w green, blue, browns and black; they’re very nice used with water. I don’t use charcoal much these days though. Not enough space for those big sheets of paper. ☺️ You can also buy finger cots to protect your fingers from dust (I don’t know if Australia has a different name for them).
I ended up using a damp rag for cleaning my fingers periodically and that was ok. Yes the charcoal works more easily for large areas and getting details was much harder, lol.
I love the plague mask! It looked so great. Same with the wolf. Someday I will have the patience to layer my work. I’m still stuck in the mindset that it has to look right right from the start. For some reason I can’t seem to grasp the layering.
Thank you! I was a bit nervous with the charcoal as I am not very experienced with it, so I started super light in case it was a mess and I could wipe it off more easily, lol. They actually layered better than I expected. 😊
I don’t know what paper you used as to advise on fixative, but if you have any dry media fixative I would use it. Don’t use hairspray as it will yellow over time, it’s not archival.
Wow, they turned out great! Although you don't like the medium, you're very good at it. You can always use those Sofft tools for blending if you don't want to touch the medium. Please try pastels. They are insanely pigmented and vibrant. You will like them. My favourites are Unisons. They are not too soft or too hard but very buttery. And please get some Pastelmat for the pastels. It's so much better for layering than ingres paper.
Wow! How fun! Your drawings are beautiful! I’m so impressed with the process. Don’t enable me. Lol I wonder how they would react with alcohol? I wonder if it would create another type effect? Oh, and the way you did the music and video was brilliant!
I feel the same way about charcoal, it is just so messy. You did a great job with these and the final drawings turned out really cool! It was fun to see how you layered them to build up the contrast. I also didn't know you could use charcoal wet, that was interesting to see. I'm curious if it still smudges as much if it's used wet?
I think once it's wet it sets a lot more and doesn't fully smudge the way the dry charcoal does. But it will still shift a bit. I just wasn't enthused by the globby texture I got so I stuck with dry for these pictures. 😊
Looks great! REally like how that wolf came out. I do have a question that maybe you could answer in the XL Graphite video or another future vid, how well do the charcoal and the graphite blocks work together? I was thinking of buying the colors I like from each open stock, but if they don't play well I won't.
Great question and I will try and remember to test that out. I think graphite and charcoal might not be the best mix but maybe with water they would be better?
wow this video was epic!! I love the drawings so good! you should fix them for sure, I'd hate you to loose them over time by smudging them, the music fitted the theme brill, great video! :D
I bought the faber castel pastel pencils, swatched the first one and imideately put them in a drawer, never touched them again. I couldn't stand the noise and feel of them, it goes through me just thinking about them 😒 you are brave trying these as I couldn't touch them with a bargepole so well done Becky and fantastic drawing and of course awesome music as usual. Try hairspray to fix it, if it doesn't work at least it won't harm it. Have you tried pan pastels? Soooo soft and none of that dry feeling and sound they are expensive but worth every penny
Ahhh scratchy pencils! 😵 Pan Pastels are definitely much nicer to use and I should get mine out more, haha. These charcoals are quite smooth by comparison to others I've tried.
I like this video ...good idea to wrap the blocks i also feel you about the feeling of charcoal blocks and the messiness..nice music....l think you shouls spray this its such a beautiful piece of art work....mikelle art mom 👩🎨🎨✍
You're brave xD I'm trying to get into pastels but I'm worried about the mess XD I bought them and all and I remember loving them but the mess.. Jesus we are stuck in the weirdest ways tbh.. Great work as always I really loved the results
I LOVE the Plague Doctor! Did you end up using a fixer? If so how did it effect the charcoal? I am also so impressed with how easy you appear to create these artworks, l know how much hard work and practice you out in to hone your skills. Huge kudos to you. 😎🤘🏻❤️
Aw thank you! I haven't put fixative on, I've left them to do once we get home (hopefully they don't fall off the table in the meantime, lol!). I did a test on a small piece and it seems to work without messing with the charcoal, or staining it. I will probably spray multiple light layers, drying in between.
Thanks for the video as usual. ❤ Quick question: After applying water and letting it fully dry, do they stay put, or will they rub off, requiring a fixative?
@@veystone2580 I'm pretty sure I sprayed mine with fixative later on, as the wet charcoal stuck better but it was still pretty fragile when dried and enough contact was starting to rub it off again.
![Stromae, Pomme - “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1F3OGIFnW1k/mqdefault.jpg)
I filmed this a little backwards, as the artwork inspired the video and it is maybe a little different to my usual style? Anyway, please let me know of I should spray fixative on the drawings as I haven't done so yet. And yes we are still travelling, haha! I will be slow answering comments today as we are having a long day of driving and I won't be in wifi range until tonight. 😊
Enjoy the trip! I'm happy you could travel finally. Yes, you should protect them with some kind of fixative for charcoal.
Good choice with the self made paper wrapper. I went and bought cigarette paper and wrapped it around my charcoal sticks as well. Works perfectly.
That's a great idea! ❤️
@Becky Tregear Art yes it works great for the regular size ones that look like hard pastel stick.
Absolutely, spray fixative on it to protect it and anything it may come in contact with. Beautiful work by the way.
Thank you! 😊
I really like the wolf you drew. It came out beautiful.
Thank you ☺️❤️
I have an older version of this set and my colors do look a little different. I have a white yellow ochre, a soft brownish color a mars brown a sepia and a black. Your colors lean more to the green grey side on the video. Might be just the lighting. Love your first pic he looks good against his crisp white background lol Hope you are still enjoying your holiday thanks Becky for your video.
I think I got some weird coloured ones as I have seen others where sanguine was more red. Maybe a batch issue...who would know! Will be heading home on Wednesday morning, all going to plan.
Thank you for tutorial how to use Derwent XL Charcoal. Beautiful arts.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
Wow, that's awesome! The first time!??! They are beautiful! Both drawings!! Nice lights and shadows. Congrats!
Thank you, I was really happy with how the drawings turned out. But I filmed them first in case it was a disaster, haha!
YES! Do protect your drawing with fixative. When working with charcoal, appropriate fixative spray is mandatory for preserve your work.
I will do! 😊
Fixative yes artxx I believe is the one I use I ordered themost recent which as good as the one I use and took almost a month to get to USA worth the wait although I’m not sure how much difference is that great I’m too impatient so the other one I got off ebay or amazon, is awesome
I LOVE THE BIRD DOCTOR! It turned out really great...
Thank you 😊
Oh Becky I felt the same way the feel of charcoal and pastels they do sell the pastel holders 3/7 $ no needs to ever touch them, also I’ve fallin in love with pan pastels and all the tools available in the sofft range, I am having so much fun and I got 53 from someone on ebay with 5 trays and around 7 or more sets of sofft tools all theee things are a game changer for me!!!!!!!!!!! Also I use the ceramic smoothing tools with the pan pastels, I’ve used to tools on regular soft pastels, give it a thought I think your whole out look on pastels will change for the positive
Wow that was a great find on ebay! I do have some pan pastels, I just haven't used them as much as I intended, probably because I don't really have soft pastels to go with them or pastel pencils. I might remedy that eventually!💜
You are so inspiring Becky! I have these but have avoided using them for fear of the mess, but now I think I have to bite the bullet and try. Your drawings are fabulous. Thank you!
They certainly make a big old mess, haha! Making the little paper jackets helped a lot though. My desk took a while to come clean, lol.
Those are great drawing. Very dramatic and effective. I like your choice if music.
Thank you! 😊
Love your beautiful drawings Becky. I've got charcoal and pastel pencils that I just can't bring myself to use for that yucky texture aversion so I salute you for taking one for the team.
Haha thank you! The blocks had a silkier texture compared with pencils so it wasn't quite as nasty. But I have to mentally prepare myself for touching charcoal, lol.
Another brilliant video Becky. I hope you are enjoying your time out in Kiwiland. That plague doctor was a brilliant idea. Those masks are so creepy. I remember years ago I went to see a play. The whole thing was completely lost on me but towards the end a character came out with that exact mask on. I have no idea what the play was but I have never forgotten that bit.
I know exactly what you mean about charcoal. I hate the feel of it too and end up with it all over me. Definitely spray with fixative even if you only do the mask.
Thank you, they are so creepy but fascinating. I will fix them both when I get home. 😊
Becky, I love these!
Thank you 😊
Oh, man! That Plague Doctor is amazing!
Thank you 😊
Great drawings! I must be in the minority because I don’t mind getting messy with charcoal. Even more odd is that once the charcoal is on the paper, I like rubbing my finger over it to blend. I like the friction! 🤣😂
Haha I think it is one of those love or hate things.
I love your plague doctor and wolf charcoal drawings! You did a great job! And you are braver than me.
Thank you. 😊 Brave or foolish...I haven't decided yet, haha! Hopefully I will get to the graphite blocks soon in the next few weeks once I get myself back on schedule. Travelling threw that out the window, lol.
Oooh I love the plague doctor ! The wolf of course too, but I have an eye for that creepy type of subject matter😂 I was also confused about the names of the charcoal, especially the sanguine but maybe there is something I just don’t know about the tint? I always thought sanguine was more of a burnt orange/red. I would definitely say use fixative (if you haven’t already, I know my comment is late!) because charcoal can really smudge and make a mess. I definitely know what you mean about being able to create artwork quickly! It’s a really fast medium and that gives it somewhat of an advantage I think!
Sanguine is definitely meant to be red. Mine feels like they forgot to add the pigment, lol. But I'll use them up and I enjoyed the blocks over all. I needed the charcoal pencils for details on the wolf though, haha!
Sis, I feel you. I hate working with charcoal! The hair on my body keeps standing up from the sound and sensation of the charcoal hitting on the paper, even if its just the video! I even had to sell my Derwent Polychromos pencils - I literally couldn't use them because of the physical reaction I got. Good for you for actually being able to finish a drawing with them :D
I am trying to get past my intense dislike of the tactile feeling that pastels and charcoals produce. It isn’t easy, that’s for sure! 😂
@@BeckyTregear I could not. Seriously, I could not. Coloursofts were my first ever artist grade colored pencils and I tried so hard to get used to them! I get chills just thinking about it lol.
I love both your drawings! I feel the plague doctor though, lol. Just got done having a nasty head cold. Covid tests came back negative, but I couldn’t stop sneezing and my sinus were very plugged. I finally feel well enough to get outside, the weather is warming up, where I live in northern Minnesota. I don’t own these but from what I can tell from other videos, the colors look the same. Yes they do look messy, but I like that they can cover a large area, fast. I hope you are enjoying your trip! Have a great day and thanks for sharing.
I'm glad you're feeling a bit better, head colds are horrible! We have just a couple more days here and then flying home on Wednesday, all things going to plan. 💜
You are so inspiring!!! Both of them are fantastic. Know nothing about fixative but do know if I was rich I'd buy that wolf.
Wolf definitely needs a few layers of fixative as it is going to rub off very easily. That's the biggest pain with charcoal!
I just use a dry brush directly on my blocks, like it's eyeshadow and do more pastel paintings rather than having stronger colour, by drawing with the actual blocks. I think to draw with the blocks themselves would need bigger paper than I have at home at the minute. Would probably be good for flip-chart sized sheets or on the back of spare rolls of wallpaper, so you can have really big long pictures. They ought to do tins of a smaller manageable size ones too, like the size of the inktense blocks. If you blend with paint brushes, make-up sponge eyeshadow applicators and blending stumps, you don't get messy, use just as if they were pan pastels. I have Derwent rubber block covers that are specifically for both the XL blocks and the inktense small blocks. They are hard to get hold of now but sometimes on eBay. You made lovely art with them, i've only done landscapes with my charcoal ones. I haven't had chance to use my graphite block set yet. Yes it does really need fixative just the same as Pastels, but once the fine layer of dust has blown off they will keep ok. I have one still unfinished after a year and it hasn't smudged or anything yet.
I tried a few brushes but need more practise as I kept brushing it off, haha! I will have a go with the graphite ones soon hopefully. 😊
I do havethem but not used them much yet.
Time to get them out again? 😁
I find I enjoy working charcoal in large size but small, tight pieces just don’t work as well for me with this medium. They’re great for figure studies and fast gestural drawings on cheap newsprint. They will need to be fixed for sure if you don’t want them to smudge and get charcoal everywhere! My sister got me a set of these blocks w green, blue, browns and black; they’re very nice used with water. I don’t use charcoal much these days though. Not enough space for those big sheets of paper. ☺️
You can also buy finger cots to protect your fingers from dust (I don’t know if Australia has a different name for them).
I ended up using a damp rag for cleaning my fingers periodically and that was ok. Yes the charcoal works more easily for large areas and getting details was much harder, lol.
This looks amazing!
Thanks! 😊
Both of your drawings are spectacular! Not really a medium I would enjoy fully, but you rocked it!
Thank you! I enjoyed it more this time so I will have to try other drawings in the future. 😊
I love the plague mask! It looked so great. Same with the wolf. Someday I will have the patience to layer my work. I’m still stuck in the mindset that it has to look right right from the start. For some reason I can’t seem to grasp the layering.
Thank you! I was a bit nervous with the charcoal as I am not very experienced with it, so I started super light in case it was a mess and I could wipe it off more easily, lol. They actually layered better than I expected. 😊
I don’t know what paper you used as to advise on fixative, but if you have any dry media fixative I would use it. Don’t use hairspray as it will yellow over time, it’s not archival.
Snap! I just made the same reply to Sue Allen! :D
Thank you, and I do have some proper fixative, I just wanted to see what your opinions were on the subject. 💜
Yes. Use fixative. If nothing else spray it with hairspray
I have some proper spray and will apply liberally I think, haha!
Wow, they turned out great! Although you don't like the medium, you're very good at it. You can always use those Sofft tools for blending if you don't want to touch the medium. Please try pastels. They are insanely pigmented and vibrant. You will like them. My favourites are Unisons. They are not too soft or too hard but very buttery.
And please get some Pastelmat for the pastels. It's so much better for layering than ingres paper.
Thank you - I didn't think of using Sofft tools, doh! I have a small amount of pastel mat...I guess I'll need some actual pastels too, lol. 😂
@@BeckyTregear Jackson's have Unisons on sale this week. Just wanted to mention it, lol.
Great drawings Becky. These look sooooo messy I think I will spend more time cleaning my finger prints off the paper 🤣
I had a damp rag for wiping my fingers...it worked well!
Wow! How fun! Your drawings are beautiful! I’m so impressed with the process. Don’t enable me. Lol I wonder how they would react with alcohol? I wonder if it would create another type effect? Oh, and the way you did the music and video was brilliant!
Thank you, alcohol would definitely be something to try!
I want to try those but def messy lol
def spray those with fixative!
So very messy! 🤣
I feel the same way about charcoal, it is just so messy. You did a great job with these and the final drawings turned out really cool! It was fun to see how you layered them to build up the contrast. I also didn't know you could use charcoal wet, that was interesting to see. I'm curious if it still smudges as much if it's used wet?
I think once it's wet it sets a lot more and doesn't fully smudge the way the dry charcoal does. But it will still shift a bit. I just wasn't enthused by the globby texture I got so I stuck with dry for these pictures. 😊
Looks great! REally like how that wolf came out. I do have a question that maybe you could answer in the XL Graphite video or another future vid, how well do the charcoal and the graphite blocks work together? I was thinking of buying the colors I like from each open stock, but if they don't play well I won't.
Great question and I will try and remember to test that out. I think graphite and charcoal might not be the best mix but maybe with water they would be better?
wow this video was epic!! I love the drawings so good! you should fix them for sure, I'd hate you to loose them over time by smudging them, the music fitted the theme brill, great video! :D
Thank you so much! I will fix them when I get home. 😊
I bought the faber castel pastel pencils, swatched the first one and imideately put them in a drawer, never touched them again. I couldn't stand the noise and feel of them, it goes through me just thinking about them 😒 you are brave trying these as I couldn't touch them with a bargepole so well done Becky and fantastic drawing and of course awesome music as usual. Try hairspray to fix it, if it doesn't work at least it won't harm it. Have you tried pan pastels? Soooo soft and none of that dry feeling and sound they are expensive but worth every penny
Bear in mind that hairspray will yellow significantly over time and change the colours. :)
Ahhh scratchy pencils! 😵 Pan Pastels are definitely much nicer to use and I should get mine out more, haha. These charcoals are quite smooth by comparison to others I've tried.
I like this video ...good idea to wrap the blocks i also feel you about the feeling of charcoal blocks and the messiness..nice music....l think you shouls spray this its such a beautiful piece of art work....mikelle art mom 👩🎨🎨✍
Thank you, and yes I think I will have to spray them because they are so fragile!
Awesome job on the wolf!! I thought the sanguine was redder and the purple on more purple? What did you think? Did you see color in them?
I would have expected sanguine to be red...I think I got a dud, lol.
You're brave xD
I'm trying to get into pastels but I'm worried about the mess XD I bought them and all and I remember loving them but the mess.. Jesus we are stuck in the weirdest ways tbh..
Great work as always I really loved the results
The mess bothers me more because it transfers to everything I touch, lol!
I LOVE the Plague Doctor! Did you end up using a fixer? If so how did it effect the charcoal?
I am also so impressed with how easy you appear to create these artworks, l know how much hard work and practice you out in to hone your skills. Huge kudos to you. 😎🤘🏻❤️
Aw thank you! I haven't put fixative on, I've left them to do once we get home (hopefully they don't fall off the table in the meantime, lol!). I did a test on a small piece and it seems to work without messing with the charcoal, or staining it. I will probably spray multiple light layers, drying in between.
Beautiful video and drawings, I douubt that I will enjoy it but worth giving a try ;)
It was a bit more enjoyable than I was dreading, haha!
That is amazing! The texture is beautiful, but I also can’t stand charcoal…
I am trying to like it more...haha.
Art by me ,question how much where they on eBay $48.95 he looks fabulous would it be better wet would it look different wet .
I bought mine for around AU$28 at The Art Shop, because they were much cheaper than anything I found online, in the $40 range!
💜💜💜tfs💜💜💜
Thanks for the video as usual. ❤ Quick question: After applying water and letting it fully dry, do they stay put, or will they rub off, requiring a fixative?
@@veystone2580 I'm pretty sure I sprayed mine with fixative later on, as the wet charcoal stuck better but it was still pretty fragile when dried and enough contact was starting to rub it off again.
@@BeckyTregear Thank u SO MUCH for that info!!! ❤️
I’ve eyed these but can’t justify the purchase. I do like your outcomes, however!
They were a bit of fun and worth it if you see them on sale! I got mine for quite cheap, compared to most places I looked.
Your sanguine doesn’t look right, it should be a pinky red. I’ve checked mine and also checked online at the colours.
That's what I thought...I got a dud, I think! 😂
Dead on arrival.
Ewwwww! Even the sound of them is cringey. They sound exactly how they feel, I imagine.
I had my music playing loud! 🤣