Black Fine Grade Charcoal Powder 30 Grams Powder For Sketching Large Area Comes in Plastic Box Drawing with Powdered Charcoal Powdered charcoal is a material that consists of pulverized charcoal. Charcoal material is crushed into small powder-like pieces resulting in powdered charcoal. Powdered charcoal is typically applied by brushing it into the surface, but it can also be poured onto the surface and spread. The manner in which powdered charcoal is used in a drawing is ultimately up the creativity of the artist. Mostly, it is used as a means of toning the paper. (Paper can also be toned in a similar manner by applying vine charcoal to the surface and then working it in to the surface with a paper towel or chamois. Toning the paper allows the artist to work from a neutral value or midtone. Darks can be pushed darker, while light values can be created through erasing. This is a clear advantage since creating a full range of value should always be an important consideration in a drawing. It is much easier to attain a full range of value when the middle values have been established on the surface. Cautions on the use of Powdered Charcoal There are a few considerations to keep in mind when using powdered charcoal. The most obvious one is the mess that it will create. Just opening a bottle of the medium will produce a dark cloud of dust. The tiny pieces that float out drift in the air and land on objects, producing a dusty haze. So, be sure to use the medium in an area that you dont mind making a little dirty. A warning label can be found on the product as well. The dust that is expelled from the product is obviously not good to breathe, but in case you couldnt figure that one out - theyve got a label. One More Observation Powdered charcoal should be used in conjunction with traditional charcoal. The medium alone will not produce the dark values necessary for a complete drawing. It is great for toning areas on the surface - especially during the drawing