A comprehensive course in understanding and using charcoal: from choosing the right materials to mastering tone, texture, fur, fabric, and a solid black finish.
Who this is for
You've picked up charcoal and felt like it was working against you. It goes everywhere, it's hard to control, and when something goes wrong, it can feel impossible to fix. Maybe you've tried following along with videos and still ended up with something that doesn't look the way you wanted.
The problem usually isn't your ability. It's that no one has explained how the medium actually works: why certain papers respond differently, how to layer charcoal and graphite properly, when to blend and when to stop. This course covers all of it in a single, structured method.
It's suited to anyone who wants to draw more seriously, whether you're a complete beginner or someone who has been drawing for years and wants to go deeper into the craft.
What makes this course different
Most charcoal tutorials teach you how to copy one image. This course teaches you how charcoal behaves, so that you can apply what you learn to any drawing you want to make.
Over 17 modules, you'll work through everything from materials and paper to blending, layering, textured backgrounds, transparent fabric, realistic fur, solid blacks, and finishing. Each technique is taught in isolation so you understand it clearly, and then you'll see how it connects to the rest of your practice.
The Ultimate Charcoal Techniques Course
$97.00 AUD
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The Ultimate Charcoal Techniques Course
$97.00 AUD
17 modules
Beginner Friendly
Lifetime Access
What you'll learn
The approach throughout this course is to give you the reasoning behind each decision, not just the steps. Understanding why a technique works means you can adapt it, troubleshoot it, and make it your own. That's what separates a developing artist from someone who can only copy a reference when conditions are perfect.
Introduction
How this course is structured and what to expect throughout
Choosing the best reference photos
Why high-contrast references are more forgiving for beginners, and how to build toward subtler tones as your skills develop
The best paper
Hot pressed vs cold pressed, weight, surface texture, and which brands actually hold up: including a comparison of Saunders Waterford, Fabriano, and Arches
Pencils, charcoal, brushes and erasers
Every tool used in the course with links to purchase, and honest guidance on what you actually need versus what you can skip
How to make your own charcoal powder
Why store-bought powder is often under-pigmented, and how to make a richer, darker alternative from compressed charcoal sticks
Why I soak the paper with water
How soaking relaxes the paper fibres, prevents warping, and sets up a better drawing surface from the start
Creating textured backgrounds with graphite powder
How to mix graphite powder with water to create organic, painterly backgrounds that give your drawing depth before you've made a single mark
Proportions and outline
Learn the four methods for establishing an accurate outline & why your outline is a map, not a commitment
Creating transparent fabric with charcoal
How to build tone from dark to light to create the illusion of soft, sheer fabric with real depth and structure
Using dry brushes to paint with charcoal
A technique for covering large areas with charcoal powder using brushes instead of pencils, creating smooth gradients without pencil lines
Using charcoal and graphite together
How to layer these two mediums without them fighting each other, and the specific order of operations that gives the best results
How to avoid graphite shine
Why over-layering graphite kills depth and contrast, and how to keep your darks rich without losing the ability to add charcoal on top
The best blending techniques
When to use each and why over-blending is one of the most common mistakes in charcoal drawing
The scribble technique
How to build tone through layered pencil marks without blending, and the specific mistakes to avoid when attempting this method
Creating textured and realistic animal fur
Learn to create directional marks, focal depth, and what makes fur look three-dimensional rather than flat. (Includes the full tiger course technique)
Achieving solid black backgrounds
How to build a deep, even black using compressed charcoal, fixative layering, and a wet charcoal paste method for maximum pigment
Using white charcoal
Why white charcoal needs to be used sparingly, and how to apply it for soft fabric effects without it looking disconnected from the rest of the drawing
Finishing and sealing an artwork
How to apply fixative correctly, how to crop and compose the final piece, and how to know when to stop working on a drawing
About Carly
I'm a full-time visual artist based in Australia, working in oil painting and charcoal. I studied at the Florence Classical Art Academy in Italy, but when I created this course, I was entirely self-taught: no formal training, just years of observation, experimentation, and patient repetition.
I made it because I wanted to show that photorealistic drawing isn't a mystery. It's a set of learnable techniques, applied consistently, with enough time to let the layers build. That belief hasn't changed.
What students say
"Everything about the course was perfect. It was easy to follow, and Carly went into great detail when giving explanations throughout the course videos. If I had any questions or there was something I was unsure about, I found Carly to be very approachable. I highly recommend this course to anyone wishing to take their work to the next level, no matter what stage they are at in their art journey."
Adrian — @adrianbarnaby.art
"Before starting this course I was struggling with getting my technique right and was finding fur really difficult to draw. This course is extremely easy to follow, gives great tips and advice and I can confidently say my drawing skills have already improved."
Charlotte — @charlottebrook.art
"I decided to take Carly's course, and it was the best decision. As an artist, I always want to expand on my skills and knowledge, and this class did all of those things. There were some techniques she taught that really made a huge difference in my artwork. I am so grateful to Carly for sharing her knowledge."
Lisa
"This course was the breakthrough I needed. The focus on fundamentals and observation helped me see my mistakes clearly and actually fix them.
My drawings now have a level of depth and realism I didn’t think I was capable of, and I feel like I’ve finally moved past that stuck phase."
Andrew
Enrol in the course
$97 AUD
One-time payment — approx. $62 USD
✓ 17 video modules covering the complete charcoal process
✓ Full materials list with links to purchase
✓ Includes the full animal fur and tiger technique module
✓ Lifetime access, watch at your own pace
Pickup currently not available
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any experience with charcoal?
No. The course starts from the very beginning with materials, paper, and how the medium behaves. That said, it goes deep enough to be genuinely useful to artists who have been drawing for years. It's structured so you can work through it in order or jump to the modules most relevant to where you are.
How is this different from the tiger course?
The tiger course follows a single artwork from start to finish. This course teaches the medium itself: why techniques work, how different tools and papers respond, and how to apply that understanding to any drawing you want to make. The fur and tiger technique is included here as one module within a much broader curriculum.
What materials do I need?
The course includes a full tools & materials module. You don't need to have anything before you start. Most of what's used is inexpensive and available online.
Can I use these techniques for other subjects?
Yes, and that's one of the main reasons to take this course. The techniques cover fabric, skin tone, backgrounds, and general tone-building as well as fur. Several students have used what they learned here to draw portraits, landscapes, and figures.
Is there a refund policy?
This is a digital product with instant access to all course content, so I'm not able to offer refunds once the course has been accessed. If you have any questions about whether this course is right for you before purchasing, feel free to get in touch at hello@carlyrenee.co
