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Charcoal is available commercially in three grades of hardness, but it is possible to create a wider variety of charcoal for drawing. Different types of wood and preparation allow warmer or cooler color and different qualities of texture. It is also possible to create various sizes of charcoal sticks and blocks. |
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There is little in literature to guide us in making charcoal. One mention of the process is found in The Book of the Art of Cennino Cennini, a 1437 treatise on Italian painting, translated by Christiana J. Herringham in 1899. Cennino describes cutting the twigs, placing them in a casserole, and sealing the casserole with clay. The casserole would be placed overnight in the local baker's oven with the loaves of bread. The following morning, Cennino would pick up his charcoal when the baker opened the oven. |
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Using Cennino's book as a guide, we can use a modern version of his process to make small batches of charcoal. |
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For those who wish to make serious quantities of charcoal, Page 3 is an on-line republication of Robert Lea's Charcoal Making at Home reprinted by permission of the author. |
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