Faber-Castell Natural Charcoal Sticks - 7-12mm - 6 Pack
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Faber-Castell Pitt Compressed Charcoal Stick Soft Drawing Sketching£3.99 delivery£2.21Visit shop →
Hobbycraft Trading LtdFaber-Castell Pitt Extra Soft Pressed Charcoal 3 Pack
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Faber-Castell Natural Charcoal Sticks 12 Pack 5-8Mm£4.95 delivery£7.12Visit shop →
Faber-Castell Natural Charcoal Sticks 6 Pack 7-12Mm£4.95 delivery£7.12Visit shop →
OnBuy.comFaber-Castell Art & Graphic Pitt Natural Charcoal Stick, Charcoal, 9-15Mm, For Art, Craft, Drawing, Sketching, Home, School, University, Colouring
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Faber-Castell Art & Graphic Pitt Natural Charcoal Stick, Charcoal, 6-11Mm, For Art, Craft, Drawing, Sketching, Home, School, University, ColouringFree delivery in 1–3 days£10.81Visit shop →
Faber-Castell Pack Of 3 Compressed Pitt Charcoal Sticks, Intensive Black, SoftFree delivery in 1–3 days£10.98Visit shop →
Product Information
Full details
The Faber-Castell Natural Charcoal Sticks set is an essential tool for professional artists and students focused on sketching and expressive drawing. These sticks provide a unique, smooth-gliding experience that produces a distinctive greyish-blue shade, perfect for layering and adding depth to charcoal studies. While they offer exceptional blending capabilities and are easy to erase, they are fragile and require careful handling to prevent accidental snapping during intense drawing sessions.
All features
| Model Part Number | 129398 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Faber-Castell |
Extended Product Information
FAQs
Can I use these for fine detail work?
These sticks are best for broad, expressive strokes. For fine detail, you may need to use a sharpening block to create a point or consider a charcoal pencil.
Are these sticks oil-based?
No, they are grease and oil-free, which ensures they remain matte and easy to blend.
How do I erase mistakes?
A kneaded eraser is the most effective tool for removing natural charcoal, as it can be shaped to pick up fine details or large areas.
Do I need to sharpen them?
You can use a sandpaper block to sharpen the edges if you need a specific angle, though most artists use them in their natural, irregular state.
Are these the same as compressed charcoal?
No, natural charcoal is softer and provides a greyish-blue hue, whereas compressed charcoal is denser, often mixed with clay, and produces a deeper, darker black.
Is a fixative required?
Yes, because natural charcoal does not contain binders, a fixative is highly recommended to protect your artwork once completed.
Troubleshooting
Charcoal breaks easily during use
Apply lighter pressure and hold the stick closer to the paper surface to reduce leverage stress.
Dust is accumulating too heavily on the drawing
Periodically tilt the drawing board slightly to let excess dust fall away, or use a soft brush to sweep it off.
Artwork smudges during the drawing process
Use a piece of tracing paper or a clean sheet under your hand to prevent oils from your skin and accidental hand smudges.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Smooth, soft application on paper
- Excellent for smudging and blending techniques
- Easily erasable for mistake correction
- Free of grease and oil
- Provides a sophisticated greyish-blue tone
Cons
- Sticks are brittle and can break if dropped
- Creates dust during use which requires workspace management
- Requires fixative spray to prevent smearing once finished
Setup, Compatibility & Care
To maximize the life of your Faber-Castell charcoal sticks, store them in a cool, dry place inside their original packaging or a padded art box to prevent breakage. They are compatible with most standard charcoal and pastel papers.
- Surface Selection: Use textured paper (laid or charcoal paper) for better pigment adhesion.
- Application: Start with light pressure to lay down base tones, building to darker layers.
- Blending: Use a blending stump, tortillon, or soft cloth to manipulate the charcoal.
- Preservation: Always protect finished work with a high-quality artist's fixative to prevent permanent smudging or dust transfer.