What will you learn?
Charcoal Drawing
Get to know the charcoal tools and prepare for drawing. Study the eye in a sequence that develops its details and tonal relationships.
Continue with a charcoal portrait, then an extended older-face portrait exercise. Observe changes in skin, form, shadow and texture.
The course concentrates on shading and developing a charcoal image. It does not replace a separate course in freehand construction. Repeat the demonstrations to strengthen control of the medium.
Learning outcomes
- Choose and handle charcoal materials
- Develop the light and dark structure of an eye
- Build portrait values and details
- Observe skin texture and age in a portrait
- Refine shading and presentation
Your learning path
Course curriculum
Browse the complete lesson sequence. These are translated lesson titles and descriptions; current video recordings remain in Arabic.
01 · Tools and preparing to draw1 lessons
- Charcoal drawing tools02:16
Practical demonstration: Charcoal drawing tools. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
02 · An eye study in charcoal10 lessons
- Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 104:45
Practical demonstration: Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 1. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 221:20
Practical demonstration: Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 2. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 321:20
Practical demonstration: Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 3. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 421:20
Practical demonstration: Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 4. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 521:20
Practical demonstration: Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 5. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 621:19
Practical demonstration: Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 6. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 721:20
Practical demonstration: Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 7. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 821:20
Practical demonstration: Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 8. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 927:48
Practical demonstration: Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 9. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 1004:29
Practical demonstration: Drawing an eye in charcoal — Part 10. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
03 · A charcoal portrait project9 lessons
- Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 120:14
Practical demonstration: Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 1. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 220:08
Practical demonstration: Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 2. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 320:14
Practical demonstration: Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 3. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 420:14
Practical demonstration: Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 4. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 520:14
Practical demonstration: Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 5. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 620:14
Practical demonstration: Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 6. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 720:14
Practical demonstration: Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 7. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 820:17
Practical demonstration: Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 8. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 922:27
Practical demonstration: Drawing a charcoal portrait — Part 9. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
04 · An older-face portrait14 lessons
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 120:12
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 1. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 220:28
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 2. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 320:28
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 3. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 420:28
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 4. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 520:28
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 5. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 619:59
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 6. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 719:59
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 7. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 819:59
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 8. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 919:59
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 9. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 1019:59
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 10. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 1119:59
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 11. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 1219:59
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 12. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 1319:59
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 13. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 1421:46
Practical demonstration: Drawing an older-face portrait in charcoal — Part 14. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
Tools and materials
- Powdered and compressed charcoal
- Charcoal pencils
- Drawing paper
- Blending tools, erasers, sharpeners and shading brushes
Materials, software and devices are purchased separately. Check compatibility and follow the safety instructions for the products you use.
Make time for practice
Watch a manageable part of the demonstration, pause and try the steps yourself. Keep your exercises so that you can compare them. Return to difficult sections and develop your work at your own pace.
Who is this course for?
Learners who want to develop charcoal shading and portrait studies.
Record your progress
Your account saves lesson completion and playback position. Once eligible, request a completion certificate with the name you want printed on it. Newer members need to complete 60% of the lessons; eligible previous members can request directly. The certificate is emailed once per course and is not an academic or government qualification.
Read certificate and learning terms ↗Questions about this course
What language are the recordings in?
Arabic recordings are available now. English recordings are coming soon and will be added to this same course without another purchase.
Will I need to buy the same course in the other language?
No. Both website languages use the same course and enrolment. Your valid access opens the same course without another purchase. English recordings are playable only after they are supplied and verified.
How do I access my lessons?
Sign in with the account used for purchase. After payment confirmation, open My Courses and choose this course. Lessons are streamed in your account and can be paused and replayed.
How do I receive a certificate?
Request it from your learning space once eligible. Members registered after 10 October 2026 need 60% lesson completion. Eligible previous members can request directly. The certificate is emailed as an image and is not an academic qualification.
Are materials or software included?
The course price covers the recorded educational content. Required art materials, software and devices are separate. Review the tools list before enrolling.
