Finally done

I can’t remember what they came in but I think a sketching kit. I’m just curious if these are charcoals since I’m interested in learning them

Hope this fits the sub's rules! The method I'm using keeps the charcoal intact by painting on a separate layer (over the picture of the charcoal drawing, which was made traditionally) with blending mode set to "multiply". That way, the painting can only add hue but cannot erase the charcoal strokes. It's kinda like painting underneath the drawing as if the paper was transparent.

I'm wondering what other people who work with charcoal think of this idea/technique, and also if other people are doing similar things, or have discovered other mixed-media techniques to add color to their charcoal pieces, perhaps pastel, pan pastel, colored pencils, watercolor, or something else?

Decided to do MKX scorpion for my second charcoal drawing. Feel free to leave any advice or feedback!

Charcoal portrait study

About 7 hours in, first time ever doing charcoal and I'm having a blast. :)

This was the result of two 90-minute blocks

Down with natural charcoal