Alright artists, this Speedball Coate willow charcoal is the real deal if you're serious about charcoal drawing. The Coate family has been growing willow for charcoal since 1819, and you can tell the difference in quality immediately. The charcoal has this velvety smoothness that glides across paper effortlessly, creating rich, deep black marks that have incredible tonal range. The 30 sticks come in assorted lengths from about 3mm to 12mm in diameter, giving you versatility for both fine details and broad strokes. What I love about natural willow charcoal compared to compressed charcoal is the way it blends beautifully and can be lifted easily for highlights and corrections. It creates these beautiful, expressive lines that have so much character. The sticks are in their natural branch shape, which gives you interesting edges and points to work with. I've used this for everything from quick gesture drawings to more finished pieces, and it performs consistently well. It's also great for preliminary sketches for paintings because it doesn't interfere with subsequent layers like graphite sometimes can. The quality is exceptional - each stick burns evenly and doesn't have gritty particles that can scratch your paper. If you're looking for professional-grade willow charcoal that offers beautiful tonal range and smooth application, this Speedball Coate charcoal is definitely worth trying. It's become my preferred charcoal for both teaching and my own artwork because of its consistent quality and beautiful handling characteristics.
Free 30-day returns 
Free 30-day returns
