Nitram charcoal has been an invaluable aid in my artistic journey. I love the range of darkness, and how it is perfect for details as well as mass shapes. Nitram charcoal also helps me to developed my drawings patiently – layer by layer, while still looking fresh every time. This is why I used Nitram charcoal sticks and powder in my recent solo drawing exhibition. It allowed me to give full expression to what I felt and the visual poetry I wanted to convey.
Nitram is far and away better than any other charcoal that I’ve used, so much so that I wouldn’t consider using any other brand. I first started using Nitram while training at the Ateliers in Florence, and now it’s what my own students at The Glasgow Academy of Fine Art use in all their drawing projects. Unlike standard willow or vine charcoals, Nitram comes in three different grades of hardness, all of which can be sharpened to a fine point. These are both essential qualities if you want to work with precision and control, as the beginning stage of a drawing requires a very soft charcoal, which is easier to erase and lay in a heavy value, while the latter stages requires very delicate work to hatch in the more subtle value shifts, which is better served by a harder charcoal.
"I drew this portrait from life with Nitram Charcoal in three sessions. It was completed as part of my training at the Academy of Figurative Arts. Nitram Charcoal enables me to create artworks of excellent finish and quality. Its remarkable versatility and various hardnesses allows me to achieve precise results in capturing the finer details, enhancing mid-tones and maintaining compressed shadows."