Specialization in Pencil & Charcoal Drawing

I wouldn’t be creating the way I do if it weren’t for these artists. I'd love to share some of the artistic movements and individuals who have shaped the way I feel about art.

Influences | Jono Dry

Influences | Gonzalo Ibáñez

In this lesson, I will talk to you about the main influences that have marked my artistic path and that feed me today, whether from painting, drawing or photography.

In this lesson, I will talk about the people who have influenced my art over the years. People often ask me about my distinctive style of drawing, and it is because I have a wide range of influences.

Influences | Sam Brisley

Module 2

Explore the emotional power of portrait drawing alongside Juan Perednik. In this module, you'll learn how to use light, shadow, and proportion to create expressive and realistic faces. More than technique, it’s about learning to see—and to feel—what lies beyond the surface. A perfect starting point to bring your portraits to life.

12 lessons (1h 56m)

What Is Realism in Drawing?

Let's start with the basics! In this lesson I want to tell you what I understand as realism and how to apply it later in our drawings.

How to Choose a Reference Photo?

Now I am going to mention what are the most important points when choosing a reference photo and I will exemplify it with the photo that I selected for the course project.

The Materials

In this lesson, I am going to describe and recommend the materials that you should use during the course.

What Is the Abstract Structure and What Is It For?

In this lesson you will see how to build the structure of the face seen from the front. First, I'll do an introduction to abstract structure: lines, basic geometry, and how to go from simple to complex. Then, I will give you examples of structures on photos and, finally, I will show you a step-by-step construction sequence.

Once the abstract structure is made, it is time to draw the character to be portrayed on it. Let's do it!

Character Drawing

How Light and Shadow Work 1

In this lesson I will show you some simple but important exercises to understand the concepts of light and shadow. I'll also show you how to create a grayscale and a sphere with different types of shadows.

How Light and Shadow Work 2

Now I'm going to debunk some myths and preconceptions about the face—eyes, nose, mouth—and show you how to bring all the light and shadow work you did in the first part of this lesson into a more complex organic shape.

You already have the necessary bases to start your project. In this part of the process, I will teach you how to thumbnail sketches to find an aesthetic idea that you like.

Thumbnail Sketches

First Layers of Shading of the Drawing

You already have the abstract structure made and you drew your character with lines. You also saw what aesthetic to give to the drawing and you did the gray scale. Now it's time to shade your drawing with the values 1 and 3, with 1 being the white of the paper and 3 being the middle of the scale.

Blending: Composition and Movement

You are already reaching the final stretch of your project! In this last stage, you will soften some textures and give the last touches and details to your drawing.

Retouching and Documentation of the Process

In this lesson I'll show you how to edit the photo of your finished drawing so that the digital image is faithful to the work on paper. You will also see how by photographing each stage of your drawing you will achieve a record of its creation process.

Drawing Analysis

With the finished drawing and next to the chosen reference photo on the table, I will make a brief analysis of my process. This is important to rescue both what I liked and what I didn't and, in this way, be able to apply it or not to future creations.

Module 3

Enter the world of charcoal drawing with Sim Sim and explore how to create deeply atmospheric and personal portraits. Through technique and visual storytelling, you’ll learn to go beyond the surface and give emotion and depth to your images. Discover how light, shadow, and tone can turn a simple drawing into a piece with cinematic power.

15 lessons (2h 34m)

His Own Story

I'll start by showing you how your own experiences influence your work.

The Medium

In this lesson, I will explain why I use charcoal, how it allows me to transcribe my ideas.

The History of Art

Now I'm going to talk to you about the importance of art history in your practice.

Sketchbooks and Travel Notebooks

Now I'm going to introduce you to my sketchbooks and explain why it's relevant to use them!

Everything we produce comes from what our brain has collected in the past: films, images, arts, podcasts, etc. To do this, you will see how to effectively draw on your inspirations.

Personal Data Bank

The Material

First of all, you will be interested in charcoal and its different variations.

Taming the Technique

In this lesson I will teach you all the basics of drawing: proportion, value, outline.

You will see how to find a subject, a story for your work, and how to represent it so that it is as faithful as possible to the initial idea.

Find a Topic

Charcoal Drawing Methods

To finish this unit, I will explain how to draw from a photo reference with correct proportions.

In this first lesson, you will create the first layer in charcoal which will serve as a basis for the light and atmosphere of the drawing.

First Layer

Now you will see how to work in depth with the impressions of shadows and light.

Lights and Shadows

You will be interested in the main shapes that make up the image, and especially the focal point of the drawing which is the most important part in a drawing.

Forms

Details

In this final step I will teach you how to apply the final details and contrasts.

Digitize and Share Your Work

Our generation now has the opportunity to share our work digitally around the world. To do this, you will learn how to digitize and share your work.

Draw, Draw and Draw Again

In this lesson, you will see how to develop your art and make it evolve.

Module 4

Dive into the world of hyperrealistic drawing and master the techniques that bring depth and detail to life. This module takes you through the full creative process—from planning and reference photography to final pencil strokes. Learn to work with graphite using professional tools and discover how digital resources like Photoshop can enhance your compositions. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned artists, it’s your path to creating striking, lifelike art with purpose and precision.

22 lessons (4h 22m)

Graphite Pencil Basics

In this lesson, I'll go through all the key tools needed for drawing. We’ll deep dive into different forms of graphite, discuss a range of pencils and how to use them to achieve different textures and techniques. You'll also look at other essential tools like blending stumps, erasers, brushes and more, and how they can be great at achieving those intricate details in your drawing.

Paper

Let's talk about paper. As the foundation for drawing the paper you work on determines how your graphite will behave. I'll give insight into my exploration with paper and what I've found to be the best paper for graphite drawing in my style.

Manipulating Graphite 1

Now that you’ve gone over the basic tools, I will teach you how to use them. Specifically, I’ll talk about the many ways you can manipulate graphite to achieve textures and depth in your artwork.

To finish this unit, you'll learn how to use graphite powder for deep, smooth values and discover how different erasers—kneadable, precision, and mechanical—offer control for highlights, textures, and sharp details.

Manipulating Graphite 2

Let's talk about the conceptualising and planning stage. It’s really great to spend a lot of time on this stage. The goal is to find subject matter that you feel excited to draw. I’ll talk about the planning process and key things to look out for. I'll also teach you how to make a great composition and choose a subject matter that feels special.

Conceptualization

Photography for Reference

In this lesson, I'l explain the role photography plays in my planning process. The world of photography can be daunting, but I’ll go over the basics elements of photography that you can easily apply. I’ll also go over things to take into consideration for drawing it later.

Creating a Composite Image

Here I’ll discuss applying all we have learned in this to make one composite image for you to use for your final reference. I go over the basics of working with Photoshop, using what we learned in lesson two to marry the elements together. Finally, I’ll show you how to prepare the final file for drawing.

Let’s talk about the grid method. This is such a useful tool to create accuracy while still allowing freedom in the drawing process. Using the grid has a technical learning curve to it so I'll share notes on what I’ve found works best using this method.

Using the Grid Method

Mapping and Outline

What is the best way to begin your drawing? From initial outlining to light sketching, to helpful ways to create landmarks to ensure accuracy later on in the drawing process.

Now that you have all of the main landmarks mapped out, I'll share different ways that I approach drawing. The early stages can often feel quite daunting, so we’ll work on blocking out and working in small sections.

Working in Sections 1

By using tools like brushes for base tones and kneadable erasers for highlights, you’ll see how to refine the texture and movement of hair, ensuring it looks natural.

Working in Sections 2

Advanced Techniques Applying Graphite and Techniques 1

It’s so important to be intentional with the way you apply graphite. This requires an intense amount of concentration, but the results are so rewarding. Let’s start to develop our tones and add diffused details. I’ll demonstrate various techniques such as layering, smoothing out fine lines, drawing with an eraser, making corrections and tracking large important shapes in your artwork.

Advanced Techniques Applying Graphite and Techniques 2

Now, you’ll learn to balance personal artistic choices with the inherent limitations of graphite, making deliberate decisions that contribute to your work's unique identity. This iterative process sharpens your ability to capture depth and texture while maintaining the natural flow of the composition.

Advanced Techniques Applying Graphite and Techniques 3

This part of the lesson emphasizes balancing experimentation and discipline. You’ll learn to use mapping to establish foundational shapes and practice using erasers for highlights and brushes for blending, creating subtle transitions.

Now that the bulk of your drawing is done, let’s move into the detail work. Let’s go back and refine the highlights and enhance the shadows using fine erasers.

Detailing 1

I'll teach you how to refine the process of drawing hair by focusing on larger shapes before gradually introducing finer details. The emphasis is on capturing the natural flow and texture of hair through highlights, shadows, and abstracted shapes, rather than attempting to draw individual strands.

Detailing 2

During this part of the lesson, you will see how to focus on adding detailed textures and tones to hands, emphasizing shadows, highlights, and subtle shapes that define realistic anatomy. Precision is key, as even minor inaccuracies can distort the hand’s proportions and overall appearance.

Detailing 3

Lastly, using tools like mechanical erasers, precision erasers, and soft pencils, you’ll learn how to create delicate textures, such as fine hairs following natural growth patterns and subtle wrinkles where the skin stretches or bends. By mastering these final touches, you’ll enhance the depth and polish of your artwork, leaving it ready for a comprehensive review in the next lesson.

Detailing 4

Let’s move into the finishing touches. Remember to keep stepping back! This allows us to view the piece as a whole and unify the tone of the overall work. Finally, I’ll fix the drawing with fixative.

Final Touches

Finding the Balance

From a personal perspective, I find it quite a challenge to manage my time. In this lesson, I discuss ways to manage your creative time better, barriers to entry, how to tackle large projects and my favourite ways to maintain a healthy workflow.

Overcoming Creative Blocks

I am sure all artists have experienced this at some point: creative blocks. I want to share what may cause creative blocks and my personal tips for overcoming them.

Continuous Learning and Improvement

How can we cultivate a life long artistic practice that is both sustainable and exciting? I share what my career has taught me about building healthy creative structures: from self-critique, learning new skills and mediums, engaging with a community, collaboration and the reality of being a full time independent artist.

Module 5

Explore the power of watercolor to capture light, space, and emotion alongside Gonzalo Ibáñez. In this module, you’ll learn perspective drawing techniques and how to use light and shadow to bring architectural or urban landscapes to life. Guided step by step, you’ll discover a fluid and expressive approach to watercolor that blends precision with creative freedom.

13 lessons (2h 22m)

Basics of Perspective Drawing

In this lesson I will explain how to make an architectural drawing in perspective from beginning to end, going through the main axes of its process: structure, perspective and development.

17m

The Architectural Motif

In this lesson I will present you the case study that I will develop throughout the course, for this, I will explain the main considerations that I will take to choose a pictorial trigger so that you can also put them into practice and you can choose your own references.

Drawing and Practical Notes

In this lesson we will develop the architectural drawing of our case study applying all the previously studied concepts.

To know the materials! In this lesson I will talk about the materials to use in a watercolor painting so that you can assemble your equipment, in addition, I will give you tips so that you can organize your workspace wherever you are.

Materials and Work Area

The Consistency of the Pigment and Its Application

In this lesson you will learn the fundamental basis for any watercolor work, which is to manage the balance between water and pigment. Taking as a reference the method that great watercolorists use for their work and teaching, I will tell you about the consistency table. We will see how the different consistencies are manifested under different humidity conditions on the paper, finally we will talk about common mistakes and what we should pay attention to to avoid them.

In this lesson we will match the court with respect to technique and I will teach you from the basics, with 4 fundamental exercises and the use of the brushstroke that I use in my daily work.

Brush Stroke Technique

In this lesson I will show you some important fundamentals to know for the correct capture of lights and shadows, a central part of the technique to approach this course.

Basics of Light Capture

Tonal Value and Shape Unification

In this lesson I will talk to you about the tonal value and the importance of this in the realization of a painting. Through a method of observation of great forms, I will teach you why unifying and simplifying our paintings is a fundamental step to improve our work.

Light study

In this lesson I will talk about the previous study and the exercise of observation to be able to build an image. Both in terms of composition and luminosity, the miniature sketch that I will show you in this part is an excellent ally.

3 Layer Method

In this lesson I will teach you the method that I use in most of my watercolor work, I call it the 3 stage method. This method is the main piece of planning a work and through the following demonstration I will share it with you so that you can also apply it.

Stage Lights

In this lesson, I will do the first stage of the watercolor method: the lights.

Shadow Stage

In this lesson, I will do the second stage of the watercolor method: shadows.

Final Details and Adjustments Stage

In this lesson, I will do the last stage of the watercolor method: the details.

Let me show you some of the materials I use when creating a portrait. We’ll look at different types of pencils, erasers, blending tools, and paper. I will show you how these different materials behave and how I use them to create different effects.

Module 6

Learn to draw striking pencil portraits with Sam Brisley as your guide. In this module, you’ll explore the essentials of facial structure, lighting, and shading to create expressive, realistic faces. From proportions to final details, each step helps you better understand the human form. Grab your pencils and get ready to bring your portraits to life!

14 lessons (3h 36m)

Materials

I believe that understanding the behaviour of light is the most important thing any artist must learn. Light allows us to see the world around us, and as artists, we need to understand it properly. In this lesson, I will explain how light interacts with objects, and how we can use light and shading to really bring out facial structures.

Behaviour of Light

Being disciplined when shading tones really separates beginners from more advanced artists. Shadow mapping and organising values is a key skill in producing professional-looking portraits. In this lesson, we will learn to map shadows onto a face using only two values, this way beginning to develop a likeness to our subject. We will then build on the shadow map using five values to bring out the secondary details of the face, and put into practice what we have learned about the behaviour of light.

Limited Value Drawing 1

One thing about drawing is that most of the time, you need to learn how to see as well as learn how to draw - a thing that can be tricky at times. Therefore, let me give you some tips that hopefully will make it easier for you to see the shadow shapes.

Limited Value Drawing 2

17m

Choosing a Reference Image

Now that we’ve learned about the structure of the face and how important light and shadows are to a piece of art, let’s have a look at the do’s and don'ts of selecting a reference image so you can produce a great drawing. Then we’re going to take a moment to study our reference image and think about how to apply what we’ve learned so far.

Lay In Proportions and Structure

In this lesson, you will learn about the basic proportions of the human head. We will learn about the Loomis method and how you can use it to quickly and effectively lay in the proportions.

Let's now have a look at the basic structure of the eyes and nose.

Eyes and Nose

17m

Mouth and Ears

In this lesson, we will have a look at the structure of the mouth and ears.

Let's now start to map shadows on top of the structural lines we already created. Remember, it is important to stick to only two values at this stage—don’t get sucked into shading and details! We will then refine the shadow map and start to get a stronger likeness to the reference image. One of the things to understand about art is that you won’t get things right the first time! The shadow map is an important stage at getting a likeness. It’s a good idea after drawing your shadow map to take a break and come back to it later. Stick with this stage and refine the shadow maps until you are happy and have started to see a likeness.

Shadow Mapping

In this lesson, we will take our two value shadow map and start to introduce more values and shading. We will start to see individual features taking form. But we must be careful to retain the overall shadow pattern created by the facial structure.

Five Value Drawing

We will now start to work on the hair of our portrait. Hair can be tricky, but it is useful to think of it as a structure. In this lesson, we will start to render the hair and introduce some small details.

Hair

Edges

We will now look at establishing different types of edges in our drawings. Edges can be hard, soft, or completely lost. They can be used to help us to define bone and muscle, to create convincing shadows, and to create a focal point in our portrait.

Details and Finishing Touches

We’re getting near the end of our project now and can start to focus on the details to bring the drawing to an end. In this lesson, we’ll re-establish some of our values, and refine the transitions between them. Finally, we can start to pick out finer details.

Sharing Your Work and Continuing Your Studies

Now you will learn how to take good photographs of your portraits to make them look as appealing as possible to a wider audience. I’ll also discuss what you can do to continue improving, as well as some topics that you may find useful for self-study.