Imagine a world where the conventional approach to art creation is flipped on its head, where erasers serve as the artist's brushstrokes and the canvas itself starts wholly engulfed in crushed carbon lead. As you delve into this technique, consider how it challenges traditional conventions. The act of ‘uncovering’ rather than ‘covering’ grants a renewed appreciation for the intricacies and subtleties hidden beneath the surface, invoking an intimate dialogue between the artist and the artwork. 

Every journey across the surface with a carbon pencil is a testament to huge amounts of patience and mastery. Precision sown through disciplined practice, the artist curates an engaging narrative rich with mood and context. If you like the much blacker lines they produce, carbon pencils combine the advantages of graphite pencils (sharp lines) and charcoal pencils (rich black lines) without the disadvantage of breakage and excessive smudging. Carbon pencils are usually made of a mixture of clay and lamp black, but are sometimes blended with charcoal or graphite depending on the darkness and manufacturer. They produce a deeper black than graphite pencils, and are smoother than charcoal. So if you are looking for the blackest of blacks in the graphite world, then this is it, Carbon Pencil

 

Understanding the Subtractive Drawing Technique 

The subtractive drawing technique is an art form that engages the artist in a process that might seem somewhat unconventional if you are accustomed to the typical method of building an image by layering material onto a surface. Instead of adding graphite, charcoal, or ink to paper, subtractive drawing begins with a Hard surface, I recommend a baked artist illustration board such as Bainbridge, I only use these boards for carbon only...Why? it can take a good amount of pressure when applying the graphite powder which involves the skillful amount of layering till you get the desired tone needed. You NEED to crush the pencil to retrieve the lead and pulverize the lead till it is a very fine powder. Notice I mentioned Very Fine Powder.....If it isn't then the pieces of lead that isn't crushed will leave undesirable lines or marks all over the board. In my first illustration you can see the tool I use for this process. You Next need a cotton ball dip it into the powder and in circle form start rubbing the cotton ball on the board..Again this is down in a circular manner. It will take several times to get the board very dark. If you have a rubber glove on you can use your finger to rub the carbon into the board much faster yet you still need the cotton ball to get the circular pattern worked into the board....How do you know if you are finished? You cannot see a single grey or lighter piece, it has to be BLACK

Mind you once you have completed this step The Fun Begins

How do I draw my Picture on this Carbon infused board? You should have a white pencil, silver pencil, white charcoal pencil, any of these will help in drawing on the board. Do not press hard you don't want the pencil lines to appear, pressing hard will put a groove in the board....you can also use a regular drawing pencil with a soft lead to outline your drawing (highly Recommend)see the 2nd an 3 illustration.

Start removing the carbon Highly recommend starting from the top. cover any part you will rest your arm or will continue to rub, it will get the carbon on everything.  

What do I use to remove big areas of carbon.....Believe it or not if you have a strip of leather, notice the large areas that are lighter, it was done with a 2 inch by 12 inch strip of leather. Slowly remove the areas that are going to be very light void of and lead (shown in Pic) What is next

Consider this, this approach can be likened to carving away at a block of stone to reveal a hidden sculpture within, although here we engage with a flat surface rather than a three-dimensional one. By using this technique, artists create striking images that capture depth and nuance through light and shadow, skillfully manipulating the contrast to breathe life into their work. With the subtractive carbon pencil method, a high level of precision and control over the materials is essential, as the pressure and angle applied in erasing can dramatically alter the image's final appearance. 

What kind of eraser do I use? Various types of erasers are utilized, including kneaded erasers known for their pliability and ability to mold into precise shapes for meticulous detailing. I highly recommend an Electric Eraser, as well as little adjustable erasers that come in a pen form Must haves. These tools, combined with carbon pencils, enable the artist to achieve gradients and textures that deliver a photorealistic quality. 

Consider this method a task of working ‘backwards’ compared to traditional drawing techniques. The creator starts with a dark, even tone laid by the carbon pencil, then meticulously erases sections to reveal lighter values, effectively working from dark to light. This reverse methodology requires a shift in perspective and precision in handling materials, as each stroke of the eraser must be deliberate and considered. As light areas are ‘carved’ out from the darkened surface, the interplay between what is removed and what remains creates the compelling imagery distinctive to this form of art.

What's next: Work on every line till you think its done... Once you have reached this step....go back and rework areas again, and again, and again, and again till it looks like the photo you are drawing from. Once you have reached this point ask someone to give you a professional opinion. Someone who doesn't feel committed to tell you its great. You need a real critique. Don't get emotional when told to fix this or that, sometimes when doing this style of work that you are looking at the same surface for days, weeks, even months you get eye blind sometimes. Another great trick is look at the piece in the mirror.

Any Dark Areas: Like the pupils in the eyes, the Hair, Certain areas in the background , or something in the dress. To darken use your carbon pencil to color these areas. Also to slightly work on the outlines of anything very light bordering the black background use your carbon pencil to clean up these areas

 

The Role of Tonal Values in Black and White Art 

The concept of tonal values in art is vital, especially in black and white drawing, where color doesn't exist to delineate objects or forms. Mastering these values in subtractive techniques is akin to learning a complex musical instrument, where each note must be perfect to achieve harmony. By carefully erasing areas of the carbon-smudged paper, an artist reveals varying degrees of lightness that offer depth and dimension, transforming a flat surface into a convincing illusion of a three-dimensional world. Each gradient, from pure black to stark white, has a purpose—creating mood, drawing attention, or providing striking contrast. When executed proficiently, this method results in captivating images that envelope you in their narrative. 

Additionally, Techniques like hatching, stippling, or cross-hatching are not needed here, as the subtleties of erasing allow for continuous transitions between light and dark. This is where your skill comes into play, logging countless hours, earning your facility with focusing kinetic energy to relieve pressure precisely where it is most effective, revealing light deliberately from the depths of darkness. It necessitates a keen eye for detail and the steady hand of an artisan. An artist's true acumen lies in achieving such smooth transitions organically, imbuing every piece with an authenticity that speaks its own indisputable language—one that resonates within the viewer’s core. 

Special Technique's if you erase an area too much use a buffer stick and redarken the area then re-erase the area again