Sketch This Ballerina with a Charcoal Pencil

Follow along with me as we sketch a ballerina with a couple of charcoal pencils on toned paper.

See beneath the video for a materials list and to download the reference photos.

Materials You'll Need

• Charcoal pencils: I used a blister pack from Derwent, which contained a white, dark, medium and light charcoal pencil. You can get away with just a dark charcoal pencil and a white charcoal pencil.
• (Optional) Piece of willow or compressed charcoal: This just makes it easier to fill in larger dark areas but really isn't needed.
• Toned paper: Ideally grey but tan or any other mid-tone will work. I used a pad from Strathmore, which was a little larger than A4 / American Letter size (about 9" x 12").
• Kneadable eraser.
• Craft knife and sanding block for sharpening.

Reference Photos

• Download colour reference
• Download black & white reference
• Download my finished sketch