CHARCOAL DRAWING | SORCA O’FARRELL

Taking Bookings

7 Jun

Dates: Sat14th & Sun 15th march 2026
Times: 10am-4pm
Location: Enniskerry
skill Level: all levels

Please see detailed workshop information below

If this course is fully booked or not currently scheduled, go ahead add your name to the waiting list HERE

Payment plans available contact us directly

aBOUT THE WORKSHOP

Discover the expressive possibilities of charcoal in this two-day drawing workshop. Guided by artist Sorca, participants will explore how texture, tone, and mark-making can bring a subject to life in a personal and distinctive way.

Before the workshop begins, you’ll be encouraged to gather simple source material such as quick studies or photographs of a tree or group of trees that has caught your attention. On the first morning, Sorca will introduce her practice and share how the surrounding landscape influences her work, followed by a charcoal demonstration that reveals how layered marks can build depth and atmosphere.

Participants will then create small pen sketches to experiment with composition and contrast, before moving on in the afternoon to begin a larger drawing on heavier paper.

Day Two will start with a short recap and examples of work in progress. The remainder of the morning will be devoted to individual guidance, helping you develop your drawing through layering charcoal, lifting out highlights, and using texture to create space and form. In the afternoon, you will look at the work as a group, share insights, and continue refining individual pieces before closing with a brief review and discussion.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have developed greater confidence with charcoal, gained new techniques, and created a drawing that reflects your own way of seeing.
This course is suitable for all levels.

- How to use charcoal to create expressive textures, tones, and marks
- Ways to develop inspiration from simple observations in the landscape
- How to build a composition using quick pen sketches and value studies
- Techniques for layering charcoal, adding depth, and lifting out highlights
- How to create balance and contrast between light and dark areas
- Approaches to scaling up from small studies to a larger final drawing
- How to use texture to suggest form, space, and atmosphere
- Greater confidence in working with charcoal as a primary medium
- How to evaluate your own work and learn from group discussion and feedback
2 day workshop.
- Charcoal
  - A variety of thicknesses
  - Winsor & Newton is excellent, but other good brands work well too
- Heavy Hot Pressed (HP) paper
  - A few sheets of good-quality HP paper
  - Recommended brands: Fabriano Artistico or Arches
  - Available online and can be delivered from Evans Art Supplies
- Small notebook (A5 or A6)
  - Plus a fine-tip black pen
  - Easily found at Easons, Evans, or most stationery/school-supply shops
- Additional tools
  - Erasers (Staedtler Mars or any available brand)
  - Scalpel knife (if possible)
  - Eraser pen (optional, not essential)
  - A selection of old brushes: both thick and thin
Notes
- Some materials will be provided during the workshop (including eraser pens, brushes, and a scalpel knife), along with sample sheets of different paper surfaces to experiment on.
- An apron is recommended as charcoal can get dusty!