#114 MASTER CLASS — DRAWING WITH CHARCOAL, GRAPHITE, AND INK
In this powerful Master Class, Coach Kate Rhodes reveals how charcoal, graphite, and ink can shift the way you see, move, and draw. Through bold mark-making, layering, cross-hatching, ink washes, and mixed-media exploration, you’ll rediscover depth, movement, and confidence in your drawings. With simple materials and spacious guidance, this class is ideal for beginners and seasoned painters alike, an invitation to loosen your grip, trust your hand, and draw with renewed energy and freedom.
WATCH THE MASTER CLASS RECORDING
Jump to a section:
Click the chapter icon (the bulleted list inside the video player) to see and select any part of the video.
Chapters and timestamps are also listed below for quick reference.
- Opening: Drawing, Value, and Materials: 00:00
- Charcoal: Value, Range, and Form: 01:45
- Graphite: Control and Sensitivity: 16:30
- Ink: Fluidity and Expression: 30:45
- The Masters: Drawing Traditions and Influence: 45:30
- Closing: Confidence, Practice, and Joy: 49:45
*Please note that guest presenters are not necessarily Academy members available for commenting.
Thank you Kate for this inspiring masterclass. It comes at just the right time. I will explore more with lines and marks in black and white. I am drawn to gestural abstraction and textures in nature.
So good, and please bring your explorations to the either the studio or facebook group to show me Dagmar
Great class! Thank you for the inspiration —I’m anxious to try some of your techniques. Question: what type of paper or substrate do you use most often?
Hi Kathy – I like a minimum of 140 gsm/ 4oz in sketch books and for sheets of white cartridge paper, and this is more than adequate – especially if using dry drawing materials or slightly wet – I also but I buy reams of paper in – 200gsm/ 6oz and 300 gsm approx 9 oz but this is more for painting on paper or very wet inky, mixed medium drawings…
Such a wonderful class, Thank you! It brought me back to my years in art school a hundred years ago it seems. We did so many charcoal paintings as studies weekly and I loved using it. You’ve got me excited and reminded me how great it is.
Kate! What an exciting master class — I agree with Martha, it’s one of the best offered. We can feel your passion for drawing as you share. Drawing has been a long passion of mine, and regrettably, have done less drawing than painting in the past few years, and I felt that loss in my soul! You have inspired me. I have all of the materials you have shared, pretty much, so I am going to get to it today. Thank you1
This is such good news Laurie – It now feels like I am on a “Save Drawing” mission!!
I love this masterclass, Kate. I’m excited to explore the excellent techniques you shared. I do have the box of 3 charcoal, graphite and white, which I have not used. They only been in my art stash for years.
I thourghly enjoyed this. I usuall dive straight in with paint.
This has encourged me to start a sketchbook for black and white using all the materials you have shown us. feel very motivated.
Thank you.
Excellent Gill – you can never have too many sketchbooks on the go!
Kate this was fabulous. There is a wealth of information mixed with your talent in drawing and knowledge of the media. I also am inspired. .
Thanks for an inspiring masterclass. I am excited to get back to drawing, you explained all the different mediums you use so clearly.
For “blind” contour practice, you can also create a bridge between your line of sight and your hand, so that you can’t look down and see what your hand is doing. With practice you learn to coordinate your hand with your eyes. It really works!
Wonderful class, Kate! I’ve been thinking of figurative drawing lately, and this is just what I needed! Thank you.
Wow. A superb class, dense with information and examples. I am inspired!