Learn to draw using my techniques, and discover the magic you can create simply with pencil and paper. When properly used, graphite pencils and charcoal pencils can create emotionally powerful black and white drawings.

Jump in and enjoy an artistic journey with me. Whether you are an advanced portrait artist or just beginning, you are sure to take something from the charcoal drawing techniques I explain.

Feel free to totally immerse yourself in my detailed, step-by-step instruction of particular images, or just choose those aspects of drawing people which most interest you.

At learn-to-draw-expressively.com,

• Learn that extra something you need to make your drawings special.


• Learn when and when not to use detail to achieve dramatic results.


• Learn how to draw realistic textures.


• Learn what the contrast of light and shadow does for your drawings.


• Learn how to keep your entire drawing surface interesting.

“Draw” from my experience, then “draw” your own observations.

See the "What's New - Blog" navigation button to find out more, or check out the "Learn to Draw Blog" link below.

In the meantime, enjoy!

Doug Boomhower

Learn to Draw Blog The Learn to Draw Blog keeps you up-to-date with any changes or additions to the learn-to-draw-expressively.com Web site. Subscribe here.

Sitemap for Learn to Draw Expressively.com ... Find It Here! This sitemap displays links to the pages of Learn-to-Draw-Expressively.com for ease of browsing

Learn to Draw Sitesearch Learn to Draw Sitesearch helps you find those drawing techniques and images here.

Expressive Line Drawing Good line drawing is the basis of expressive art. Learn how to put contour and gesture lines into your line art drawings.

Drawing art work with your eye guiding your hand Drawing art work freely and expressively takes practice. Learn how eye-hand co-ordination can help you create lively contour and gesture drawings.

Drawing Realistic Texture When drawing realistic texture in pencil, it doesn't matter if it's a graphite pencil or a charcoal pencil, the principals are the same. Catch these illustrations and create your own textures!

How To Draw People Learning how to draw people is an artistic challenge. Check out these drawing tips on drawing faces and hands, and study these realistic drawings from life!

Drawing Faces Drawing faces is often implied to be more complicated than it really is. Understanding facial proportions helps to ease the challenge.

How To Draw Hair with Pencil or Charcoal Learn how to draw hair with pencil or charcoal using my realistic techniques.

How To Draw Eyes These drawing techniques will help you learn how to draw eyes that capture personality.

How to Draw Hands How to draw hands that display emotion and create interest.

Drawing Clothes Drawing clothes stimulates our tactile senses. Check out these examples.

Drawing Technique Learn about drawing technique in charcoal, pencil, and ink combined with watercolour. These examples may inspire you for your own realistic and dramatic creations.

How to Draw Caricatures Learn how to draw caricatures by capturing, and humourously exaggerating the essence of a person.

A Pencil Pet Portrait A pencil pet portrait can be just as “soulful” as a good portrait of a person. Capture their most revealing characteristics.

The Charcoal Pencil Portrait Artist Charcoal pencil portrait artist, Doug Boomhower ... at work and at play.

Drawing Materials - at a Glance Here are some drawing materials - an artist's toolkit of drawing necessities.