umatted, unframed
charcoal and carbon dust on Stonehenge printmaking paper
Image size: 5.375 x 6.375 inches
Paper size: 9.5 x 12.75 inches
I learned how to use carbon dust in graduate school. It’s literally just powdered charcoal, applied with a range of natural-bristle brushes. This medium can look quite different depending on the substrate and can be difficult to control. A highly ornamented conch shell was a fun subject that offered many variations in textures and values, and it was an additional challenge to render the background grays in such a way that the form of the shell stood out. I used a charcoal pencil for fine lines and details.