Set of 12 Charcoal Pencils – Black, White, Sanguine, and Sepia for Sketches and Values
This set of 12 charcoal pencils allows for drawing with values, contrasts, and highlights, with a range designed to work with both shadow and light.
The 6 black pencils are used to establish masses, deepen dark areas, and structure volumes. The 2 white pencils bring back light, especially on tinted paper.
Sanguine and sepia add a warmer tone to the lines, useful for figure studies, portraits, observational sketches, and material exploration.
INFORMATION
This set combines several tones to approach drawing as a construction of light: establishing shadows, opening up volumes, warming certain areas, and then adding highlights at the right moment.
The blacks provide depth. The whites reveal reliefs. Sanguine and sepia add a more organic vibration, less cold than a purely black and white drawing.
The wood-cased format offers a more stable grip than raw charcoal. It allows for working on details, contours, and progressive adjustments without losing the dry, matte feel of charcoal.
CHARACTERISTICS
Content: 12 pencils
Colors: 6 black, 2 white, 2 sanguine, 2 sepia
Length: approximately 17.5 cm
Weight: approximately 7 g per pencil
Lead type: compact charcoal
Recommended surfaces: white or tinted paper, fine or medium grain
USAGE & TECHNIQUES
Start with blacks to establish main masses and shadow areas. Then work on transitions by blending, layering, or light reworks depending on the desired contrast level.
On tinted paper, white pencils allow light to appear without filling the entire surface. Highlights should be measured: a few well-placed dots are often enough to give dimension to the drawing.
Sanguine and sepia can be used to warm up a skin tone, emphasize muscle tension, suggest a texture, or create a softer base before adding blacks.
Charcoal remains a dry medium: fixing the drawing or protecting the page may be necessary if the support needs to be handled, transported, or stored.
PAIR WITH
To strengthen matte blacks and work deep shadows, this set can be paired with
soft charcoal carbon pencils.
For very light highlights, lights, and contrasts on dark paper, you can also check out
white charcoal pencils
or
opaque white pens.
To work on a more contrasted surface, the
black sketchbook with beige paper
allows whites, sepias, and blacks to stand out.
To explore dry color, masses, and layering, you can complement with the
72-color dry pastels
or browse the
Drawing
selection.
🤍 Ikane Workshop Tip
On tinted paper, first lay down shadows and masses, then save white for the end. Used too early, it mixes with the charcoal; applied last, it reveals light with much greater precision.
