I use quality, archival materials in all of my charcoal drawings so that your investment will last. I begin by mapping out a grid with vine charcoal to lay out the special landmarks that will help me keep the proportions and perspective aligned. I then begin to lightly fill in the dark areas with the vine charcoal which serves as the foundation of the drawing similar to a painter's underpainting. Then begins the dance of making marks with charcoal pencil, smudging those marks with a blending stump, and erasing to create a pleasing contrast and texture. You may have seen other artist draw in such a way that they complete one section of a drawing before moving to another. I do not. I draw as a painter typically paints moving the whole image to completion at the same time. I find this helps to keep unison within the image. When the dance concludes a fixative is applied to preserve the image. I then sign with waterproof ink.