Suilven.....Michael’s challenge.

Wow, Fiona, this really caught my eye. Isn't it an enjoyable technique? I used a soft charcoal pencil and it diluted rather well. Your subject is fantastic, as is the composition, great!

What's all this then? I'll have to go and check...

Looks great me - you really met the challenge in my book Fiona. Give it a go Marjorie .

Thank you Mia, I can’t claim any praise for the subject or the composition but I have sketched this view many times....and in charcoal as it happens years ago. Yes, have a go Marjorie! Very kind Michael, I’ll certainly try a smoother paper if I try again....thank you.

Nice one Fiona. Well done. It's a good strong drawing and those charcoal lines flow nicely. I tried using an old charcoal pencil of mine which because it says H on it I assume that it's hard. I couldn't get the darks or any detail and the result wasn't good! Your willow charcoal is what I had in mind but Mia says she used a soft pencil which I don't have. As for paper I'm not sure which would be best. It's not that easy for me and I know I'm probably just making excuses..lol

Louise, I only have willow charcoal so don’t have the option of a pencil but I think I made the mistake of using a very rough paper. For the darker darks I applied the charcoal on to damp paper, it seemed to soak it up and intensify. I might have another go on smoother paper...perhaps a Keith Vaughan figure sketch! Thank you very much.

I'll have a go tomorrow.

Lovely sketch Fiona, I'm going to have to give the charcoal a go, but like you I only have the willow. That mountain looks huge with the small cottages, and I can definitely see a face there 😁

A beauty Fiona

Nice effects with the willow charcoal.

Linda, Dennis, Annick........thank you very much.

A really great piece of work Fiona!