Best Drawing Charcoals of 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Drawing charcoals are a versatile and popular medium for artists of all skill levels. These sticks of compressed charcoal are made from a mixture of powdered charcoal and a binding agent, which allows them to be shaped into a variety of sizes and shapes. With their rich, dark tones and ability to smudge and blend, drawing charcoals are ideal for creating dramatic, expressive drawings and sketches. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper, canvas, and even wood, and are perfect for creating both detailed, realistic drawings and bold, abstract compositions. Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, drawing charcoals are a must-have tool for your art kit.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Drawing Charcoals
KALOUR 24 Pro Charcoal Drawing Set
KALOUR Charcoal Set is a complete artist's kit that includes 21 compressed charcoal sticks and 3 pastel sticks. The diverse charcoal hardness levels - hard, medium, and soft sticks - allow you to create a wide range of shading effects effortlessly. The elegant pastel sticks in gray and white add softness and versatility to your artwork. The thoughtful packaging ensures your charcoal sticks are well-protected, making it a great gift for artists and art enthusiasts.
General Pencil Compressed Charcoal Sticks
General Pencil Compressed Charcoal Sticks are a brand new, unopened set of 4 black, soft assorted sticks. Perfect for drawing and shading, these sticks are ideal for artists of all levels. Specifically designed for use with drawing charcoals, these sticks are a must-have for any artist's toolkit.
Winsor & Newton Artist Vine Charcoal Sticks
Winsor & Newton Charcoal Sticks are artist-grade soft charcoal sticks, carefully selected for uniformity. The wood is baked precisely to ensure consistent intensity in your drawings. These soft dark grey charcoal sticks are perfect for large-scale projects or filling in details. Being made in the US, they guarantee quality and reliability for your artwork.
PANDAFLY Compressed Charcoal Sticks, 12 Pieces
The PANDAFLY Charcoal Sticks Set offers a perfect selection of soft, medium, and hard compressed charcoal sticks, catering to various artistic needs. These sticks are ideal for sketching, oil painting, and watercolor painting, providing different brushstroke effects. Made from natural materials, they are non-toxic and eco-friendly, perfect for quick sketching and life drawing. The smooth and blendable texture of these charcoal sticks, fired at high temperatures, ensures easy coloring and durability, creating velvety surfaces on your artwork.
XHBTS Vine Charcoal Sticks and Pencils Set
The XHBTS Vine Charcoal set includes 25 high-quality charcoal sticks and pencils for drawing, sketching, and fine art. The set is perfect for oil painting, sketch painting, and design. The charcoal pencils have a strong color and vivid gypsum texture, making your work look like a sense of space and rich details in the dark. The set comes in a hard box packaging to protect the charcoal pens and is ideal for outdoor sketching and indoor use. It's an excellent gift idea for artists of all levels.
MyLifeUNIT Vine Charcoal Sticks for Drawing, Pack of 25
MyLifeUNIT Vine Charcoal Sticks are perfect for oil painting, sketch painting, and design. They offer different brushstroke effects and are extremely expressive. The premium stalks are fired at high temperature, making them smooth to touch, easy to color, and not easy to break. These charcoal sticks can be painted, wiped, and treated as a line or block, making it easy to make tonal changes. The drawing charcoal pencils have a strong color and can better express the picture effects required for painting. The pack measures 155 mm x 55 mm x 55 mm, making it a great gift choice for family, friends, and classmates.
Aenir Charcoal Drawing Set
The Aenir Charcoal Kit is a comprehensive drawing set designed for artists of all skill levels. It includes a variety of charcoal pencils, allowing you to achieve different textures and shading effects. This all-in-one kit provides you with essential tools for sketching and blending, making it easy to enhance your artistic skills. With a range of hardness levels, you can create detailed artwork or broad strokes effortlessly. Plus, the included erasers and sharpeners ensure you have everything you need for clean and precise adjustments. This set truly supports your creative journey.
Peel & Sketch Charcoal Pencils
The General Pencil Charcoal Pencils are a versatile set of drawing charcoals that come with 1 soft, 1 medium, and 1 hard pencil, along with a kneaded eraser. With these pencils, you won't have to worry about sharpening them as they can be easily unwrapped by pulling the string, revealing more charcoal to use. This feature makes it convenient for artists to quickly switch between different charcoal intensities while working on their sketches or drawings. Additionally, the included kneaded eraser allows for easy erasing and smudging, giving you more control over your artwork. Made in the USA, these charcoal pencils are a reliable choice for artists of all skill levels.
MARTCOLOR 19-Piece Charcoal Drawing Set
The MARTCOLOR Charcoal Drawing Set offers everything you need for your artistic endeavors. With 10 black charcoal pencils of varying hardness, you can achieve different shades and textures easily. The two white charcoal pencils are perfect for adding highlights and blending, enhancing your drawings significantly. You’ll appreciate the quality of these non-toxic pencils, which are smooth and resistant to breakage, making them easy to sharpen. This set also includes blending stumps and erasers, providing you with the tools to create detailed sketches and artwork effortlessly.
Raven Powders Premium Charcoal Powder
Raven Powders Premium Charcoal Powder is a high-quality drawing charcoal that creates wonderful depth and works quickly. The soft, smooth textured extra fine powder won't scratch paper and can be blended quickly using blending stumps, fingers, brushes, and paper towels. It erases easily to allow for defined lines and fewer smudges, making it convenient for artists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the 3 basic types of drawing charcoal?
The three basic types of drawing charcoal are powdered, compressed, and willow or vine charcoal. Powdered charcoal is the most basic type and is often used for toning large areas. Compressed charcoal is made from powdered charcoal and is more convenient to use. Willow or vine charcoal is a softer type and is well-suited for creating expressive and delicate lines.
2. Is charcoal drawing easy?
Charcoal drawing can be easier compared to other drawing mediums. It allows for easy blending, creating smooth transitions and smoky effects. Tools like tortillions, chamois, blending tools, or soft brushes can be used for blending. However, it's important to use an extra soft brush when using a brush for blending with charcoal.
3. Do you need special paper for charcoal drawing?
To achieve the best results with charcoal drawing, it is recommended to use rough and heavily textured paper, such as pastel boards. These types of papers allow the charcoal to adhere well and prevent the pigment from being pulled off. Smooth drawing papers can be used as well, but they may leave marks when erasing.
4. Do you start with hard or soft charcoal?
There are no strict rules when it comes to using charcoal for drawing. Some artists prefer to use a single hardness grade throughout their drawing, while others use a combination of different grades. It is recommended for beginners to experiment with each hardness grade, both individually and in combination, to find their personal preference and achieve the desired effects in their charcoal drawings.
During our drawing charcoal research, we found 24 drawing charcoal products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 15,462 customer reviews through our big data system to write the drawing charcoals list. We found that most customers choose drawing charcoals with an average price of $8.12.
The drawing charcoals are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of drawing charcoals, including KALOUR, GENERAL'S, Winsor & Newton, PANDAFLY, XHBTS. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,120 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.