Best Drawing Charcoals of 2025

Corey Phillips Avatar
Corey Phillips
Last Updated: 4 Feb 2025

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Drawing charcoals are a versatile and popular medium among artists of all levels. They are made of compressed charcoal and come in various forms such as sticks, pencils, and powder. Charcoals are known for their rich black colour and ability to create dramatic and expressive marks on paper. They are ideal for creating sketches, shading, and creating texture. Charcoals are also easy to blend and smudge, making them perfect for creating soft and subtle tones. Whether you are a professional artist or just starting out, drawing charcoals are a must-have in any art kit.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Coates Willow Charcoal Assorted Pack of 30 Cover #TOP 1
Coates Willow Charcoal Assorted Pack of 30
ftb score rating icon 9.9
PaulStore 12 Assorted Charcoal Drawing Sticks Cover #TOP 2
PaulStore 12 Assorted Charcoal Drawing Sticks
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Winsor & Newton Thick Willow Charcoal Sticks Cover #TOP 3
Winsor & Newton Thick Willow Charcoal Sticks
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Drawing Charcoals

#TOP 1

Coates Willow Charcoal Assorted Pack of 30

1004
Black
Coates Willow Charcoal Assorted Pack of 30 Cover
Coates Willow Charcoal Assorted 30 Pieces

The Coates Willow Charcoal offers high-quality drawing charcoals, grown in the picturesque Southwest of England. Each stick is crafted from selected willow rods, ensuring that you receive only the best materials for your artwork. The non-compressed design allows for a smooth application, giving you greater control over your strokes. The package includes 30 assorted sticks, providing you with a variety of options for your creative projects, making it convenient for both beginners and experienced artists alike.

What We Like
High-quality willow charcoal
Non-compressed for smooth application
30 assorted sticks included
Ideal for all skill levels
#TOP 2

PaulStore 12 Assorted Charcoal Drawing Sticks

Willow Charcoal
1 count (Pack of 1)
PaulStore 12 Assorted Charcoal Drawing Sticks Cover
PaulStore 12 Assorted Willow Charcoal Sketch Drawing Natural Charcoal Sticks Drawing

The PaulStore Charcoal Sticks are crafted from high-quality wild charcoal, perfect for both beginners and experienced artists. Their unique soft and velvety texture allows you to create smooth, glossy lines, enhancing your drawing experience. Whether you are working on still life, loose sketches, or fine art, these charcoal sticks provide consistent results that elevate your artwork. They also make an excellent gift for artists, ensuring they have the best materials to express their creativity.

What We Like
High-quality soft grade charcoal
Grit-free, glossy lines
Ideal for various drawing styles
Light and easy to use
Great gift for artists

Winsor & Newton Thick Willow Charcoal Sticks

7005171
Pack of 3
3 count (Pack of 1)
Winsor & Newton Thick Willow Charcoal Sticks Cover
Winsor & Newton 3 x Thick Charcoal Sticks, Willow, Pack of 3, 3 Count (Pack of 1)

The Winsor & Newton Charcoal Sticks are made from high-quality willow wood and offer a rich jet black finish. As artist-quality charcoal, they are easy to smudge and remove, allowing you to create soft transitions in your artwork effortlessly. You will appreciate how the paint smear remains consistent, making it simple to blend and manipulate with your fingers. To preserve your creations, it is essential to use a fixative, and Winsor & Newton offers a recommended option for this purpose.

What We Like
High-quality willow wood
Easy to smudge and remove
Consistent paint smear
Recommended fixative available
#TOP 4

Royal & Langnickel Charcoal Drawing Set

241686
Grey
1 count (Pack of 1)
Royal & Langnickel Charcoal Drawing Set Cover
Royal & Langnickel Charcoal Drawing Art Set,Grey

The Royal & Langnickel Drawing Set is perfect for artists of all levels, whether you're just starting out or already a professional. Its sleek design not only looks appealing but also makes it easy to transport. This set combines convenience and portability, allowing you to take your creativity anywhere. With a range of essential tools included, you can experiment freely and develop your unique artistic style, making this set an excellent choice for endless creation.

What We Like
Suitable for all skill levels
Sleek and portable design
Includes essential drawing tools
Encourages creativity and experimentation
#TOP 5

12-Piece Compressed Charcoal Drawing Sticks Set

12Graphite
Black
12-Piece Compressed Charcoal Drawing Sticks Set Cover
12 Pieces Graphite Material Sticks Square Compressed Charcoal Sticks Drawing Pencils Set for DIY Drawing Crafts, Sketching, Shading, Beginners and Artists

The SZCXDKJ Charcoal Sticks set includes 12 high-quality compressed graphite charcoal bars, perfect for both beginners and experienced artists. You can easily cover large areas or make detailed adjustments in your artwork. The smooth texture and good toughness of the charcoal make it comfortable to hold and easy to use. Suitable for various painting styles, including sketching and oil painting, this set allows you to quickly express your creativity. Additionally, you can vary the pressure to achieve different colour tones, enhancing your artistic expression.

What We Like
High-quality materials
Versatile for various techniques
Easy to use for beginners
Comfortable grip
Excellent for detailed work
#TOP 6

Winsor & Newton Willow Charcoal Sticks, 24 Count

7005176
Grey
Winsor & Newton Willow Charcoal Sticks, 24 Count Cover
Winsor & Newton Willow Charcoal Thin Sticks, Grey, 24 Count (Pack of 1)

The Winsor & Newton Charcoal Sticks offer high-quality drawing charcoal specially prepared for artists. The grey colour provides a versatile option for various artistic styles. With correctly baked wood, these sticks ensure an even line of consistent intensity, allowing you to create smooth, precise drawings. This attention to detail enhances your control over shading and texture, making your artwork more refined. Whether you're sketching or working on detailed illustrations, these charcoal sticks will meet your artistic needs.

What We Like
High-quality for artists
Even line consistency
Versatile grey colour
Enhances shading control
Easy to use
#TOP 7

Zieler® Artists Charcoal Drawing Set - 24 Pieces

09299538
Multicolor
1 count (Pack of 1)
Zieler® Artists Charcoal Drawing Set - 24 Pieces Cover
Zieler® - Artists Charcoal Drawing Set | 24-piece Gift Tin Set | The Ideal Starter Set!

The Zieler® Charcoal Drawing Set includes essential tools for artists, featuring six compressed charcoal sticks in soft, medium, and hard varieties. These are perfect for creating a range of tones and textures in your drawings. You also receive four vine charcoal sticks, which allow for quick and light-handed sketches. Additionally, the set includes three pencil-shaped compressed charcoal sticks, offering a more precise application. To enhance your blending techniques, three blending stumps are included, ensuring smooth transitions in your artwork.

What We Like
Comprehensive starter set
Portable gift tin included
Variety of charcoal types
Ideal for blending techniques
Perfect for beginners
#TOP 8

Amazon Basics 17-Piece Sketch and Drawing Set

Amazon Basics
SD-17
Charcoal
1 count (Pack of 1)
Amazon Basics 17-Piece Sketch and Drawing Set Cover
Amazon Basics Sketch and Drawing Pencil Set, 17 Pieces, Charcoal

The Amazon Basics Sketch Set is a comprehensive drawing kit suitable for artists of all skill levels. It includes a variety of pencils, sketch and charcoal sticks, erasers, and sharpeners, allowing you to create dynamic works of art or simply sketch out your ideas. This kit is perfect for those who want to experiment with different drawing techniques. With artist-grade quality at an affordable price, you can enjoy the convenience of having all the tools you need in one set.

What We Like
All-in-one drawing kit
Variety of drawing tools
Ideal for all skill levels
Affordable artist-grade quality
#TOP 9

12 Pieces Compressed Charcoal Drawing Set

C-6SMB
Gray
12 Pieces Compressed Charcoal Drawing Set Cover
12 Pieces Graphite Material Sticks Square Compressed Charcoal Sticks Drawing Pencils Set for DIY Drawing Crafts, Sketching, Shading, Beginners and Artists

The SZCXDKJ Charcoal Set includes 12 high-quality compressed graphite sticks that are comfortable to hold and smooth to use. This set allows you to create various colour tones by adjusting the pressure applied on the paper, making it versatile for different artistic styles. You can also change the thickness of the stick by rubbing it against the paper, enhancing your drawing techniques. Ideal for beginners, this product lays a solid foundation for painting while also catering to experienced artists looking to produce unique visual effects.

What We Like
High-quality materials
Versatile for various techniques
Easy to control pressure
Suitable for beginners and professionals
Good toughness and durability
#TOP 10

MONT MARTE Charcoal Pencils Set - 3 Pieces

Black
3 count (Pack of 1)
MONT MARTE Charcoal Pencils Set - 3 Pieces Cover
MONT MARTE Charcoal Pencils Set - 3 pieces - Black Charcoal with different degrees of hardness - Ideal Charcoal Pencils for impressive drawings

The MONT MARTE Charcoal Set includes three pencils with varying degrees of hardness, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced artists. You can create impressive drawings with soft, medium, and hard pencils for detailed sketches and shading. The high-quality charcoal ensures a smooth drawing experience, while the comfortable grip allows for maximum control over your artwork. With these versatile tools, you can achieve a range of textures and effects, enhancing the expressiveness of your creations.

What We Like
Variety of hardness options
Comfortable grip for control
High-quality charcoal material
Ideal for detailed and expressive art
Versatile for different drawing techniques
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the 6 drawing media?

Topics include: pencils and colored pencils; charcoal, chalk, pastels, crayons and oil pastels; markers; inspiration, papers and sketchbooks.

2. What is charcoal used for in drawing?

Charcoal is a matte dark drawing material that crumbles easily and is often used for expressive marks.

Editor's Notes

During our drawing charcoal research, we found 204 drawing charcoal products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 149,307 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 £6.52.

The drawing charcoals are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of drawing charcoals, including Speedball, PaulStore, Winsor & Newton, Royal & Langnickel, SZCXDKJ. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 570 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Corey Phillips Avatar

Corey Philips is an electrician and lighting expert. He graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering. Corey is a specialist contractor in lights. He sells and installs and recommends lights and lamp sheds, and other lights accessories. Aside from that, Corey is vast in installing and maintaining electrical appliances like air conditioners, water heaters, and the likes.