Artists' Willow Charcoal, Assorted, Box of 12 | Rich Willow Charcoal, Consistent Intensity, Carefully Baked, Create Darkest Black or Smokey Shades

Its nice vine charcoal, works well, about as durable as id hope for willow. Came packaged enough to not come in pieces, and the variety of size is nice. Maybe a-few sticks short for the price but all in all I'm not mad at the quantity. Id fear a full canvas piece using these though, it goes fast.

I had some confusion at first about how to use these; I kept trying to create finished drawings and they turn to dust that blows away and smears.. BUT, now I know to use them for sketching out the initial layout underneath compressed charcoal (or anything else), and the powder wipes away so easily that drawing and refining is SO much easier than with any other medium. I use them for just about everything now (charcoal portraits, Conte stuff, paintings, etc.), but only as a First Step....they break apart very easily but are sturdy enough to be used like a pencil, OR just a "chunk". I didn't like them for a long time because they aren't great for permanent drawings, but that's the whole point; you can work out the entire drawing first and wipe it away as you go, and it leaves just enough of a trace to follow...they are now a part of my "process" for virtually any type of artwork I might create..

Excellent choice of thicknesses. Perfect for quick sketches.

It goes on smooth, but easy to brake

The packaging wa really good. It arrived earlier than expected and the brand itself is notable. I just realized it is quite expensive given the amount of sticks inside. BUT, they are very uniform and sturdy. The box was protective and the sticks are not crushed. This is an amaing find!!!

These are the only charcoal products I use. Easy to blend.

Exactly as advertised and exactly what I wanted.

they are what they are