Subtractive Charcoal Still Life Drawing

When I was an art student, my passion was with drawing and using charcoal. This charcoal project of a still life was one I didn't expect to be as fun as it was nor turn out as nice as it did.

The original drawing is on a piece of 24"x36" paper and drawn using a subtractive technique - meaning to start I had to cover the entire canvas with solid charcoal and the drawing of the still life was done by using erasers and smudge sticks.

I want to say that after my original charcoal coating of the canvas that I never used charcoal to go back over it again, but as I was getting to the end I'm pretty sure I re-applied some charcoal to detail or darken spots that had been smudged or lightened in the process. Overall I'm very happy with this piece and it's one of the few that I have framed and proudly display it in my home.