Joseph's shiny new sketchbook

[JosephCow]

I'm trying to lose the overly grainy look to my drawings, but I don't think i'm there yet.

I think it's just the medium, you have very clear edges but if you wanted a sharper, smoother look I think it's your paper. The texture is noticeable on the edges where I can see the charcoal skipping over it, and it's pretty consistent. What paper are you using? You may want to try a hot pressed paper.

 Thanks, and yeah I think you're kinda right. It's Strathmore charcoal paper, 300 series. Not sure on the other specs or anything. I'd like to try a smoother paper because it is annoying to fight those lines all the time. But the tooth is important to some extent to hold the charcoal I think.  I guess I don't mind it that much, it's probably just not intended to do super tight finish on, which normally I don't care about anyway.

I think part of it is also how I am in the habit of applying charcoal, using hatching lines with a pencil, and this creates a grainy effect as well. I'm trying some other techniques in the one I'm working on now, so we'll see if it makes a difference. LMK if you know of a brand of paper to try.