Different types of charcoal have different properties to enable artists to produce different effects. Charcoal comes in three grades, hard, medium and soft. The hard charcoal is ideal for creating sharp points and detail as well as light tones. Soft charcoal is capable of making darker tones and is better at shading and creating depth.
Willow charcoal is a favorite among artists and draws a dark black shade. Vine charcoal produces a dark gray shade. Compressed charcoal comes in a variety of shades.
Ordinary erasers do not work as efficiently on charcoal as they do on graphite pencils. Kneaded erasers are a black or gray, soft putty that functions by picking up or absorbing the charcoal rather than wearing it away.
Fixative is usually a spray that you use to fix the charcoal in place to avoid the art being smudged. You can also use ordinary hairspray, as it contains similar properties.
Blending stumps are rolled up soft paper with pointed ends that are ideal for smudging charcoal and creating better tone and depth. They are ideal for blending areas that are too small for your fingers, or areas that require a fine edge.