Manufacturing
Our charcoal is produced in small, species-separated batches so the natural differences in local woods remain part of the drawing experience.
Our small-batch process
Harvest
Suitable stems and branches are selected and cut by hand from local sources.
Prepare
Wood is sorted by species, cut to useful lengths and diameters, and allowed to dry.
Carbonize
The prepared wood is heated with very limited oxygen so it becomes charcoal without simply burning to ash.
Grade + Pack
Finished sticks are cooled, inspected, grouped by wood type and packed for artists.
Why separate the woods?
Willow, oak, crabapple and other species do not behave exactly the same. Density, grain, diameter and the carbonizing cycle can affect how a stick feels, how easily it blends and how it holds an edge.
Rather than hiding those differences, we make them part of the product. Our goal is to give artists a range of locally made charcoal to test and choose from.
Custom batches
Need a particular wood species, diameter, stick length or experimental batch? We can discuss custom production requests, subject to wood availability and suitability.
Request a Custom Batch