Eyecons Series: How to Create an Elephant Eye Artwork with Charcoal and Pastel – Art-Marco Tutorial

Discover the Eyecons series by artist Marco, starting with an elephant eye inspired by Leopardsong Game Reserve. Learn the charcoal and pastel process

Inspiration from the Leopardsong Game Reserve

Eyecon 1 “Elephant”

What is it about an eye? Some say it's the window to the soul. That's true in part but I now realise there is more to it. Despite the various different physical characteristics of the different vertebrate mammals on our planet, of which the human is one, there is one thing we all have in common - an eye. Actually a pair of eyes. Mammals feed their offspring milk from mammary glands and are warm blooded but due to various other physical features, species within the category are differentiated, But, when it comes to the eye however it rarely differs.

Whenever I am producing a portrait it's the first elements I concentrate upon. If I can't get the eyes right then I can't get the character and personality of the person or animal.

I have decided therefore to produce a series of "Eyecons" these will be artworks focussing on iconic eyes, some human, some animal. They will be mixed media. Charcoal and Pastel and will come in different sizes, either A4 (210 x 297mm) or A3 (297 x 420mm). I might go bigger still though if people want to commission me to produce something of a statement for a feature wall. This first Eyecon, is relatively small, at A3 but framed it will increase to at least 350 x 450mm.

As with all my artworks I like to give people a little bit of background to the creation, The inspiration and the creative development. In the case of "Elephant"this comes from a recent visit to the Leopardsong Game Reserve. Leopardsong is a comfortable and friendly game lodge set in the middle of Pride of Africa within Dinokeng, one of South Africa’s newest “Big Five” Game Reserves. It is situated in the heart of South Africa within an hours drive of Johannesburg international airport and 40 minutes from Pretoria.

We were extremely lucky to be flown to South Africa by British Airways on the A380 a magnificent aircraft which set the tone for what became a truly memorable experience.

Waking up to the roar of lions in the game lodge the morning after our first game drive was truly inspiring and unforgettable.

Leopardsong Game Lodge 2023

Unforgettable Safari Adventure: A Close Encounter with Elephants and the Power of Animal Eyes

Your first game drive is a heart-pounding experience you’ll never forget—especially when you come face-to-face with a majestic elephant! On our thrilling safari, we were fortunate enough to encounter an entire elephant family, up close and personal, in their natural habitat.

One young elephant, though still a “baby” by their standards, displayed jaw-dropping strength, effortlessly toppling a small tree to feast on its roots. It was a raw display of nature’s power! But beyond their massive size and unique anatomy, it was the elephant’s eyes that truly captivated me.

The eyes of animals are a universal bridge—windows to their emotions, intentions, and untamed spirit. Gazing into an elephant’s deep, soulful eyes feels like peering into a well of ancient wisdom and quiet strength. In contrast, locking eyes with a lioness is an electrifying moment, radiating fearless power and untamed confidence. This profound connection inspired me to explore the eyes of every creature we met, giving birth to the concept of “Eyecons”—a celebration of the emotional depth found in the gaze of wildlife.

During our unforgettable stay at Leopardsong, I captured countless stunning photographs of the Big Five—lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo. These breathtaking moments are fuelling my creative journey, and throughout 2024, I’ll be transforming these images into vibrant, evocative artworks that showcase the raw beauty and emotional intensity of Africa’s iconic wildlife.

Your first game drive is probably the one you will never forget. Especially if, as we did, you meet your first elephant up close. In fact we were lucky to meet a whole family.

So my first Eyecon has to be Elephant. The original you have already seen so now comes the more difficult part, creating an artwork that reflects the wisdom and tranquility that radiates from the eye but at the same time gives warning that you are in their space and you are only being tolerated to a point, so I wanted to add a little menace to the finished piece.

The Creative Process: Stage 1 - Eye Development,

Charcoal and pastel artwork of elephant eye from Leopardsong Game Reserve.

I have to be honest I've never produced an artwork which involves the close up image of elephant skin. Whilst it's the eye that for me is the interest and reasonably straight forward, without the skin or hide the artwork would fail. Elephant skin has a texture which is somewhat unique. Incidentally I am using the term "hide" very carefully, as in many countries, it is illegal to sell elephant leather. I therefore prefer to refer to it as skin.

I decided to lay a base layer of fine powdered charcoal and then work from there to develop the tones. and skin texture. Elephant skin has an ochre tint to it so I also added a thin layer of tinted charcoal from the Derwent XL block range. If you are an artist and have not used these before a word of caution, go easy. They put a lot of charcoal down and need a lot of blending once applied. I also laid a layer of white charcoal in certain highlight areas to produce the skin folds.

Stage 2 Skin Texture with Charcoal

Stage2 Elephant Eyecon Skin Development

At the end of Stage 1 I felt that I still had quite a bit of detailing left to do. As yet I was not confident that I had captured the skin texture. I was also not sure about the eye itself, it was a little too bright. So during Stage 3 I worked on toning down the brightness in the eye slightly and experimented with creating the texture and look of the skin..

Stage 3

I'm always better after a nights sleep and reflecting on my frustrations of yesterday I decided that I had to get my fingers dirty if I was going to reflect the skin texture effectively. I hoped that by adding a blend of ochre and XL black charcoals and then blending and dabbing with my fingers the black combination produced the effect I wanted. The XL charcoal when rubbed has a gritty texture, which worked perfectly after a few trials. There is a little more to it but, for those who are interested, please don't hesitate to contact me directly and I will talk you through the process I used. Let me state clearly at this stage that I am not a professional artists. I am self taught and create my art for pleasure. I am delighted that people want to buy my works, it tells me I have attained a standard that has value but I am more than willing to pass on my experiences, good and bad to anyone who is interested and would like to learn. So please contact me or add your comments at the bottom of the blog, I will reply.

Charcoal and pastel artwork of elephant eye from Leopardsong Game Reserve. Art-Marco 2024

Tips from Marco

I have detailed below some helpful tips for you. I use Frisk Paper and Derwent XL Charcoal blocks and Caran D’Ache pastel pencils when creating my Eyecon.

For more information on my techniques see below.

Elephant Eyecon c/w Black Border

Specific Blending Techniques for Derwent Charcoals

Derwent charcoals, particularly the XL Blocks and Tinted Charcoal Pencils, are prized for their soft, chalky texture that lends itself to smooth, expressive blending. These products allow for a range of effects—from bold, gestural marks to subtle gradients—while being naturally water-soluble for added versatility. Below, I’ll outline specific techniques tailored to Derwent’s formulations, drawing from fellow artist tips and product insights. These methods work best on textured papers like pastel or rough watercolor paper, and always fix your work with a spray fixative to preserve blends.

1. Finger Blending for Organic Texture (Ideal for XL Blocks)

•  Why it works: Derwent XL Charcoal Blocks deposit a high volume of soft, powdery pigment that rubs in easily without crumbling, creating a gritty, natural skin-like texture (e.g., for wildlife portraits).

•  Step-by-step:

1.  Apply the block broadly with the side or corner for base tones (e.g., ochre or black shades).

2.  Use the pad of your index finger to dab and rub in circular motions, blending from light to dark areas. Apply light pressure for subtle transitions; heavier for deeper saturation.

3.  For added grit, grate the block into powder first, then rub it in with your fingertip—perfect for the elephant skin textures I created in my Elephany Eyecon.

4.  Wipe excess with a soft cloth to avoid overworking.

•  Tip: Rotate fingers to prevent oil buildup, which can repel pigment. This technique yields a “pool of knowledge” depth in eyes or landscapes.   

•  Best for: Large-scale sketches; avoids tools for a tactile feel.

2. Paper Stump or Tortillon Blending for Precision (Great for Tinted Charcoal Pencils)

•  Why it works: Derwent’s Tinted Charcoal Pencils (e.g., in earthy tones like peat or ocean deep) blend smoothly like traditional charcoal but with subtle color hints, making them erasable and less messy than sticks. If you want to create realistic fur or whiskers always put a white base layer down first.

•  Step-by-step:

1.  Layer pencils in one direction (e.g., light strokes of medium grade, then overlay dark for depth) to build even coverage—avoid super-sharp points for underlayers.

2.  Roll a Derwent Paper Stump (or tortillon) between your fingers and drag it gently along the grain of the paper, following the stroke direction to soften edges.

3.  For finer control, twist the stump while blending to pick up excess pigment, then reverse to push it back in. Work in sections to maintain wet-like transitions.

4.  Layer a complementary tint (e.g., green moss over sepia) and re-blend for atmospheric effects.

•  Tip: Use the Derwent Pastel & Charcoal Pencil Sharpener to maintain pencil tips without crushing the core, ensuring clean application before blending. This prevents streaks and extends erasability with a kneaded eraser. Also when you are blending two colours don’t press too hard until you are happy with the finished colour then use a tortillon.

•  Best for: Detailed work like animal eyes or portraits; combines well with pastel pencils for layered earth tones.

3. Water-Soluble Blending for Washes and Soft Edges (Versatile for Both Blocks and Pencils)

•  Why it works: All Derwent charcoals are naturally water-soluble, turning pigment into inky washes for seamless, diluted blends without losing charcoal’s drama.

•  Step-by-step:

1.  Apply dry pigment liberally (blocks for broad coverage, pencils for controlled lines).

2.  Dip a soft synthetic brush or waterbrush in clean water, then lightly mist or stroke over the area to activate—start dilute for light tints, building to concentrated for depth.

3.  Blend wet edges with a damp rag or sponge for feathery transitions; for even washes, keep the area wet while working to avoid patchiness.

4.  Let dry fully, then lift color with an Artist Eraser for highlights or re-wet for subtractive effects.

•  Tip: For tinted varieties, mix on a palette (e.g., black with ochre) before applying to create custom gradients. Use less water for opaque results; more for translucent veils. This is excellent for atmospheric wildlife scenes.    

•  Best for: Plein air or large abstracts; enhances subtle color in tinted sets.

4. Layering and Subtractive Blending for Depth (Hybrid Technique)

•  Why it works: Derwent’s range (e.g., mixing XL Blocks with pencils) allows systematic layering for rich tones, with easy subtractive control.

•  Step-by-step:

1.  Block in base tones with XL Blocks for coverage.

2.  Overlay with Tinted Pencils in one color at a time (e.g., full piece in sepia, then mars violet), blending each layer with a stump or finger.

3.  Subtract with a kneaded eraser or battery eraser for highlights, then re-blend edges.

4.  For mixed media, layer over pastels and blend lightly to unify.

•  Tip: Work one color/systematically across the piece before advancing to avoid muddying; test on scrap paper as water changes tones dramatically.

•  Best for: Building complex subjects like feathers or fur.

General Advice

•  Tools to pair: Derwent Paper Stumps, Specialist Erasers, or a damp cloth for cleanup. Avoid over-blending to retain texture.

•  Common pitfalls: XL Blocks can be messy—use a protective sheet. Pencils dust like vine charcoal, so blend promptly.

•  Practice prompt: Try an eye study (human or animal) starting with dry finger blending, then add water for glow.

Buy Limited Edition Giclée Prints of the animal Eyecons

Contact Marco Here