Drawing charcoal is the oldest drawing material in the world. It can be easily smudged or blended, is easily correctable, and can be painted over repeatedly. The old masters were already fascinated by its bluish hue in strokes. In contrast, the black charcoal appears much darker in strokes. Crushed drawing charcoal, combined with soot and clay, gives the black charcoal its deep black color and allows for differentiation into various degrees of hardness.