Charcoal Expressions Drawing Art Box

What's in the box: Each monthly kit includes charcoal drawing supplies, a reference image and step-by-step instructions for completing one guided drawing.

Charcoal Expressions is a small US company that sells monthly charcoal drawing kits for people with little or no drawing experience. Each kit has a theme for the month and includes step-by-step instructions, supplies and reference images. The idea is that you finish one complete drawing and make it your own along the way. The company chose charcoal because mistakes are easy to fix: you can soften, blend or rework a mark, so it suits nervous beginners. A subscription costs $34.95 per month. You can also buy individual monthly kits from the store if you'd rather not commit, and past months stay available, which helps if you want to catch up on a theme you missed. The company also runs live drawing events, keeps a gallery of finished work and has a YouTube channel. The site doesn't list exactly which supplies come in each kit, and it doesn't say how many drawings a kit covers or how cancellation works. Shoppers who care about those details should check the subscription terms before signing up. The service sticks to one medium, so anyone hoping to try pencil, ink or color will need to look elsewhere. For a beginner who wants a guided, low-pressure monthly project in charcoal, it is a reasonable choice.