Fun with smoky charcoal sticks

Charcoal sticks made by safely heating gathered twigs over an outdoor fire are used to create informal artwork with smoky outlines

SINCE THE DAYS of the caveman, charcoal has been used as a material for artwork as well as for fuel and medicine. It can filter impurities from water, help treat sickness, heat homes, cook barbecue food and act as a pigment in painting and sketching.

There is archaeological evidence of charcoal production approximately 30,000 years ago. Charcoal is mostly pure carbon, called char, made by heating wood in a low-oxygen environment, and burning off volatile compounds, such as water, methane, hydrogen and tar.

Here, young friends have fun outdoors making charcoal sticks for drawing pictures. Adult supervision and care is needed when a fire is lit and to make sure it is properly extinguished after use.

Sticks cut to fit are placed inside the tin. They should be made from fallen twigs or small branches on the woodland or garden floor.

Once removed from the fire, the hole in the top of the tin is plugged by covering it with soil. It is important not to get too close to the fire or hot tin.

The fire under the tin will heat the sticks inside, turning them to charcoal. Fires should not be left unattended.