Winsor & Newton Willow Charcoal Sticks, Assorted
Last updated: 5 October 2026
These willow charcoal sticks are Winsor & Newton's artists' charcoal: twelve short sticks in thin, medium and thick widths, made from baked willow. Pressed hard they give a deep black, and a light touch gives soft grey shading that smudges easily with a finger.
On 5 October 2026 the box of 12 was £8.09 on Amazon UK, sold by Amazon.
The Amazon link on this page is an affiliate link. If you buy through it, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What willow charcoal sticks are for
Willow charcoal is the soft, dusty kind used in life drawing classes. It goes down fast, covers big areas quickly and wipes back with a cloth or a putty rubber, so it is good for loose sketches and planning a composition before painting. Winsor & Newton bakes the willow so each stick gives an even line of the same darkness from end to end.
Having three widths in one box helps. The thin sticks do outlines and detail, and the thick ones block in shadows.
Key facts
- Maker: Winsor & Newton
- In the box: 12 willow charcoal sticks, short length
- Widths: an assortment of thin, medium and thick
- Safety: carries the ACMI AP seal for art materials
- Price: £8.09 on Amazon UK
Tips for using it
Use a paper with some tooth, such as cartridge or newsprint, so the charcoal has something to grip. Charcoal smudges long after you finish, so spray the finished drawing with a fixative, or store it between sheets of paper. Have a putty rubber to hand for lifting out highlights.
Limits
Willow charcoal is fragile. Sticks snap if dropped, and the short lengths get shorter quickly. It is also messy: expect black fingers and dust on the table. For fine, hard lines that will not smudge, a compressed charcoal or a charcoal pencil does a better job.
Who it suits
It suits anyone starting a life drawing class, art students, and painters who sketch before they paint. It also makes a cheap add-on to a bigger art present. For more ideas, see our gift guide for artists.
Where to buy
Amazon UK sells the assorted box directly.
See the willow charcoal on Amazon UK
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sticks are in a box?
Twelve, in a mix of thin, medium and thick widths.
How much are Winsor & Newton willow charcoal sticks?
£8.09 for the box of 12 on Amazon UK, checked on 5 October 2026.
What is the difference between willow and compressed charcoal?
Willow charcoal is baked wood, so it is soft, light and easy to rub out. Compressed charcoal is powder pressed with a binder, which makes it darker and harder to erase.
How do you stop charcoal smudging?
Spray the finished drawing with a fixative, or keep it flat between sheets of paper.
Official sources
Prices and stock are correct at the time of the last update and can change.
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