Coates

Coates Willow Charcoal is the best charcoal worldwide. This essential drawing material for fine artists and students was developed in the 1960’s by Percy Coate the grandson of Robert Coate who had established a business as a “withy merchant” buying and selling local willow crops in 1819. Traditionally willow was used for basket making which became unfashionable with the introduction of plastic goods in the 1950’s. To safeguard the family willow growing business, the Coates had to find a new use for the willow. Coates remains a family business and is still based in Stoke St Gregory, Somerset, where willow has been grown commercially since the 1800’s. Percy Coates began looking at the possibility of a willow charcoal in the 1960’s and by the 1970’s Coates Willow Charcoal was ready for the art supplies market. Willow grows extremely quickly producing a very soft wood which is why it produces the soft charcoal we know and love. The process of turning the raw willow into drawing charcoal takes just 3 days.

Pullingers stock Coates Willow Charcoal in boxes of assorted half sticks, thin, medium, thick, extra thick and the jumbo tree stick. Coates Willow Charcoal is a superior vine charcoal with a very smooth texture. It is used and loved by artists and students for life drawing and sketching.