bizi...
i haven't read the whole thread
but think outside the box. charcoal smudges....so...smudge it. some of my favorite charcoals have been where that is all i did. smudge...then go back later and add some lines for details. there is a fixative spay. i'll see if i have a can, so i can give yo the name.
even doing a mixed medium. use the charcoal, then ink for details.
oh...art can be messy. hehehe...but finger painting is fun.