It all started with a mad idea

Josh Hernandez, a charcoal artist known for his bold, expressive work, had an obsession with perfecting the tools of his craft. His longtime friend Eric Dyer—an analytical thinker with a head for strategy and systems—saw the potential to turn that passion into something much bigger. Together, two friends from Phoenix, Arizona set out to build something artists had been waiting for: the best charcoal and the coolest, most thoughtfully designed drawing materials out there.

What started as a wild idea between two friends became Mad Art Materials—a brand committed to giving artists tools that meet their creativity with equal intensity and precision.

Every product in the MAD lineup is developed and tested by Josh himself, refined through countless hours in the studio. Behind the scenes, Eric brings structure, strategy, and an unwavering focus on quality and innovation—ensuring every detail is as intentional as the art it's used to create.

At MAD, we believe artists deserve materials that work as hard as they do. Our products are minimalist, powerful, and built to inspire—from first sketch to final masterpiece.

This isn’t just charcoal.
It’s a mad idea—born in Phoenix and built to fuel artists everywhere.