The "Charred Journal" series by Morris Louis, created in 1951, stands as a pivotal collection in his oeuvre, marking a significant phase of experimentation before he established the techniques that would define his later works. This series, including pieces like "Charred Journal: Firewritten I," "Charred Journal: Firewritten V," and "Charred Journal: Firewritten II," showcases Louis's exploration of abstract expressionism and hints at the foundational elements of what would later evolve into his renowned Color Field paintings.

"Charred Journal: Firewritten I" is housed in the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, and like its series counterparts, utilizes acrylic resin (Magna) on canvas. This piece, along with others in the series, was part of Louis's early forays into abstraction, exploring the dynamic potentials of color and form​ (Morris Louis)​.

"Charred Journal: Firewritten V" finds its home at The Jewish Museum in New York, further exemplifying Louis's early abstract expressionist style. Each piece in the series is characterized by its application of Magna, allowing Louis to experiment with the fluidity and transparency of color on canvas, a technique that would become more pronounced in his later work​ (Morris Louis)​.

"Charred Journal: Firewritten II," currently in the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, along with the rest of the series, reflects the thematic and stylistic diversity present in Louis's early period. These paintings capture a moment of transition, where Louis was beginning to push the boundaries of traditional painting towards the innovative methods that would later define his contribution to modern art​ (Morris Louis)​.

Throughout the "Charred Journal" series, Louis experimented with form, composition, and the material properties of paint, setting the stage for his later achievements in Color Field painting. While the series may not have the same immediate recognition as his Veil or Unfurled series, it represents a crucial period of experimentation and development in Louis's career, showcasing his evolving understanding of abstraction and the expressive possibilities of paint.