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Eraser drawing

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An eraser isn't just for erasing! It also allows you to draw in the negative. How it works You are going to open white areas in a grayed-over surface, that is, you are going to erase certain areas down to the white paper, creating areas of light. 

What you need to know

A kneaded eraser is used with unstable media such as charcoal, chalk, and sanguine. The classical rubber eraser is better for graphite leads.

  •  Kneaded erasers but for dabbing the area to be lightened, rather than for rubbing.
  •  Knead it before using it to give it the right shape.
  •  It's easy to clean: knead it until it completely absorbs all the pigment. 

 

1. Drawing in the negative with an eraser

 

You can work in charcoal or graphite.

  • Gray over the entire surface of your sheet of paper using the side of a charcoal stick or a graphite stick. make sure to apply consistent pressure on your tool, to obtain an even background.
  • Make your drawing with the tip of the charcoal or a corner of the graphite stick.
  • Remove the dark material from the light areas with your eraser 

Depending on how much pressure you apply to the eraser, you will obtain lighter or darker areas. 

 

Tip: shape your eraser into a point to work on your details precisely.

 
 

2. Highlighting a shaded area with an eraser

 

  •  Gray in the area you want to shade.

  •  Go around it gently with your eraser.

    Result: you will bring out the contours much more gently than outlining them with a pencil line.

 

3. What kind of eraser should you use?

 

You should definitely test various kinds of erasers: kneaded erasers, classical plastic erasers, rubber erasers and ink erasers. You will obtain a wide range of effects. For example, you can use:

  •  the edge of a kneaded eraser sharpened to a point to lighten borders.
  •  the end (the red part) of an ink eraser to bring out more important surfaces.

Result: you will bring out the contours much more gently than outlining them with a pencil line.

Suggested products

Canson® 1557®
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See also

Drawing: Creating rubbing effects
Astuce Dessin : Créer des effets de frottage
A kitchen grater, the sole of a shoe, a doily… Those everyday objects don't look all that important. But they can add a touch of originality to your drawings! Give your creativity a boost with the rubbing technique, it's as easy as child's play.
DISCOVER [7]

Links
[1] https://www.cansonstudio.com/technique/drawing
[2] //twitter.com/share?url=https://www.cansonstudio.com/print/530&text=Eraser drawing https://www.cansonstudio.com/print/530 via @CansonPaper
[3] https://www.cansonstudio.com/printpdf/530
[4] https://www.cansonstudio.com/print/530
[5] https://www.cansonstudio.com/professional-tips
[6] http://en.canson.com/drawing-sketch/canson-1557
[7] https://www.cansonstudio.com/drawing-creating-rubbing-effects