Whether you are drawing to create your next masterpiece or for therapy, several tools are indispensable. These include a good sharpened drawing pencil and an eraser. When it comes to erasers, you have a plethora of choices. You may invest in a regular eraser, an electric eraser, or a kneaded eraser. While you must have heard of the first two entries, you might be bamboozled by the latter. Worry not, for in this article, we will transport you to the world of kneaded rubber erasers.
What Is A Kneaded Eraser
A kneaded rubber eraser unlike a regular eraser is made of grey or white unvulcanized rubber, Since it forgoes the hardening process, it renders the eraser soft and pliable albeit sticky. Since it is reminiscent of putty or chewing gum, it is also referred to as putty rubber. It can pick up charcoal, graphite, chalk, and pastels. Although a typical kneaded eraser comes in white, you may find them in a plethora of colours – pink, green, blue, and more. Seldom, you may even find scented kneaded erasers at your local art supply shop or online.
How To Make A Kneaded Eraser Soft
When you first buy a kneaded rubber eraser, it will be quite hard. Hence, you need to break it in. But how to soften a kneaded eraser? While the process remains similar for almost all brands, the ease of softening them depends on their textures. We find Faber Castell kneaded eraser and Prismacolor kneaded eraser to be the best kneaded eraser brands for beginners. If you still find them hard to manipulate, we advise you to cut them into quarters and then use them.
To soften a kneaded rubber eraser, you must create graphite shavings. Simply sand a drawing pencil and incorporate these shavings into the eraser. Knead it several times till the colour changes and no further pencil residue is seen. Alternatively, you may even use it right away. With each use, it will assuredly become softer.
How To Use A Kneaded Eraser
The reason why artists around the world place their trust in kneaded rubber erasers is that it doesn’t leave eraser crumbs or residue, ensuring longevity. While used, it picks up charcoal and graphite particles which are assimilated into the rubber. Due to their softness, they can be stretched, compressed, and moulded into different shapes. Despite being malleable, they can hold their shape which is quite useful if you decide to create a sculpture. You may use a kneaded rubber eraser not only for erasing but also for subtractive drawing, which helps in creating highlights and details. While they are capable of removing light marks, it doesn’t work well with darker stains.
Kneaded Eraser Use For Highlighting
If you are creating a hyper-realistic portrait, kneaded rubber erasers are undoubtedly the go-to eraser type. Simply mould the eraser to create a fine tip. Using light strokes, move the eraser over the charcoal powder stains, which it will easily pick up. Be careful with the pressure that you put on the eraser, for it may bend quite easily and may hamper your project. If the tip becomes blunt or dirty, fold the eraser and press it into a fine tip. If you desire to lighten the shaded area, simply flatten the eraser. Using the flat side, dab it across the page. You will notice that the value automatically decreases.
How To Clean A Kneaded Eraser
Kneaded rubber erasers do not wear away unlike regular erasers. However, there is a shelf life to them as well. Once you clean the desired area, the particulates stick to it. To reuse it, you simply knead the eraser till it becomes light grey. The particles become one with the eraser, rendering it a darker shade than it was in the beginning. If you use a kneaded eraser regularly, chances are that it will become saturated and unable to absorb more particles. If you try to use a saturated eraser, it will leave more marks on the canvas rather than removing them. This is the time when you buy a new eraser rather than using it yet again.
Best Kneaded Eraser Brands
Now that you know how to use a kneaded eraser, you must be confused about what kneaded eraser to purchase and which would be the perfect fit. Worry not, for we are bringing a list of the best brands. So be on the lookout, for these kneaded eraser prices and quality are unmatched and reign supreme.
Lyra Kneadable Eraser
Graphite, charcoal, and pastel residue can be effortlessly lifted off and removed with the Lyra Kneadable Eraser, a multipurpose cleaning tool. This premium, smudge-proof kneaded eraser is a must for professionals. The product is especially smooth, soft, highly absorbent, pliable, and easy to knead.
Brustro Kneadable Eraser
Because of its soft, powdery consistency, the Brustro Kneadable Eraser is an essential tool for artists working with pastels, charcoals, or graphite powders. For precise work, the kneadable eraser is easily shaped into any shape. It is useful for adding highlights, lighting, and correcting drawings. Without causing any damage to the drawing paper, it absorbs chalk by blotting and wiping the surface.
General Pencil Jumbo Kneaded Eraser
Graphite, charcoal, pastels, and chalk are all easily removed or highlighted with the General Pencil Jumbo Kneaded Eraser. It can be kneaded into any shape. The product, made in the USA, is primarily utilized for decorative painting, crafts, and fine arts. It is available in jumbo and large sizes.
Blick Kneaded Eraser
Blick Kneaded Erasers don’t contain latex or PVC. You may manoeuvre them into myriad shapes, as they are pliable. To create a dotting effect, keep it sharp from both ends. To create bigger highlights keep the surface area humungous. Accurate erasure of pencil, pastel, charcoal, and chalk marks, can be achieved through this perfect product.
Sundae Pops Kneaded Eraser
With the Sundae Pops Kneaded Eraser, you can stretch, knead, smell, and erase! It comes in eight delectable scents: Banana Split, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry Shortcake, Mint Chocolate Chip, Blue Raspberry, Mango Meltdown, and Salted Caramel. Lift the top to reveal the eraser. They don’t leave behind eraser crumbs and can be pulled and twisted like taffy to produce a clean eraser surface. The Sundae Pops Kneaded Eraser is approximately 2.25 inches long.
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