What's the Best Eraser? (my opinion)

by Visiting author: Karla Mata
(USA)

Most people don't realize this but there are different erasure qualities to erasers. Even though Pink Pearl® is chosen as the average eraser, perfect for school, the Hi-polymer Pentel® eraser is far more useful for artists. But after that what is best then? I'm stuck between choosing art gum or Magic Rub®.

The reason the Hi-polymer eraser is far greater than the Pink Pearl® is in it's ability to erase without damaging the paper. The Hi-polymer eraser doesn't agitate the paper. and leaves it smooth, unlike the Pink Pearl®. And of course the Hi-polymer Pentel® eraser completely erases pencil lines much better than the Pink Pearl®. In my opinion, next to the Pentel®, the best erasers would have to be the art gum and Magic Rub®.

Art gum and Magic Rub® don't agitate the paper. They leave the paper undamaged... that is if you use normal printing paper (also known as copy paper). Therefore I have come to the conclusion that I'm stuck between Magic Rub® and art gum.

Written by Karla Mata

Creating Depth in Hair

One of the types of erasers I use is a kneaded eraser. As I draw hair I use the kneaded eraser to tap out some of the graphite which creates the illusion of the hair receding deeper into the background. I then add more graphite on top to push-out some hair towards the viewer. I do this several times until I have several layers creating the illusion of depth.