Erasers Aren't Just for Removing Mistakes

In response to the tip on cleaning an eraser, artist Jon Rader Jarvis sent in tips on why not to clean an eraser, saying "Erasers aren't just for removing mistakes. A dirty eraser is an excellent blending, smearing and mark-making tool, but you should have a collection of different erasers for different purposes. Tortillions, stumps (or stomps) and chamois are not the only blending tools. Use those dirty erasers!"

The gum eraser crumbles and serves as an excellent cleanup tool, but a poor blender. It will tear softer lower quality papers (like rough newsprint).

The kneaded eraser is malleable and can be shaped to a fine edge or point when needed, or used as a shape-able lifting tool to lighten a desired shaped area. Fresh surface is exposed through inside-out modeling manipulation.

The white plastic eraser makes the best smudging and blending tool and a fine clean edge will be exposed when cutting with a utility blade knife or razor blade. While drawing, the eraser can be thought of as a white line tool drawing with the base color of the paper.