How to Lift Shading With an Eraser

Erasers are a useful tool for shading drawings.

Shading a drawing adds depth and a sensation of light and darkness to otherwise two-dimensional drawings. The lighter the shading, the nearer and brighter the object seems to be. One way to achieve a lighter effect in shading is to gradually add fewer and fewer pencil marks. Another way is to use an eraser to lift pencil marks from the page. As you progress in artistic skill, lifting pencil marks will become an easy task.

Things You'll Need

• Gum or kneaded eraser

Instructions

1. As with any shading technique, you want your darkest value to be your starting area, before gradually lightening the rest of the area until you reach the lightest point. For example: if you are shading an object with its light source to the right of the object, the darkest value should be placed on the left side, and the lightest value on the side closest to the light source. Hold your pencil sideways and gently sweep the side of the pencil tip across the area that you want to shade. Keep adding sweeps of graphite until the area is the darkest value you will be using in the drawing.

2. To shade the image, gradually lift off the dark area to make it gradually lighter. Hold the eraser with your thumb on one side, your middle finger on the other side and your index finger on top of the eraser. A good grip is important because a slip could unintentionally erase an area. Your goal is not to erase, but simply to lighten.

3. Place the corner of the eraser on the area that needs to be lightened.

4. Gently dab the eraser on the area until the desired amount of graphite is lifted. Use an up-and-down pressing motion instead of a rubbing motion, to avoid completely erasing the section of marks. Gently press the eraser to the paper to remove a thin layer of graphite, making the markings appear lighter. The more times you press the eraser to the paper, the lighter your markings will become. As you make an area transition from dark to light, use more and more pressing.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not rub your eraser on the drawing. This may damage the paper.

References

• "Art and Drawing"; Linda Drewry; 2004
• "Drawing and Sketching"; Stan Smith; 1982

Resources

• Arty Factory: Pencil Shading Exercises