Friday, February 16, 2007

Drawing Tip of the Day


From the late, great (not dead, just late) John Dorman: Use a small battery powered eraser to create highlights. First, lay down a smooth pencil smudge on the drawing area. Use tissue to smooth it fine. Sketch image lightly on smudge, being extremely careful not to avoid getting graphite all over your hands. Hands should look like a coal-miner's afterward, so people think you are really working hard. Use eraser to create light areas, basically drawing with the eraser. Manual erasers will work but not as good. The above drawing is not an example, just needed to post a broad.

10 comments:

Trevour said...

Jim - THIS is the one I've wanted for years, but never get around to slapping down that kinda money. But that is definitely a good tip - it works OK with the Mars plastic erasers alone, but boy those electric ones really clean up the black.

Jimbo said...

To trev: You the man, dude. Money is for which? Ive got one of the heavy duty industrial drafting electric erasers that carves the image right into the drawing board, like a wood burning kit.

Anonymous said...

Awesome. I've never seen a battery powered eraser around my parts, unfortunately.

Trevour said...

Jim, I want YOUR eraser! Colossal men must tremble in its presence!

Freshyfresh said...

This drawing is beautiful, I like the body of the right girl because the wonderful shapes.
The other drawings what you post are great too, one of my favourite is the Western city!

Freshyfresh said...

Ps: "Osmond Creek", do you name it after Fred Osmond?

Jimbo said...

To archblog: Yes and the building on the right is for Steve Worth.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Jim!

Kristen McCabe said...

I had no idea there were such things as battery-powered erasers? Thanks for the tip!

What kind of pencils did you use in this drawing? It looks like a soft lead.

Jimbo said...

to Kristen: You can buy those erasers at any office supply I believe. The softer lead is better for the shading but any pencil, chalk, or pastel will do.