The Best Erasers for Canvas for 2023

Even the most celebrated painters fumbled as they worked on some of the most iconic paintings in the history of art. Mistakes, after all, are part of the creative process. However, there is nothing more frustrating for an artist than seeing faint pencil marks on the canvas.

While manufacturers have invented a variety of erasers, most of them perform better on paper. Working with a canvas poses different challenges. You have most likely noticed that the eraser dust gets stuck on the canvas but this problem is preventable.

The best eraser for canvas rubs out your blunders to help you produce neat illustrations. Instead of regretting your mistakes, you can remove them as if nothing happened.

Best Eraser for Canvas Reviews 

1. Pentel ZEH10PC10 Hi-Polymer Block Eraser

Pentel has produced many awesome art products and its line of erasers is just as promising. Is it any good with canvases? The answer is yes!

Unlike gum erasers, this polymer block eraser produces less dust when I rubbed it on paper and canvas, which is why this product is so versatile. Since I tend to make a lot of mistakes in drawing, I don’t leave visible markings or “ghosting” because the eraser effectively lifts the graphite. My canvas remains good as new as it does not smudge my sketches.

Despite its firmness, the eraser is still soft and gentle on the canvas. Size-wise, I like that it has substantial space for me to hold on to. As such, it is easy for me to control the eraser, especially when I rub it on just a small section of the illustration. On top of that, it is also soft so it does not scratch the canvas.

In terms of packaging, each eraser is wrapped in plastic to keep off the dirt and retain its quality. I know that 10 erasers are quite a lot for one person but the good news is that they do not crack or harden over time. Thus, it is a great investment for professional artists, hobbyists, students, and those who are looking for office supplies.

2. Faber-Castell 127220 Kneaded Eraser

As a brand, Faber-Castell is well-known for its high-quality yet affordable colored pencils, graphites, and many other art supplies. It should not come as a surprise that they have developed kneaded erasers that work well on most pencils.

One of the benefits of using kneaded erasers is that it is extremely pliable. I can bend or stretch them to erase small details without affecting the entire drawing. Sometimes I tear a small portion of it so I do not expose the rest of the eraser to dirt. That said, I can also shape them in a way that lets me hold the eraser more comfortably.

Another benefit is that the eraser does not generate tiny particles of dust. Whether I use it on the smoothest papers or the toothiest canvas, it effectively lifts graphite and colored pencils. However, it leaves the surface clean.

With paper, I don’t even need to rub the eraser too much. Sometimes, I just press it on my light penciled markings and it instantly picks up the graphite. Some artists even use it to intentionally lift some parts of their graphite, charcoal, and colored pencils.

The only disadvantage of using this type of eraser is that it absorbs graphite, although cleaning it up is simple. I usually just stretch and press it until it turns light gray. Over time, it would still collect more graphite so I had to throw it away.

3. STAEDTLER STD52650BK4 Mars Plastic

As many of you might remember, this vinyl eraser is iconic. I used to have one of these when I was a child and it remains one of my favorites until now for a reason. The quality has never changed!

Unlike other erasers, this one does not easily pick up graphite no matter how many times I used it. This way, the graphite from my previous erasures does not get transferred to the drawing that I’m working on. Based on experience, it performs well even with colored pencils.

I think it is a good eraser to use on canvas because the dust it sheds off is minimal. Moreover, it does not pull the paper away while I’m scrubbing, which prevents wrinkling or ruining the surface of the sheet. Besides, there is no need to apply pressure just to wipe out my errors.

When it comes to size, the eraser does not take up much space in my pen case. Yet, it still provides ample surface for me to grip so it is easy for me to control. At the same time, it is pretty durable. Even if I’m rough with the way I erase, it does not break apart.

Also, the paper sleeve is wrapped tightly so the eraser will not wiggle too. If you are looking for an eraser that lasts long, this is the right choice.

4. AFMAT Rechargeable Electric Eraser

Working within deadlines means that artists have to be efficient so it is best to invest in an electric eraser. The last thing you want is to spend too much time rectifying your errors.

One of the advantages of using an electric eraser is that I don’t have to move my arms a lot or apply pressure just to erase. It takes a light touch on the section that I want to erase and voila! Despite multiple layers of graphite, the pencil markings are gone, thereby increasing my productivity.

More than that, this unit can hold two sizes of erasers. This feature helps me target specific details and large sections of my marking or shading. Performance-wise, I love how it thoroughly cleans up my blunders without leaving any form of ghosting. Sketching on the “erased” areas feels like drawing on a new sheet of paper.

Since it comes with a brush, I can just sweep away the eraser’s residue off my canvas or paper. On that note, let me emphasize that this brush works even better on canvas, especially when I want to take out all the dust that got stuck in the fabric. On paper, I can assure you that the brush does not cause any smudging.

Also, the package includes replaceable erasers and clamps, as well as a charger. Charging does not take long and it takes up to 600 uses before the battery gets empty. In terms of sustainability, I believe that this brand has nailed it since it lessens the need to buy a new eraser.

5. Acurit 4336950576 Vanish 4-in-1 Artist Eraser

At face value, this product looks like an ordinary eraser but it can do so much more. Without further adieu, let me walk you through its features so you can understand why it is suitable for canvases.

When I rubbed this eraser, I observed that it was shredded into a strip of dust rather than particles. There was hardly any residue that fell on the toothy canvas. As such, I managed to pick up this strip of eraser dust with my bare hands.

While this is a good eraser for graphite, it effectively removes charcoal and pastels. In other words, I don’t have to buy different kinds of erasers when I work with mixed-media pieces. Even if I erased the inked sections of my illustrations, it does not smear the graphite.

As a whole, I like the size of this eraser because it is very easy to hold and control. Furthermore, it does not break in half or crack when I rub it roughly. With charcoals and pastels, this can work as a blender if you adjust the pressure you apply.

6. Pentel ZEH10BP3-K6 Hi-polymer Block Eraser

Yet another eraser from Pentel landed on this review. It speaks volumes about the quality that this product has to offer to students, artists, and office workers.

For this review, I tested this eraser on graphites, charcoal, colored pencils, and pastels to see how well it removes the lead or pigments. What I found is that it does a great job on paper, especially with pencils. Even if I pressed my pencil hard while drawing, it is not impossible to scrub them out. At the same time, it does not lift the paper so I don’t accidentally wrinkle my illustration.

While it emits gunk, it is very easy to brush or shake off the canvas. Shedding off the graphite is an advantage for me because it keeps it clean and ready to use. Thus, it does not stain on the new paper or canvas that I’m using. I find this product really low maintenance compared to other types of erasers that absorb dust or graphite.

In terms of size, I think it’s just perfect as it lets me grip it properly. Also, it takes a while before I use up the eraser. Having 3 of these in a pack means that I can store one at home, have a spare in my pen case, and bring one at work.

7. Emraw White Oval Soft Eraser Rubber

Besides its elegant design, this eraser’s superior performance has appealed to many professionals and students in diverse industries. Whether you use it on paper, canvas, or wall, it removes pencil markings effectively.

What sets this eraser apart is its oval shape, which is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. It is so much easier to scrub out small details in my illustration without touching the parts that I don’t want to erase. It works well even when I rub it lightly on darkened areas.

Since I don’t have to apply too much pressure just to erase mistakes, it helps me prevent creasing the paper. More importantly, I’m impressed that it does not smear the graphite. Meanwhile, the residue is also very easy to dust off from the toothy canvas.

In addition, the eraser is great for scrubbing out pencil markings on the wall because it does not lift the paint. For those who work with archival papers, you will be amazed that this is also acid-free. If you or your children are allergic to latex, the good news is that this eraser is latex-free.

At any rate, I think you will enjoy using this because it is soft yet firm. In conjunction with the size, I find it very comfortable to hold. Even though it has no sleeve, it does not easily pick dirt or graphite.

8. Prismacolor Magic Rub Eraser

Most of us know Prismacolor for its high-quality blending markers and colored pencils that have earned the trust of both creative hobbyists and professionals. Likewise, this brand also manufactures different types of erasers but my favorite is the Magic Rub.

First of all, I like the fact that this eraser is non-abrasive and bendable. These qualities help me erase precisely without messing up the fabric of the canvas. Because the dust does not get stuck in the fabric, I just use my hand or a brush to sweep off the dust or shake it off.

Secondly, it does not take brute force to eliminate the darkest graphite markings on drawing papers, tracing papers, and drafting films. With light pencil sketches, it can even work faster. Generally speaking, it does not lift or wrinkle the paper so I don’t have to hold down the sheet while rubbing.

I also highly recommended this eraser for cleaning up a finished artwork. For instance, I would rub off the pencil markings after I finished my watercolor painting. I can guarantee that it does not lift the watercolor.

What to Look for When Buying an Eraser for Canvas

Unlike working on a computer, there is no way you can undo the errors you made while painting. Before you touch your paintbrush, you need to create a preliminary sketch with a pencil. This saves you the trouble of correcting mistakes, which can be harder to correct once you apply your wet medium.

That said, you need to consider getting an eraser that works well on canvas. Otherwise, you might end up messing up your artwork.

Minimal Dust or Dust-Free

Erasers are mostly designed for papers. Even if it produces dust, it is easy to brush the residue away. On the other hand, canvases are textured. Chances are, the dust that an eraser generates will be much harder to clean.

Kneaded erasers are your best bet since they absorb the graphite rather than shed off eraser strips or dust. In the long run, however, it can get too dirty and unusable after absorbing all the dust and graphite it is exposed to.

Alternatively, you can check out vinyl erasers or hi-polymer latex-free erasers. The packaging indicates if the eraser is “dust-free” or not.

Non-abrasive material

Art supplies brands name their erasers differently. If you are not familiar with the science behind how each eraser works, then let’s simplify it for you.

One thing to keep in mind is that abrasive erasers can damage the fabric of the canvas. This would probably work on other types of surfaces but for canvas, you need non-abrasive erasers. Some manufacturers refer to them as “soft erasers.”

Electric vs. Manual

Electric erasers offer convenience. Most of them come with chargers, clamps, spare erasers, as well as brushes. Moreover, you can buy all these parts separately. Simply click the button, and it will do its job fast.

However, if the electric eraser unit breaks, it can be hard to find a repair shop for it. Hence, many artists still go for manual erasers.

Smearing Prevention

Another issue that you want to look out for is if the eraser causes smearing. Some products are notorious for spreading the graphite, regardless of whether you rub it on canvas or paper. Be sure to read reviews before you buy to know whether the eraser causes smearing or not.

Form

As individuals, we grip our tools differently. Fortunately, manufacturers have designed manual and electric erasers in different shapes and sizes. All you have to do now is choose which one is easy to grip for you.

Can I Use an Eraser on Canvas

Of course! However, you should not use just any eraser. You need to make sure that the eraser is non-abrasive to avoid scuffing the fabric of your canvas.

At the same time, you also need erasers that produce less dust so it is easier to clean up. Kneaded, vinyl, and soft erasers, as well as electric erasers, are your best options.

How Do You Get Eraser Marks off The Canvas

Avoid using pencils with soft leads when you draw your preliminary sketches because they cause smudge marks. To prevent smearing, artists recommend pencils with harder leads like 4H or 6H pencil to use on canvas. Lighter lines are easier to remove but this will also depend on how coarse the canvas is.

If your canvas has been primed with gesso, you can easily remove the pencil marks with a kneaded eraser. Avoid rubbing your kneaded eraser too hard as it may cause the graphite to smear. You can press and rub lightly to remove the excess graphite, then use vinyl or soft erasers to scrub off the remaining marks.

Alternatively, you can also use light watercolor pencils because they can be washed with a damped cloth or sponge.

Conclusion

While mistakes are inevitable, you don’t have to let them get in the way of making art. Correcting your errors on the canvas should not feel like a punishment.

With the right type of erasers, you can clean up your blunders without affecting the quality of the canvas and your illustrations. In doing so, you can focus on bringing those ideas into life and enjoy the process of making art.

That said, I have shared everything you need to know about the best eraser for canvas in this article. All you have to do is figure out which one suits your needs.

Robert S. Brown

I am a former art teacher, so it is evident to me the importance of art in educating the new generation. We also want to help parents who plan to teach their children and desire the best tools and tips for them.