When we talk about pencils, erasers almost always get mentioned. The reason is you rarely find a pencil without an eraser.
Plus, there’s no better way to get rid of pencil marks on paper than using erasers. But what will you do if after removing the graphite lines, you get another stubborn eraser mark?
In this article, we’ll discover tips and tricks on how to get rid of eraser marks for a cleaner artwork.
We’ll tackle the cause of this common problem encountered by many artists and how it can be prevented. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Ways to Get Rid of Eraser Marks
Tip #1: Always Start With a Clean Eraser
The main culprit for stubborn eraser marks are dirty erasers. The dirt on the surface leaves unpleasant marks as it rubs out the pencil.
If you are not keen on cleaning your erasers, then you’ll certainly get these imperfections. The first thing you can do to remove eraser marks is to find a new eraser or use a freshly cleaned one.
Getting a new one would take time unless you have an extra. Cleaning an eraser, meanwhile, is very simple; you can actually cut it to reveal a fresher area.
This trick will save you much more time than just rubbing on a piece of paper.
Tip # 2: Ditch Your Rubber Erasers
Another thing that causes eraser marks are the messy dust and crumbs of rubber left after erasing pencil lines.
There are different types of erasers other than rubber ones. Make sure you are using the right type for your application.
In fact, we recommend you use the following.
01 Kneaded EraserThis is a perfect tool if you are looking for a totally mess-free eraser. Kneaded erasers do not produce any residue or marks on your medium.
Unlike regular rubber erasers that work by rubbing, these remove pencil marks by picking and transferring the graphite from the medium to the kneaded eraser.
Aside from being mess-free, kneaded erasers also have several advantages over regular ones.
You can also mold these objects into smaller pieces, making them excellent tools for erasing hard-to-reach areas. They can also be used to produce effects in shading.
02 Soft Vinyl EraserThis type of eraser is less messy than the traditional rubber ones. You’ll easily notice this, as most labels claim that vinyl types are dust-free and smudge-free.
Unlike rubber erasers that produce crumbs everywhere, a soft vinyl eraser makes crumbs that form lumps, making it easier to clean.
Soft vinyl erasers are made from plastic, which makes them durable. Another advantage you can get when using these is high efficiency. They completely erase various marks, including ink.
How to Prevent Eraser Marks?
There are plenty of ways to prevent eraser marks.
- Choose a good quality eraser. Have separate types for colored pencils and pens, for instance.
- Pick smooth paper such as hot-pressed or cotton sheets.
- Use Blue-tack to remove lines so that smearing is avoided.
Why Does My Eraser Leave Smudges?
Eraser smudges may be caused by the following reasons:
- Poor quality erasers
- Erasers being dirty or too old
- Using inappropriate erasers
- Removing eraser crumbs with your bare hands – This is a perfect formula for smudges. To prevent this from happening, invest in a drafting brush or any soft brush to dust off eraser crumbs.
FAQs
How to get pencil off canvas?
You can get pencil marks off canvas by using water and an eraser or a small brush. Follow these simple steps:
- Get a small bowl with water.
- Wet your eraser/brush and rub it on the canvas with pencil marks.
- Dab with a clean cloth to remove excess water and eraser scum.
If this doesn’t work, add a small amount of dish soap and bleach into the water and rub again until all pencil marks are removed.
How to remove pencil marks on wall?
Remove pencil marks on walls in the following ways.
- Using sandpaper
Gently sand the pencil marks on the wall portion by portion. Do note that this method is not applicable to enamel painted walls but works best for lime washed painted walls.
Then, remove the lifted dirt with a soft brush.
- Using rubber eraser
Just like erasing pencil marks on paper, rub the lines on the wall with a rubber eraser. Remove dirt and crumbs with a soft brush.
How to erase pencil without eraser?
If your purpose is to simply erase pencil marks on your notes or something less serious like the removal of pencil marks crossword paper, you can try the following.
- Using rubbery materials such as rubber bands and rubber soles.
- Adhesive putty or clay.
Do note that results may differ and these alternatives may not work like regular erasers.
How to clean a kneaded eraser?
It can be cleaned by kneading the dirty portion back and forth. Kneaded erasers are designed to self-clean, and you do not need any other tool to treat them.
It is best to use the item by portions rather than the whole kneaded eraser at once. Smaller portions are also easier to mold and clean.
Conclusion
There are two ways on how to get rid of eraser marks. You can simply clean your eraser or replace it with a better type, such as kneaded and soft vinyl erasers.
These would also depend on your purpose and what type of artwork you are working on. If you are sketching using charcoal pencils, then using a kneaded eraser is highly recommended.
For other regular uses such as drafting and writing, you can always use your trusty rubber or soft vinyl erasers. Just make sure to keep them clean to avoid unwanted marks.
Art has always been a part of my life; it influences my upbringing and later my career choice. For me, it is always a part of my parenting technique. So for whichever purpose that you come to art, you can start here with us.