Erasers 101
- What you need to know.
By Jeramiah Townsend
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Tutorials
 There are many different types of eraseers... so what? Actually the question shouldn't
be "so what?" The question is "so WHY?" In this article I am going to tell you the main types of erasers
and their general specific uses. Start by understanding that each eraser is made differently and each
eraser type was therefore created for a different purpose. Do you know what each eraser is intended for?
As silly as it sounds... it very impotant to properly understand your eraser and how to use it.
Eraser types:
 1. Art Gum eraser
This eraser is made of rubber. It is best used to erase large areas… but this eraser also tends to crumble. Use
this eraser in large areas- it is not suited to "fine detailed" work. Make sure to use a hand broom to remove
the eraser residue. Don't wipe the residue off with your hand unless you want to smudge the graphite on your
picture. Also, art gum erasers will generally best remove dark lines as opossed to other erasers. These eraser
are generally tan in color. Use on large areas.
 2. Electric eraser
This eraser actually falls under the "vinyl" category- but slightly different. This is a fine tipped eraser
which works great for details. You can change the eraser type for either graphite or ink. This one is intended
for fine detail work and not for large areas. These erasers are a big handle of plastic with a thin eraser at
the end, kinda like a mechanical pencil… except in eraser form. Use in small tight
places.
3. Kneaded eraser 
This eraser, often referred to as a "gummy" or "gummy eraser", is used to "lift" graphite from the page. This
should not be used to completely remove pencil marks or large areas. It is best used to lighten your pencil
marks. The gummy eraser is kinda like silly putty and light grey in color. As you use it it will become darker
in color because it "lifts" graphite from the paper and absobs it… it doesn't actually erase and leave
residue. Use to lighten your graphite (pencil) marks.
4. Standard eraser 
This is your standard eraser usually found on the back of your #2 pencil. These types of erasers work okay for
general erasing purposes (why else would they be so popular?) They usually have some pumice mixed in with other
rubber and plastic materials… pumice is the abrasive stuff in some hand soaps. This eraser tends to leave
eraser residue… so make sure to have a hand brush to brush that icky stuff from your picture.
Throw it away.
5. Vinyl eraser
Like the name implies, vinyl erasers feel like they are made with more plastic. Though no eraser works well for
dark pencil marks, these are best used for lighter pencil marks. Like I said with electric erasers, vinyl
erasers are used a lot with more detailed pencil work. Generally these erasers are white.
Use for most of erasing needs.
Recap:
- Art gum eraser: use on large
areas
- Electic eraser: use in small tight
places.
- Kneaded eraser: use to lighten your graphite (pencil)
marks
- Standard eraser: thow it away and hope to never see it
again.
- Vinyl eraser: use for most of erasing
needs.
Final note:
A really cool helping tool is an erasing shield. Lets say you have a large dark area and you have to lighten up
or clean up the lines next to it without messing up your picture. An erasing shield helps do this. Simply put
the shield over your picture with the open space of the shiled over the part you want to erase. You can now
erase and make nice clean lines without worry. If you are unfamiliar with an erasing shield, please look into
purchasing one because it is a useful tool for pencil drawings.
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