So, what is a kneaded eraser? Unlike the common vinyl or rubber pink erasers, kneaded rubber erasers are more pliable and can be stretched, molded and compressed.
These super fun erasers can be used for removing and highlighting mediums like graphite, charcoal, pastel and chalk.
They can even be used for entertainment purposes such as making sculptures and bouncy balls. Although a couple of bounces on the floor can pick up more than enough dirt to make you cringe!
How to use a Kneaded Eraser
Details Details…
One of the most amazing things about kneaded erasers is that you can mold them into any shape which is great for detailing work. I remember the days of using a solid eraser and having to erase a large area of my portrait in order to fix a tiny flaw and boy was that fun!
Highlighting
Kneaded erasers do not leave residue. Look at how it eats the graphite up without leaving a single trace
behind. I didn’t even rub the paper! Just press and lift. Do this a couple times and the graphite is gone. However, this might not work if the pencil marks are too dark. In the image below, I gave it only ONE light press!
I mostly use the ‘press and lift’ method, but when it comes to things like highlighting hair, I’ll pinch the eraser and use it to swipe the graphite using light strokes. Avoid putting too much pressure on your drawing or you will bend the eraser. If it starts to change shape or becomes too dirty, fold the eraser into itself, pinch it to a fine tip and continue!
How to Clean a Kneaded Eraser
Because kneaded erasers absorb graphite, they will become dirtier with use. To clean a kneaded eraser, you can stretch and knead it until the color turns light grey. Eventually they will become too dirty to use as graphite, charcoal, dust or other particles accumulate in the eraser. I’ve only thrown away 1 so far because of the excessive accumulation of dust and dirt from the eraser continuously falling behind my desk. That’s not a big problem because they are generally very cheap and can be found in most art supply stores.
Darlene created RFA In 2013 with the goal of sharing simple yet detailed drawing tutorials with other artists on the world wide web. She is a self taught pencil portrait artist and Youtuber.
Does Kneaded Eraser dry up fast?! Or does it dry up in general??
LOL, I don’t know-how, but how do you make a kneaded/gummy eraser softer, and more kneadable?
Your lessons are great! Thanks for making things so clear and covering things so thoroughly. Ann MacLeod
Is there any specific rules on how to store a knadable eraser? In other words, will it dry out if left untouched?
I recently bought a three pack of erasers, in which contained my kneaded eraser. Which brands work the best? My kneaded eraser is the brand Daler Rowney Simply..©.
i used the daler rowney one and it works fine
Hi Darlene. Thank you and I love you.
hey i wanna know ….till when i can use kneadable eraser..
i mean whats the life of it…
It really depends on how much you use it. I’ve been using the same one for about 2-3 years. I draw only a few times a month and I mostly erase outlines and small inconsistencies.
Thank you Darlene Nguyen. Are you Vietnamese?
Dung roi Thuy oi :)
Hey Darlene, how do you draw roses and lilies. I’ve been wondering ho to and when I try to draw one it looks deformed in many ways. Please help!!!!!!!!!
Once I bought a kneaded eraser for 1$ without knowing what it was. Had to dump it right the moment I took off the plastic wrap due to the funny smell. RIP 1$
Haha yeah they do have a funny smell to them
Someone told me that stretching and pulling apart a kneaded eraser was “bad for it” and damaging. Is that true?
Hi Brooke, I always stretch my kneaded erasers and find that it’s better for cleaning than just folding. They don’t look damaged to me :)
Could you please add a tutorial for shading faces? I love your tutorials and I really need this. Thankd
I’m working on that one right now :)
But it costs 4 dollars😭
I went to my local Michael’s and got an 18 piece charcoal set including the eraser by Artist’s Loft for about six dollars USA currency. Hoped this helped!
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for art supplies
Can you review some kneaded ones side by side?