Hmmm, that could mean “creating a picture of tools using a pencil”. It doesn’t. It means this blog post is going to explain to you some tools used in drawing. I probably used all the techniques (except the last one)  in this drawing called “Release”.

An eraser shouldn’t need explaining. It erases; you get that! But, did you know an eraser can do these things too:

• It can draw. (yup, it can draw light things onto dark spaces)
• It can soften hard edges. (especially helpful if you need to add on to something)
• It can smear things that were too specific.
• It can create hard edges.

An erasing shield looks like a 2×3″ metal template. It is used by architects and engineers to isolate small parts in order to erase only them and not their neighbors. (so called “friendly fire”). But it can be used for these things too:

• It can serve as a block to shade right up to a straight edge.
• It can act as a template.
• It can provide a shield so that you can create a hard edge with your eraser.

Now that I give it thought, a pencil can do more than just draw or write.

• It can shade (duh!)
• It can smooth out previous shading
• It can make an impressed line (meaning scratched into the paper so it doesn’t take any more color)
• It can scratch an itch in your ear (not recommended)

And thus we conclude another free drawing lesson.

Can you think of any other uses for these tools?