Ultimate Guide to The Best Erasers: Erase Smarter, Not Harder
When it comes to creating art, the eraser is just as important as the pen or pencil. Every artist knows that a good eraser can make all the difference in achieving the desired result. Whether you’re a professional artist, a student or just someone who enjoys drawing as a hobby, finding the right eraser for your specific needs can be crucial. There are several types of erasers available, each with its own unique qualities and benefits. In this article, we will explore the best erasers for drawing, including specialty erasing tools and accessories, so that you can find the perfect tools for your next art project.
The Best Erasers
Mistakes are inevitable, but that doesn’t mean they have to be permanent. A good eraser removes marks and mistakes with ease, without damaging the surface they’re made on. We bring you a list of the best erasers for your every drawing need.
1. Click or Stick Eraser
Click or Stick erasers consist of a shaft of cylindrical vinyl eraser encased in a plastic pen-like outer. The eraser can be pushed out as required. Refills can be bought separately from the outer cover.
Generally, these erasers have a diameter of only 2.3mm and are extremely useful for using in confined spaces or lifting out very fine lines. They come in both round and square-tip versions. The round variety can be further trimmed into a wedge shape to erase even finer lines if needed. Thicker eraser sticks can also be used to erase a very fine line by cutting the tip to a sharp angle or by using an eraser shield.
Some famous brands of click or stick erasers are
Pentel Clic Retractable Eraser with Grip
Colours: Black/Red/Blue Number of pieces in a pack: 3 Dimension L x B x H: 0.75 x 7.25 x 2.81 inches
These erasers are made up of a mixture of rubber and pumice. The coloured pencil and ink erasers will remove coloured pencils and ink, but they are hard on the paper and should be used with extreme care or they can damage the paper.
Generally, these erasers come with the ones with two sides – one for graphite and one for coloured pencils and ink.
Some famous brands of coloured pencil and ink erasers are
Faber-Castell Ink and Pencil Eraser
Colours: White/Blue Number of pieces in a pack: 30 Dimension L x B x H: 5.1 x 8.1 x 21.9 Centimeters
Electric erasers are similar to stick erasers, but the rubbing is done by machine and not by hand. A battery-driven motor rotates the thin, soft eraser which protrudes from the end. It’s possible to erase back to the white of the paper using an electric eraser, but care and gentle handling is needed as they remove part of the paper surface as they erase. But be careful while using it. Pressing too hard could damage the paper.
The electric eraser comes with a set of eraser tips that are pushed into the casing. Extra tips can be bought separately, which is useful because the tips wear down quickly with use.
Colors: Blue/Pink Number of pieces in a pack: 1 Model Name: Electric Pencil Eraser with 21 Eraser Refills Cordless Electric Eraser / Automatic Portable Battery Operated Electric Pencil Eraser with 21 Eraser Cordless Electric Eraser Weight: 96 g Batteries required: 2 AAA batteries
Gum-type erasers also referred to as “art gum” erasers, are gum erasers that have a soft, somewhat gummy texture and can have a slightly translucent-looking appearance. They absorb graphite and crumble as they erase.
While they will leave a large amount of crumb” on your page, the eraser itself is a little bit softer than a typical rubber eraser, so it is better suited to use on a variety of different paper types. It is not the most precise mode of erasing, though, so for finer lines or details, consider using a kneaded eraser.
Some famous brands of gum erasers are
BR 40 Red and Blue Gum Eraser
Colors: Red/Blue Number of pieces in a pack: 1 Model Name: BR 40 Red and Blue Gum Eraser
This type of eraser also known as the putty eraser is pliable and can be molded sort of like stiff clay. It works by picking up pigment off of the paper, and doesn’t leave crumbs like a gum or rubber eraser. It can be re-kneaded to absorb graphite.
Since kneaded erasers can be shaped into a point, they can be used to erase areas of very fine detail. However, because the rubber can become sticky when handled for long periods of time, kneaded rubber is not the best choice for erasing large areas. The ideal way to use it is not to rub, but to press, rotate and pull the eraser away from the paper.
Some famous brands of kneaded erasers are
Cretacolor Kneadable Eraser
Colors: Green Number of pieces in a pack: 4 Model Name: Cretacolor kneadable Eraser Big (Pack of 4) Dimension (L x B x H): 12 x 10 x 6 Centimeters
Colors: White Number of pieces in a pack: 6 Model Name: BRUSTRO kneadable Art Eraser Pack of 6 with Blending Stump Set Dimension (L x B x H): 21 x 8 x 5 Centimeters
Pencil erasers, or erasils, are made out of vinyl and come in the form of a pencil. They can be sharpened to a point with a regular pencil sharpener the same as you would an ordinary pencil, making them ideal for small details, such as highlights in hair. It’s always a good idea to wipe the tip of the eraser while working so you don’t smear graphite back on your work. Since these are made of vinyl they are very tough and can damage your paper if not used carefully.
Some famous brands of pencil erasers are
Koh-I-Noor Artist Eraser Pencil
Colors: Gold/White Number of pieces in a pack: 2 Model Name: Koh-I-Noor Artist Eraser Pencil – Pack of 2 Dimension (L x B x H): 17.5 x 1.4 x 0.7 Centimeters
This is one of the most common types of erasers. It also comes as the pink cylinder on the top of your pencil. These sturdy, all-purpose erasers often come in pink but are available in a number of colours. They are firmer than a gum eraser, and they’re effective at removing pencil marks from paper.
A rubber eraser works similarly to a gum eraser but with a little more precision. It pulls graphite from the paper while shedding itself, so it will leave little crumbs on the paper. While overzealous use can damage paper, rubber erasers, like gum erasers, are less abrasive on paper than vinyl erasers.
The rubber plant is named after the eraser, not the other way around.
Some famous brands of rubber erasers are
Doms Triangle Dust Free Eraser
Colors: Multicolour Number of pieces: 50 Model Name: Doms Triangle Dust Free Fragrance Eraser Jar (50 Pcs) Dimension (L x B x H): 13 x 9.2 x 2.2 Centimeters
Sand erasers are made from rubber and fine sand particles. The sand particles are abrasive and therefore cleanly remove ink, pastel, and coloured pencil marks. These erasers don’t smudge, smear or leave a residue. However, because they are made from abrasive particles, you should avoid using them on delicate papers.
Some famous brands of sand erasers are
NOZOMI Sand Eraser
Number of pieces: 1 Colors: White Model Name: NOZOMI Best Quality Sand Eraser / Natural Rubber Eraser for Pen Ink and Pencil Eraser Non-Toxic Eraser (Set of 1, White) Dimension (L x B x H): 6 x 6 x 2 Centimeter
Vinyl erasers also called “plastic erasers” or “drafting erasers”, are hard. They have a rigid texture and are capable of doing some heavy-duty erasing, with the ability to remove even ink from a page. Their clean and complete erasing capabilities make them the favored type for drafters. Because of the very rigid texture of a vinyl eraser, there is a possibility of damaging the paper, so work gently when erasing, and don’t use it on delicate types of paper.
Some famous brands of vinyl erasers are
Faber-Castell Vinyl Eraser
Colors: Grey Model Name: Faber-Castell Dust-Free Vinyl Eraser 187120 Dimension(L x B x H): 6.2 x 2.1 x 1.1 Centimeters
The type of eraser depends on the surface of the material used for writing. Some of the most effective erasers are vinyl erasers, kneaded erasers, gum-type erasers, and rubber erasers.
What eraser erases completely?
Vinyl erasers can erase almost anything including ink. Vinyl erasers are usually white and come in a variety of shapes. Many draftsmen prefer vinyl erasers because of their ability to erase cleanly and completely.
Which eraser is the softest?
Gum erasers are the softest of all erasers.
What is the hardest eraser?
Vinyl erasers are the hardest of all erasers.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our article on the best erasers for drawing, the best pen erasers, and other specialty erasing tools and accessories. Erasing is a crucial part of any artist’s toolkit and having the right eraser can make all the difference in the quality of your work. Whether you’re looking for a high-quality pen eraser or a specialty erasing tool, we’ve got you covered. It’s important to invest in high-quality erasers to ensure you can make the most out of your artwork.