Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Erasers
Keep several types of erasers on hand. A kneaded eraser is made from soft
putty. You can mold it into a point with your fingers and lift out highlights
with the point. When it gets dirty, you can knead it until it is clean again. I
also like eraser pencils for erasing fine lines and details. Click erasers are
plastic tubes with a white stick eraser inside; you use them like a mechanic-
al pencil. You may also want a large pink or white eraser for larger areas.
Drafting Brushes
These large brushes are useful for brushing away eraser crumbs. If you use
your hand to brush them off the drawing, you will end up with a smudged
drawing and a dirty hand.
Tracing & Transfer Papers
Professional illustrators perfect their sketches on tracing paper before doing
the final drawing. If you start out by drawing on your bristol board, you'll
probably end up doing lots of erasing and “do-overs,” which can damage
the surface of the paper. Have you ever tried to draw over an erased line?
Chances are you ended up with a white, indented mark from the original
line, no matter how hard you tried to erase it.
Do your sketch and make all your corrections on tracing paper, then use
transfer paper and a sharp pencil to transfer the sketch to the bristol board.
Transfer paper is a thin sheet that has been coated with graphite on one
side. Tracing paper is also useful for placing under your hand when draw-
ing: this will help prevent smudges on finished areas of the picture.
Acetate
