3 Effective Ways to Use a Kneaded Eraser for Realistic Drawing

Kneaded erasers are one of my 'must have tools for realistic drawing.' They're tremendously useful, I use them almost as much as I use my pencils, and I really can’t imagine drawing without them! In this video, discover 3 ways to use a kneaded eraser for realistic drawing, and what sets this essential drawing tool apart from other erasers.
👉🏽My current favorite kneaded eraser brand: amzn.to/3PYuKBB
I prefer this one because it's more rigid, and holds its shape better than other brands I've tried.
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Videos Coming Soon:
🌟How to Transform Your Eye Drawings: A Student Case Study
🌟6 Most Common Eye Drawing Mistakes - Part 3!
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Recommended Videos for You to Watch:
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About Marina and The Drawing Source:
Hi there! I'm a professional visual artist, arts educator, former Tenure-Track professor of visual arts, and Founder of TheDrawingSource.com. I love distilling complex drawing concepts into steps that are easy to understand and apply, and consider myself successful when you increase both your skills and your enjoyment of the drawing process!
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Key Moments:
00:00 Intro, and why you have several kneaded erasers in one
00:33 Three factors that set the kneaded eraser apart from a typical one
00:39 Factor 1
00:57 Factor 2
01:10 Factor 3
01:24 Three techniques to use with your kneaded eraser
01:28 Technique 1
01:45 Technique 2
02:07 Technique 3
02:45 Tips for extra control and stability
03:01 When to replace a kneaded eraser

[@TheDrawingSource]

This video is from my Foundations of Drawing Technique course, which you can access in my membership: thedrawingsource.teachable.com/p/drawing-decoded Next recommended video - 3 Tips for Shading Light Values: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnXNaJWAhbllqJo

[@distanceyaself8975]

This is such an underrated video, I got a kneadable eraser in an art set and stupidly because of it's consistency doubted if it would even remove a faint line from a page, this video has just opened up a new art style for me and I love it, thank you so much.

[@TheDrawingSource]

I'm thrilled to read this, thank you so much for sharing!

[@whyamiherel0l133]

Omg the General brand is so fire and not expensive. Btw.... I never knew how to clean it and would use the ENTIRE THING FOR YEARS AND I HAVE AN ART DEGREE OMG. Also love how your voice is perfect for how to and you keep your face so still like ? Love it.

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thank you, so kind of you to say! You *can* certainly use the entire thing, especially if you're working large-scale, more loosely or abstractly, but for more precise realistic drawing I definitely find these three techniques to be the most useful :)

[@ailareese]

omg!! you deserve so many more subscribers because your way of filming and working is so professional and you explain things sooo beautifully 💞

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thank you so much, Aila! More videos are on the way :)

[@kasvinimuniandy4178]

Thank you!!! I just got this as a present today and I don't know how to use it!

[@TheDrawingSource]

What a great birthday present! :)

[@chiragart2tech974]

👍👍👍

[@gmg03]

Thank you! This was lovely! Showing my extremely enthusiastic and very talented 7 year old how to improve his skills.

[@TheDrawingSource]

Amazing! Thank you very much😊

[@riashi27]

Thank you very much for showing us the way. This is surely helpful in my future!!

[@TheDrawingSource]

I'm thrilled to hear that, thank you!

[@cmonaco577]

I'm putting this video in my tool box. Thanks 🙂

[@TheDrawingSource]

I'm thrilled to hear that, thank you!

[@Antaratma_speaking]

I'm your great fan ......i like your every art videos

[@pistaobiela]

Thanx for sharing your knowledge! Im grateful! Hope you the best!

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thank you! All the best to you as well.

[@kalakar1380]

Very helpful video, very well made video...👍

[@magnolia8626]

Wow! Love that teacup in the thumbnail!

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thanks so much, Anya!

[@rjsyifa]

thank you for the video!!!!

[@bnc6299]

Very helpful and informative

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thank you, I'm thrilled to hear that!

[@m.sharan678]

Thank you so much🙌🏻

[@kolarkaraudioresearch]

Really nice explanation love it

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thank you!

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Excellent advice and demonstration. :-)

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thank you very much!

[@mikesmicroworlds4566]

Thank you!

Nice Tutorial 👌 thank you 🎨✌

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thank you very much, Sascha!

[@ExpectMiracles55]

Excellent tutorial! The best I've encountered on the subject so far. As I intend to learn how to work with pencils and charcoals I just subscribed and gave you the only one like I'm allowed to :o( I was baffled to see such a skilled artist with only 1.5K subs!? But then you haven't really created much content for the site over this past two years. I hope that'll change as you're absolutely great!

[@TheDrawingSource]

Hi there! Thank you so much for your kind words, very much appreciated! You're absolutely right, I haven't uploaded much here, as my focus has been developing my program Drawing Decoded: thedrawingsource.teachable.com/p/drawing-decoded I do plan to upload here more regularly in the future :) Thanks again and all the best!

[@pew_pew__]

Thank you much...it really really helped ♥

[@TheDrawingSource]

I'm thrilled to hear that, thank you for letting me know!

[@sagarkhare875]

thank you so much for this knowledge now i can buy it confidentially 😄😄😄💝

[@TheDrawingSource]

You are most welcome! And absolutely, I consider it an essential drawing tool, and use it as much as my pencils!

[@husainattar4241]

Your drawings are wonderful. Great video, too.

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thank you! Much appreciated :)

[@samgivens2393]

Thank you!!

[@TheDrawingSource]

My pleasure!

[@jaygame23]

thanks for the tips :)

[@jaanuandchaaru1183]

Omg, u deserve more likes and subscribers, I love the way u filmed the video , it was pitch perfect...ur a life saver

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thank you very much for the kind words!

[@artscience7053]

This is amazing 💕

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thank you!

[@badrondz8885]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@v.t.6890]

Awesome video. Love, health and happiness from India. Namaskar.🙏

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thank you!

[@miftanazuha1605]

Thankyou sooo muchh!❤️🤩

[@TheDrawingSource]

My pleasure! Thank you, Mifta :)

[@chialin7130]

Thank you,

[@TheDrawingSource]

You're very welcome!

[@marshamanuel9781]

Looking for your video on how to avoid smudging with yoyr hand. Thanks! Great video!

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thanks so much, Marsha, I've put that on my list of videos to make!

[@c0nstantin86]

You're a sweet and humble woman, I respect that! Thanks for the hints! God bless!

[@youtubeghost1889]

Thankyou 💖

[@monusuthar9519]

Thanks

[@hughtempleton8640]

Great video ❤

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thanks so much, Hugh!

[@Duccyslittlegang]

My art teacher gave me a generals kneaded eraser and it’s so good

[@AshwinArts.]

Thanks 😊👍

[@TheDrawingSource]

You're most welcome 😊

[@chillingwithlauryngames2607]

My sister bought me a art kit for my birthday last year and it came with one and I never really used one so here I am !

[@JamieBoots]

Nice video. Have used lots of different ones of these and found the Faktis K20 to be one of the best as it will hold a shape and is relatively inexpensive, they generally last me about three years and develop a gritty feel towards the end of there life. Thanks again for a great video and hope this is also of help😊

[@TheDrawingSource]

Thanks for the kind words and suggestion, Jamie! I'll have to try the Faktis K20. Three years is really impressive! I can't say that any of mine have lasted that long, but I draw largescale charcoal installations and use them constantly 😊 Depends what you're using them for (and how) and the type of pencil dust you're erasing. Thanks again!

[@cutiepie-gp9mn]

Thank for this video mam

[@TheDrawingSource]

My pleasure, and you're most welcome!

[@mrblubber1598]

this was explained nicely. i got a question, when i make my kneaded eraser a fine point and want my highlights tiny and bright, the eraser doesnt eraser that well where it makes the highlight stand out and doesnt stay as small as i want it. what would i do?

[@sxmyuktha3623]

Dude same

[@TheDrawingSource]

Hi there! Great question. I would: 1) Try using the point of a more solid, rectangular eraser rather than a kneaded one. Or, I might take my Tuff Stuff Eraser, carve it into a point with a razor blade (as though sharpening a drawing pencil) and use that. 2) When I know that there is a highlight on my drawing subject that I want to remain as bright as possible, I draw around it rather than having to erase it later and risk it not being as bright as I want. I hope this helps!

[@sujatabehera3530]

Woww

[@darkworld1576]

Sis.. your voice is so cute😍

[@lvbailey1]

❣️

[@linnetteresendiz]

omg thanks i got a kneaded eraser yesterday at michaels

[@TheDrawingSource]

Congrats on getting such a useful drawing tool!

[@linnetteresendiz]

@@TheDrawingSource ty :D

[@kolarkaraudioresearch]

From India

[@chiragart2tech974]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@PurpleB3an]

I have a question, I just got myself a kneaded eraser a few days ago. but it’s already sticky, is that just a new eraser thing or is it a bad batch.

[@TheDrawingSource]

Hmm, sticky as in coming off on your fingers? If so - that definitely shouldn't be the case. I would try kneading it first and seeing if that helps at all, and if not - I would try a different brand.

[@jimquim1574]

Can you use this technique in hair????

[@TheDrawingSource]

Yes, absolutely! I used all three techniques to draw the hair in this tutorial: www.thedrawingsource.com/how-to-draw-hair.html Technique 2 is especially useful for creating individual, lighter strands later on in the drawing.

[@rii4893]

Can i use it in eraser realistic eye's?

[@TheDrawingSource]

Absolutely!

[@ashnivadrevu5318]

My kneaded eraser is way too hard, what should I do to make it softee, please reply I really wanna know if there is a way

[@TheDrawingSource]

Hi Ashni, I would try kneading it for a few minutes. (Pulling it apart and reshaping it repeatedly.) You can also try breaking it into smaller pieces, and kneading each piece separately. Most of them are a little bit inflexible when you first unwrap them, but some need more kneading than others.

[@ashnivadrevu5318]

@@TheDrawingSource oh my gosh, thank you soo soo much, I'm a huge fan of your art ❤️❤️❤️

[@eyrefernandez5878]

Hello there, cool video. I was just wondering do you have a Facebook page?

[@TheDrawingSource]

Hi there, thanks very much. I do have a Facebook page! (Though I could stand to be more active on it!) facebook.com/thedrawingsource

[@kingslypaul1329]

I make so easy

[@elysiumoeuvre_]

since the paper on my sketch is tearing because i work on a certain part too much, i thought of buying kneading eraser since it doesnt look like it tears the paper

[@TheDrawingSource]

Hi there! A kneaded eraser could definitely help, but if you keep finding that your paper is tearing, you may simply need a heavier-weight paper. I would try a paper that is at least 80 lb/130 g/m or heavier, as they can withstand several layers of drawing and erasing :)

[@ritahorne9739]

I have a knead eraser and it was hard. I broke it apart thinking it would soften when rolling it with my fingers. Didn't work.

[@TheDrawingSource]

How odd, Rita, I can't say that I've had that experience! I hope you found another one to try :)

[@dinahnicest6525]

I think "NEEDED" is misspelled. For me, it is anyway.

[@TheDrawingSource]

😆 Needed for me as well! I use it just as much as my pencil throughout my drawing process :)

[@godisdead6611]

So basically it’s only useful for erasing light shading.

[@TheDrawingSource]

Generally speaking, it is most effective when erasing light to mid-tone values, yes, though it will certainly at least lighten dark values, if not erase them completely.

[@annecastro1786]

wha- 69 comments

[@lilieneendriga8348]

I thought I got clay instead of an eraser

[@TheDrawingSource]

Woops! Nope, you're probably good XD

[@StudyWithPrince1]

Thanks