How To Use A Blending Stump Properly (And How To Clean Them)

There are two key factors to getting a smooth finish when using a blending stump: the first is having good shading technique. The second trick to blending is to use light pressure. Press too hard and you'll damage the paper and get a blotchy, uneven mess!
In this video I'll demonstrate three ways to use blending stumps effectively to blend shading in your drawings. I'll also show you the best way to clean blending stumps while you are drawing and what to do when they get too dirty.
00:20 What Are Blending Stumps And Tortillons?
01:32 Technique 1: Smoothing One Value
02:03 Technique 2: Blend Two Values
02:48 Technique 3: Soften Hard Edges
03:12 How To Clean Blending Stumps
🎥 Before you can blend well, you need to be able to shade well! If you aren't yet confident with shading light and dark values, you should check out this video: Test Your Shading Skills! Plus Shading Exercises For Beginners • Test Your Shading Skil...
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✏️ Soft Serve Icecream Cone Tutorial on Shading & Blending ($16) available here: thepencilroomonline.podia.com...
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👉 PRODUCT LINKS:
Blending Stump & Tortillon Set With Sandpaper Included: amzn.to/3O5po6B Blending stumps vary a lot between brands. If you want to try them out, I'd suggest getting a cheap set like this and give them ago before buying individual sizes from an art store.
Tombow Mono Zero Eraser Pen amzn.to/39UqOQr
Tombow Mono Pencil Set incl sharpener: amzn.to/3LBN2FJ
Tombow Mono Pencil Set incl Eraser Pen (pencils require sharpening): amzn.to/3LDxodT
Staedtler Mars Technico, comes with a 2mm HB lead and has a sharpener in the top amzn.to/3iJvoVx I use 4B leads (pack of 12): amzn.to/3VLFuDZ
Faber Castell Kneadable Eraser: amzn.to/3OE9kGM
Some items may be affiliate links which means I receive a small commission if you purchase via the link. I only list products I use and recommend.

[@MythBoyPro]

I want a video of pencil colour blending

[@robloxlover5761]

Search it lol

[@chitrasangle]

Ok 😂 jsnjxndjdnhdjdodnidkdoka

[@jorgeguberte]

I do not know how to use a blending stump properly, it always comes out as a smudge. I'll apply these techniques. Thank you. Cheers from Brazil!

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

Best thing is actually to learn to shade without using them at all to start with. They should really only be used once you already have the correct shading down, just to smooth things out a little bit. If its very smudgy, it could be not shading enough, or the paper and pencil types. Sometimes I find just a piece of tissue or a soft paint brush or a Q-tip works well too, so try different things (just not your finger!) 🙂

[@jorgeguberte]

@@ThePencilRoomOnline Awesome, thank you! I do need to practice shading, I'm very much a complete beginner.

[@MRBRADART]

Great tips and advice! 😊

[@joan_artandnature3646]

Thanks for sharing 🥰

[@kcphotographystudios8836]

Hi Emily! Thanks for sharing this. Very informative!

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

Hello again, glad it was helpful! Hope you are well 😊

[@Zothiqueness]

Thank you very helpful.

[@sharonh988]

Thank You.

[@trudychinn8980]

Excellent explanation, thank you

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

You're welcome and thanks for watching!

[@Ariashi-san]

This helped sm!! Thank youuu!!

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching 😊

[@billinrio]

Very useful for one just getting started with charcoal drawing. I can't place your accent, but I love it!

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

Ha thanks its a New Zealand accent with a few years of Ireland thrown in 😆

[@sunflower711]

Thank you for the tips.👌

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

You're most welcome 🙂

[@Ctatarelli]

Thank you!!

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

You're welcome 😊

[@marialuisa5200]

Grazie!!!

[@lesleyevans6938]

Thanks Emily x

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

You're welcome 😊

[@canwith_]

Hi! Congratulations for 20k🎉❤ subs .Nice advice and great tips😊🎉🎉can you also make a video of how to blend pencil colours please?😅

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

Thanks! 🎉 Coloured pencils are not my area of expertise sorry but try this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpa8mqeNpaZpkLcsi=GU7PSL1b5Ak-sHGn

[@mmiadragonz]

I prefer using qtips for small detail areas or make up remover pads folded over for larger areas

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

Q-tips work great and are cheap. I sometimes just use a piece of tissue for larger areas - haven't tried using make up remover pads but I imagine they would work even better!

[@CoeurD_Amaris22]

Can you use these with colored pencils or are there other tools specifically for blending colored pencil? Thank you!

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

These are best for graphite pencil or anything powdery like charcoal or pastel pencils. Regular coloured pencils are usually wax or oil based so other than careful layering, you can use solvents or some brands sell a colourless pencil for blending coloured pencils - not my area of expertise tho so best to find a channel focusing specifically on coloured pencil techniques!

[@amexjam55]

Hello. What size(s) of blending stumps/tortillons would you recommend for beginners to use. Thank you.

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

It really depends on how big the area you are drawing is. The bigger ones can be quite cumbersome so Id go for a medium to small size like a #2. Not sure if the numbering system is always consistent!

[@manimations9219]

Hello, can i use your video for my website, its for educational purpose, by the way great video 😊

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

Hi, feel free to link to or embed the video using the Share button but please don't download it. Thanks for asking!

[@SamA-xu9gy]

I heard advice that it is not preferable to use this tool of blending in drawing. What is your opinion ?

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

Hi Sam, I think they can be useful in certain situations if they are used correctly... There are many reasons not to use them: If they are overused then the drawing will be grey and bland If the shading is not done correctly first, the result will be blotchy If the paper is not quality or if the user pushes too hard then it will also be blotchy But, there are times when I find them handy, particularly when blending small details or smooth curves like in the icecream tutorial in the video. So I think they have a place but only use them where it is suitable. It's worth trying them out to see if they suit the drawings you do. You can also get a similar result (and faster) just by gently rubbing a tissue over your shading. Thanks for your question!

[@ravenshadowz2343]

Do you sharpen tortillons the same way as blending stumps?

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

You probably can but I don't sharpen the tortillons. They tend to get a bit fluffy when you use sandpaper to clean them, because of the ridges of paper. Tortillons also have a slightly rounded end which is quite nice to work with so I just rub them clean on a spare piece of paper :)

[@appleknocker56]

I can’t find any colored pencils (graphite) not big at drawing but practicing. Do these blending stumps get old & not work? As tried my best to blend just two colors (Prisma) & pressure had to use for “poor” results feel try using a lil stick (burn at tip) & is that same as “graphite”? As had colored pencils in 2016 that did put something down. Then try to find “decent” pencil for light “easier to erase” for watercolor drawings & now using one my grandfather had in the 40’s. Great tips as like to shade images first so know shadows/highlight’s. Ty.

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

Blending stumps don't stop working but they will get dirty and need to be cleaned or sanded down. I wouldn't use them for blending coloured pencils as you would have to sand them between each different colour or things will get muddy. For tips on blending coloured pencils and best coloured pencils check out Sarah Renae Clark kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKrZ42Mbb-EgK8si=SGQiA2U3YGQgVDRy Coloured pencils are wax or oil mixed with pigment. Graphite pencils generally only come in shades of grey :)

[@Gamer_sukh657]

Price?

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

Blending stumps are pretty cheap, just a couple of dollars here, or you can make your own using rolled up paper!

[@larisa7287]

В русском варианте нет таких уроков?

[@ThePencilRoomOnline]

If you are wanting translated captions you should be able to access these from the settings. Turn the english subtitles on first. Then go back to the settings again and choose Auto Translate and choose your preferred language :)

[@VinodKumar-jj5dq]

Hindi m