How to Make a Blending Stump / Tortillon

In this tutorial I will show you a very easy way to make a blending stump. One that you can make within seconds, it is adjustable and easy to clean - no more sanding trimming with a knife.
I then also show you the best ways to use your blending stump.
If you enjoyed this lesson please consider becoming a Patron on my website:
onlineartlessons.com
There I have hundreds of draw and paint along lessons for you to follow.
how to make a blending stump, blending stump making, how to make a tortillon, blend tutorial, pencil drawing lesson, pencil drawing tutorials, pencil drawing hints, pencil drawing tips, pencil drawing hacks, paint basket, nolan clark

[@fruitytarian]

I just bought some oil pastels and was watching some following along tutorials on KZbin. They used a blending stump but I didn't have one, now thanks to your video I made my own that works great! 🙂

[@PaintBasket]

Yay, good luck with your oil pastel journey

[@christinahelliwell5864]

Superb! One of the best and most useful 'how-tos' for graphite artists on KZbin. Many thanks for sharing, Nolan.

[@PaintBasket]

Wow, thanks for the compliment Christina! I am glad it was helpful :)

[@Zentio_Builds]

This is best blend stomp tutorial thanks this was so easy to follow and not even wasting time at all

[@PaintBasket]

and cheap too :)

[@Zentio_Builds]

@@PaintBasket yep

[@SSNUTHIN]

Edit: I rewatched the video and realized he suggested photo copy paper opposed to photo paper so I guess it's safe to say the Canson XL paper is being extra. Keeping up the original post as a lesson learned, it's okay to misunderstand as long as you are willing to continue trying to understand. * * * I tested 3 different stump tutorials tonight and this one is by far my favorite. The blends look like watercolor on regular printer paper I can't wait to try this in my nice sketchbook. I ended up using a piece of canson xl mixed media paper since I figured it would have a similar weight to a nice photo paper and I think it served me well. For folks that don't have photo paper try finding a thicker soft paper (think cardstock). It may not loose the tape as willingly as photo paper but it can save you a trip to the store. Thank you for sharing your knowledge you've got a new subscriber in me. 😁

[@PaintBasket]

In fact using a piece of board or photo paper may just work great because it is a bit more rigid than standard photocopy paper. I will have to test that myself :)

[@melissal7984]

This tutorial was so helpful! Thank-you so much for sharing this with us!

[@PaintBasket]

You are so welcome!

[@nancyfleming4822]

Awesome double tutorial. Keep them coming, Nolan!

[@PaintBasket]

Thanks! Will do Nancy

[@christinecho8149]

Thank you so much for this useful tips and detailed examples !!

[@PaintBasket]

Glad it was helpful Christine :)

[@mirianbertaska7170]

Thank you for helping me save some money and for teaching me the techniques on how to use it.As always, to the point!

[@PaintBasket]

Happy to help!

[@dekay929]

As always such valuable information thanks Nolan.

[@PaintBasket]

Glad it was helpful :)

[@patriciawilson5289]

Love this great Idea works really well thank you for sharing

[@PaintBasket]

You are so welcome Patricia :)

[@ciarakrieger8923]

This blender works really good!

[@PaintBasket]

Glad to hear it!

[@louisarautenbach6782]

Wow thank you SO much Nolan.

[@PaintBasket]

My pleasure Louisa

[@riverjacobs2023]

I really appreciate this tutorial! Not only did you teach me what I came for, I left with even more knowledge than I had about something I didn't even know I'd learn about?! I had no clue that different pencils like that would help reduce overworking the paper. I have a pencil currently thats a 2H pencil, and when I read about blending years and years ago they made it sound like the pencils were just for different artist levels. 😂 I think the book must have thoroughly confused me there; and so I only used one or two pencil grades, cause I thought "I only need one type of pencil to draw really good details until I get better" 😂😂 This sounds so silly, but granted I'm only 22 and a hobby artist 😅 Live and learn 😂😂

[@riverjacobs2023]

It is funny though cause I do remember learning about blending with different textures, however. I think that this explains why I struggled today when I tried to get back into trying realism and shading 😅

[@PaintBasket]

I am glad the lesson helped you. What I suggest you do is watch this video on my drawing channel where I explain about the different grades of pencils: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJTdlJWjrsanaqs It part of a free drawing course so you are welcome to follow the rest of the lessons as well :) Good luck

[@margaretheskin6060]

A really useful tip.Thank you.

[@PaintBasket]

Glad it was helpful!

[@elegantartzone7505]

Really Informative for artists! Thanks alot for sharing it, stay blessed n happy to support you ✨

[@PaintBasket]

Thank you so much 😀 and good luck with your channel too!

[@jennanaron4643]

This was super useful! You answered questions I didn’t know I had. Thanks!

[@PaintBasket]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zeee2475]

Thank you so much! I need this for my x-mas comp art thanks!

[@PaintBasket]

Good luck!

[@youreverydaysoulessgremlin5974]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I've been searching for a few different tutorials on this, but they all required something I didn't have

[@PaintBasket]

You're very welcome! That's what is nice about these blenders - you always have one at hand as it literally only takes seconds to make one.

[@fatimamohamedrafiq1759]

this is a life saver my stump just broke and I would not have finished it without this video

[@PaintBasket]

glad it helped you Fatima :)

[@georgi7237]

So talented! Thank you ☺️ This has worked great for me

[@PaintBasket]

You’re welcome 😊

[@inconceivableabysses]

Thank you so much for uploading this. It's enormously helpful, as I wait for my smudge sticks from Amazon.

[@PaintBasket]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MaryGadsby]

wow this is just great thank you!

[@PaintBasket]

You're very welcome!

[@sy2.083]

Brilliant, thank you!!!

[@PaintBasket]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NewTica]

Very clever. Thanks.

[@PaintBasket]

Glad it was helpful!

[@iamaletha9946]

❤ Thank you so much! Excellent 🎉❤

[@PaintBasket]

You are so welcome!

[@jenniferwong4530]

Great video! Going to try this today!

[@PaintBasket]

Let me know how the blender works for you Jennifer

[@annaolson4828]

I've created a lot of excess scrap paper as part of my job and now I know what to do with it! Many thanks

[@PaintBasket]

Free blenders for you then :)

[@23lucymae]

Wow! Thank you so much.

[@PaintBasket]

You are so welcome Lucy :)

[@sabahss9474]

Very very thanks

[@PaintBasket]

Most welcome

[@sushmagautam5177]

Your ideas are best.i want to make blending stump.

[@PaintBasket]

You can do it!

[@musika7777]

So simple yet SO effective. Thank you.

[@PaintBasket]

it is eh? Thank you

[@snowartmom]

Very cool!

[@PaintBasket]

Thank you :)

[@sankardas8576]

Thank you very much

[@PaintBasket]

You are welcome

[@susantaloha390]

This is awesome! Really, this video is very helpful to me.. Thank you so much.... Best of luck!

[@PaintBasket]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nuzhatjabeen1561]

Was really quick and easy to make And it's actually working 100 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@PaintBasket]

awesome :)

[@ashleighzee1611]

Thank you!

[@PaintBasket]

You're welcome!

[@emmanuelperaltapaintings6371]

Awesome DIY blending stump tutorial. Definitely I will make one.😊 thanks for sharing!❤

[@PaintBasket]

You will enjoy using this one :)

[@zanariashutes4841]

I was making one while watching it it is really helpful

[@Spoonwranglerz]

You saved my ass with this video today! Thanks!

[@PaintBasket]

lol, you're welcome :)

[@kumarianjali4158]

Thanks sooo much

[@PaintBasket]

You're welcome!

[@anyeeisdumbbie]

Thanks so much! This tip helped me a lot, I appreciate it. I needed it and u helped me. Thank u so much! ✨ *Bruh I have no words left in my mind*

[@PaintBasket]

Glad I could help!

[@annieo5138]

Thanks for showing how to make these! The ones I bought get dirty so fast and even after cleaning them the way instructe they are still dirty and smudge too dark. It's great to know how to make my own!!

[@PaintBasket]

You are so welcome Annie :)

[@mfffatimapacheco]

Thank you

[@PaintBasket]

You're welcome

[@puzzledbear5848]

Cool thanx for the tutorial. I was going to buy one but then I saw this on my home screen

[@PaintBasket]

Glad I could help

[@rosieartclub]

I made it it is so cool i like it

[@PaintBasket]

Awesome :)

[@angryzio_ind3490]

Thanks sir iam from India ❤ 💖 ❣ 💕

[@PaintBasket]

you're welcome :)

[@flooklh]

Thanks a lot. This made a lot of sense and I love the idea of making my own blending stump. The bought ones are really a lot of work to maintain.

[@PaintBasket]

You will probably find that you won't use your bought ones much anymore too :)

[@flooklh]

@@PaintBasket I'm sure of that. Thank you for the tips. Much appreciated.

[@karriemcintyre7868]

Awesome works 100% better

[@PaintBasket]

Yes it does :)

[@ngodin]

Great tutorial. I do that with newspapers( I am cheap, but there's the risk of the ink smudging your drawings. ) I also appreciated your frugality about trimming the paper to reuse. Thank you.

[@PaintBasket]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cassandrajoymabanan2842]

1000000/10 LOVE 😘😘😘😘😘😘 IT OMG THX SO MUCH I LOVE TO SUPPORT YOU

[@PaintBasket]

I hope that has saved you some money Cassandra :)

[@aimanrathore6215]

You are best

[@PaintBasket]

I am glad you enjoyed the tutorial Aiman :)

[@sabahss9474]

Your a super man

[@ellisplayzroblox6920]

Wow this was like a year ago but yet probs the best thing I have learned to make in 2021 its Fantastic! I am trying it now I will let yall know if it works.......So bye for now! 😏 Nvm it works rlly well tysm I was just about to spend 14 pound on like 30 of those tysm!

[@PaintBasket]

Great to hear!

[@akattie7345]

Thx

[@PaintBasket]

Any time

[@jameshaferkamp5664]

Thank you so much!! I was using it wrong!!

[@PaintBasket]

Glad I could help James

[@Annisanqdr]

nice! thanks for sharing. keep it up. lets stay in touch and have a great day 💜

[@PaintBasket]

Thank you, I will

[@nuzhatjabeen1561]

Just gonna make it and give it a review

[@prateekkaushik8738]

You are genuis

[@PaintBasket]

lol, I wish ;)

[@artpet1974]

Great demo and useful information!

[@PaintBasket]

Glad it was helpful Cindy

[@bigbirdiesofficial9554]

im making it

[@PaintBasket]

let me know how it works for you

[@MillywiggZ]

I tried to make my own the other day and the results are too disturbing to post here. Thanks for showing us the proper way!

[@PaintBasket]

My pleasure 😊

[@jdm_4795]

I like how gentle you're with your pencils and stumps.

[@PaintBasket]

the only time I press hard is right at the end of a drawing to get the darkest tonal values.

[@calmdown4524]

That’s because that stump is so flimsy it’ll break with the slightest pressure

[@mindtricks7715]

Yey

[@isaiahnavarro2536]

Heyo nice vid!

[@PaintBasket]

Thank you

[@jaswinder22azjaswinder84]

I want to like your video more time

[@PaintBasket]

thank you :)

[@pamthetraveler7224]

Thank you, excellent tutorial. I’m intrigued with your accent. We just watched The Last Kingdom and your accent is just like Uhtred who was Saxon and Dane. Viking clipped words. May I ask what you consider your accent, what your first language is?

[@PaintBasket]

Thank you! 😃I was born in South Africa which has 11 official languages each with their own accents. My accent is an English speaking South African accent.

[@pamthetraveler7224]

@@PaintBasket you are right about different accents. My dear friend was raised in South Africa and has a more British accent but with just enough odd twist that people ask her too.

[@samonto10]

Bura dadu OP

[@gabrielazucar2262]

Gracias!!!!!

[@PaintBasket]

Thank you too Gabriela :)

[@stefaniavala6663]

Can you use regular tape?

[@PaintBasket]

any tape that will hold the rolled paper together will do :)

[@stefaniavala6663]

@@PaintBasket oh thank you:)

[@Agelesslink]

It looks like he goes from dark to light shade when blending. Is it better than going light to dark or does it not really matter? It would seem to me that going dark to light would darken the whole section overall, but I’m an amateur lol

[@PaintBasket]

You normally work from light to dark when drawing, but when you are blending with the stump you are using existing graphite on the paper to blend with. As a result you need to start from the darker area which has excess graphite which you then blend into the lighter area.

[@Agelesslink]

@@PaintBasket thank you. That makes sense

[@Gsoup_official]

Work on oil pastel?

[@PaintBasket]

It should, give it a try and let me know :)

[@Gsoup_official]

@@PaintBasket it works so good thank you

[@chinku84]

What paper to use??

[@PaintBasket]

I use 80gsm paper like photocopy paper, but you can use poster paper as well if you want a stiffer blending stump

[@aayushiprasad9131]

😅

[@artistrahulkrnaik305]

So helpful 😂

[@PaintBasket]

Glad it helped

[@pamryan2261]

PCR

[@PABGVRG]

I was looking for a weed related video and youtube took me here lol

[@PaintBasket]

lmao

[@Luke-bk8hc]

Surely they bend far too easily

[@PaintBasket]

Have you tried making one? I use mine daily and they last for months

[@edgarc3819]

The blender is very weak and you would not be able to put any pressure. Good concept, a waste of a lot of paper.

[@PaintBasket]

Blending with a stump is always a gentle process as you are simply moving loose graphite on the paper to a new area, or using it to smooth out existing graphite. If you find you are wanting to press harder on the stump, that is you signal to use a pencil instead :)

[@_fat3mahh]

the paper wasn’t blending fail ❌ im sticking to Q tips

[@PaintBasket]

Can you upload a video to show me then I can help you from there