Hi,

I started painting last year but would like to start drawing again.
One site I've seen suggests it's a bad idea to blend with fingers as it can transfer oil.
I always used to use my fingers.
What does everyone else use?

Thanks
Andrea

I've used both kleenex and paper blending stumps. I think the blending stumps work better, but kleenex works well too.

The ideas are practically endless when it comes to blending materials, it all depends on the level of 'blendness' you want to achieve...is 'blendness' even a word??

Anyhow I digress...I just a simple stump for most work, along with Q-tips, cotton balls, kleenex (watch the treated kind), kneaded erasers and even scrap paper...there are also suggestions to use felt, chamois, and even leather for different effects.

You are right about the oils in the skin, they can certainly mess up anotherwise wonderful drawing...

Thanks guys, will give a few things a go and see what I get on with!

Andrea

I love to blend with chamoise or soft leather. That makes the blended area very smooth - very good for sky.

Some artists blend even with a cotton towel. I can't imgaine that, but it seems to be possible.

Every blending tool has a different effect. Try them out and have a lot fun.

Hey,

I didnt know all those things could be used

I use cotton wool buds, thingies you clean your ear with, i get some odd looks when they fall out my pencil case at school, but they sure do work!

Have fun testing the suggestions out, let us know which one you like best

Cheers

AndyBuck

So far, have tried the cotton buds & blending sticks. I prefer the cotton buds personally.
I just started the dogs eye lesson; I haven't done any pencil drawing for nearly 20years!
I think I need to buy rougher paper though as my high HB pencils aren't really holding.
Will post it when I'm finished for comments

Andrea