here are the erasing exercises Mike , once again thank you for the great understanding and for criticising me on the forum so i can keep doing the work and finish the course. I have no idea why but my scanner really had a bad time working on these exercises. I think i really need a better one. I used blu tack on all exercises except the awfull hair one.

Thanks

Pedro

Hi Pedro. Good to see you working your way though this.

Left to Right...

EXTREME LEFT - EXERCISE 3 (lines)
I can SEE it's Blu-Tack Good sharp edges and clean removal of graphite - typical of Blu-Tack. You've achieved a nice range of lines too - both narrow and wide.

LEFT - EXERCISE 2
Not an easy one to scan - most domestic scanners will ignore the lightest 10% of the data. As far as I can see, this has worked pout well for you. The technique is worth knowing about, although I find it's rarely useful, because it produces wooly edges to the erased lines and the eraser often drags graphite with it. But your erased lines appear to be clean and sharp so - well done. One thing this technique does allow (which is why I chose for you to do this particular exercise) is the "drawing" of fluid spontaneous lines.

RIGHT - EXERCISE 3 (spots)
Again, nice clean edges and good removal. A good variety of sizes too. You might be surprised how small a spot Blu-Tack can erase - especially if you use a cool piece. I keep one ball in a pot by my drawing board and one in my left hand, so I can choose warm or cool at any time. Warm removes more graphite but is softer, so it doesn't hold a formed shape for as long.

EXTREME RIGHT - "tree/branch"
I like this. The technique leads to all sorts of accidental shapes and forms, and i this case it has created a good three-dimensional feeling. I like the "hole" in the tree too

BOTTOM - EXERCISE 4
It looks as though you enjoyed yourself
I like the result. Lots of interesting bark texture, random leaves and twisting blades of grass. Well done!

Keep experimenting with this technique. You'll be surprised just how often it solves a problem or performs a job well.

Hello Mike , thank you for the reply , I had a little fun with blu tack ! its really a weird material to use at first , nothing like im used to. I found out you have to use it almost like a " glue " of some sort. My only difficulty is doing small things , like leafs. I would roll up a ball , a really tiny one , with the shape i wanted and press it on the paper. But i encountered some problems :

I found out like you said , that blu is not really about pressure like other erasers , the thing is , if you press a little more to the paper , it will hold more graphite that if you press it very slightly and remove it.

So when i wanted really white leafs , it was very hard , since i rolled up the blu tack to such a small shape , when i would press it , it would " enlarge " and i wouldnt get the shape i wanted. Even if it was cold ball.

any advice for this?


another thing , i really didnt like using the " pen eraser " for the hair, a couple days later i tried it with a kneadable eraser and liked it much more. Is it a good solid alternative for it?

thank you!

Pedro

Well, we differ there. I always pull a finger out of a full ball of Blu-Tack and then twist the end in my fingers to a fine point. That way I've got the whole ball to act as a handle. And if the first touch to the graphite doesn't lift enough, I just twist a new point and try again... and again


It will, but Blu-Tack really works best by just touching it to graphite - very lightly. If you press, you will just flatten the point on the Blu-Tack.


Exactly! So use the whole ball as I described.


That's just as it should be. Some tools work for some artists and not for you. I was just introducing you to that method, but you must use whatever works best for you - and that comes with experimentation and practise.

Thank you Mike ! that should solve all my problems!