How Do I Protect My Eraser?
Protecting your eraser is simple and helps extend its life and effectiveness. The primary ways to protect your eraser involve proper storage and handling.
Keeping your eraser in good condition ensures it stays clean, pliable (if it's a kneaded eraser), and ready for use without transferring dirt or oil onto your artwork.
Proper Storage
Storing your eraser correctly is one of the most effective protection methods. The best approach depends on the type of eraser you have, but generally, keeping it in a dedicated space is beneficial.
- For Kneaded Erasers: These erasers benefit greatly from being stored in a container to prevent them from drying out, picking up debris, or sticking to other items. As shown in drawing tips videos, a small plastic container, like one that previously held a free makeup sample, is mentioned as perfect for storing kneaded erasers. The idea is to find a small, airtight or semi-airtight container. Look around your kitchen or bathroom for creative solutions; small tins, plastic boxes, or even repurposed containers can work well.
- For Other Erasers (Vinyl, Rubber, etc.): While not as sensitive as kneaded erasers, these also benefit from storage.
- Keep them in a pencil case or box with your other supplies.
- Avoid storing them directly touching pencils (especially graphite) or charcoal, as they can pick up the pigment.
- Original packaging or sleeves can offer some protection.
Keeping Them Clean
Erasers work by lifting pigment, which means they can get dirty over time.
- Kneaded Erasers: When a kneaded eraser becomes saturated with graphite or charcoal, fold and knead it until a clean surface appears. The container storage mentioned earlier helps keep them clean between uses.
- Other Erasers: The edges of vinyl or rubber erasers can be cleaned by rubbing them on a clean piece of scrap paper until the dirty layer is removed.
Avoiding Harsh Conditions
Exposure to certain environmental factors can degrade your eraser.
- Heat and Sunlight: Avoid leaving erasers in direct sunlight or hot places (like a car dashboard), as this can cause them to harden, crumble, or melt.
- Moisture: While a little humidity is fine, excessive moisture can also affect the texture and effectiveness of some erasers.
By implementing these simple storage and care techniques, you can ensure your eraser remains in optimal condition for removing marks cleanly and efficiently.
