Drawing with an Eraser?

Create Together

There are lots of ways to create a drawing. Have you ever erased a drawing to create one? Today we’re going to explore subtractive drawing. Subtractive drawing is a type of technique where you cover a surface with graphite (the stuff inside your pencil) or charcoal (the kind you draw with, not the kind you barbeque with) and then erase it to make an image. 

Give it a try! Follow the directions below and check out the video Drawing with an eraser?! on CMOM’s Youtube channel to see an example. 

• First completely cover a piece of paper in charcoal or graphite. Rub your drawing tools all over the page. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to get messy. Try your best to fill the entire page with dark marks. 
  • How many techniques can we use to fill your paper with color? Let’s try scribbling. Or maybe scraping our pencil sideways across the paper. Do you have any of your own techniques you want to share?
  • What’s the best shading method for you? 
• After you have completely covered your paper, now it’s time to use the eraser to create an image of your choice. But what to draw? 

The process of making this picture will feel different since you will be making your image by erasing your previous coloring. Sometimes it’s easier to draw from observation. This means you’re looking at something like your favorite action figure, a car outside your window, your blanket tossed on your bed, or a family member posing for a portrait.

It also doesn’t have to be real or something you’ve seen. It can be a pattern or design you like, something from memory or something from your imagination. 

Now that you’ve learned this technique of erasing in order to create pictures, you can do it as many times as you’d like! 

After you’ve finished, share your creations and make an art gallery in your house to display all of your pictures.