[william]

Hi
Ok the problem is, when i draw, the pencil marks are kinda embedded into the paper if you know what i mean...like i have a hard time erasing that "scar"...which leads to a dirty piece of paper and i'll have a hard time visualizing the entire picture, since i keep getting distracted by the darkish grey lines.
i guess i have a hard stroke. I've tried to draw lightly, but i notice i can't control the pencil as smoothly as to a hard stroke. Are there any specific materials i could use to reduce this effect?
Right now i'm just using simple materials:
a woodbridge 9" x 12" sketch pad (the paper is kinda thick compared to normal printing paper)
a simple 0.5 mechanical pencil
a kneaded eraser
a staedtler sketching mechanical pencil(the one with a very thick lead)

any ideas?
thanks

[Syd]

Hmm...

Well i don't know if your paper has anything to do with it (so that might be it).

But, I'd say try to not use a thick leaded mech. pencil, maybe that would be leaving dark marks behind even after erasing.
Also kneaded erasers are usually better for dabbing away at lead not fully erasing it. Try one of those "art gum" erasers, they always work good for me.

Just some suggestions...hope they can help.
_________________
The madcap laughed...

[william]

cool
thanks for the reply. I'll go and get myself an art gum tomorrow i guess hehe
I was wondering...is there a type of pencil or lead where it's just VERY light. So that even if I have hard strokes, the lines will still be light. Sorry if i'm asking all these newbie questions...
thanks!!

[Inspector Lee]

Yes. Get pencils that are "hardness H" (as opposed to B or HB). These have hard leads in them which are only capable of making a fairly light mark even if you really bare down on them.
_________________
Smokey, this is not 'Nam this is bowling. There are rules.