Technical drawings, graphic images and sketches can be created using a variety of instruments, ranging from traditional tools such as pencils, compasses, rulers and a variety of triangles as well as by computer. Drawing tools are used to make accurate and legible drawings and models. Whilst the computer can be used for most drawing and modeling requirements today, traditional drawing instruments such as those mentioned above are still important very important, particularly for freehand sketching and experimenting with shapes and lines. When drawing, sketching or attempting basic graphics work the pieces of equipment shown below are very useful and often essential. Specialty – fibreglass pen, cleaning cushion with eraser dust for cleaning up a whole sheet of dirty paper, erasing knife or razor blade and more Dark graphite and coloured pencil can best be removed by using two steps: press/lift with a putty rubber until no more will come off and then finish with a plastic or rubber eraser.

An eraser shield is a thin sheet of stainless steel or plastic with slots and holes of different shapes. They are designed to allow erasers to be used through them to erase lines and text without removing lines close by which do not need to be (or should not be) erased. What is the use of eraser in drafting? I like these but found the brushes on the ends weren’t very good, for a small area a soft paintbrush works better and for a large one a dusting brush is better.How it performed: Best one on graphite lines and same as the others on coloured pencil. Fine on removing the graphite under pigment liner pens and didn’t lighten the ink. It didn’t remove too much watercolour paint but didn’t erase the graphite at all so was bad at that task. Was very hard to knead between dabs and rubs. The next leap forward in the evolution of erasers, happened in 1839 when Charles Goodyear, (yes that Goodyear), discovered a process called vulcanisation that cured rubber, making it durable. A circle template is used to draw circles of set diameters. They are particularly useful if the circle is to small to be able to use a compass. They are plastic with a number of accurate circles cut out. The circle template has its centers indicated at the edge of the circle. These are used to assist in locating the template accurately on your drawing. The diameter is selected and a sharp pencil is used to draw the circle or arc. Diagram 10 – Circle Template

Interesting fact no. 1: the original eraser was a squashed up piece of soft bread. You can still use bread if you don’t have a rubber, just pinch out the centre of a slice. Rubber, gum or vinyl erasers can cause smudges as graphite is a lubricant and the act of rubbing, (especially if there is lots of graphite to be removed), can smear the graphite across the paper and drive it deeper into the tooth. Use these erasers only after you’ve removed excess graphite with the kneaded or putty eraser. How it performed: Worked moderately well when rubbed or when pressed and lifted. Best on the light lines of graphite, not so well on the dark. Fine on press and lift for coloured pencil lightening. Fine on removing the graphite under pigment liner pens and didn’t lighten the ink. Removed the graphite under the watercolour with a bit more damage to the paint than the one above. Felt abrasive. Faber Castell Perfection Pencil, Single Ended Eraser (soft for graphite, coloured pencils and charcoal)If the eraser is very greasy and dirty, one can use a craft knife to trim away the ends. To clean a kneadable eraser, you need to stretch and fold the eraser like putty, so that a fresh surface is created. After a while, the eraser becomes saturated and you will need to replace it. Caran D’ache Design Eraser for Graphite and Coloured Pencils (phthalate free) – non-abrasive, not for ink A clean sharp-edged vinyl or rubber eraser which can be re-cut periodically to form a fresh clean edge, is handy when sharp thin lines need to be lifted out.