Some of the Best Tools for Blending Graphite Drawings

Blending Tools for Graphite:

Blending is such an important part of drawing while working with graphite that I cannot emphasize it enough. Why is that? You may ask now. When we are working with graphite pencils especially when it comes to realistic drawings we are bound to work in layers, when working in layers we need to make sure, the layers beneath are smooth enough to add more on top of them. So for that purpose we need to use some kind of blending aid.
Below are some of the blending tools I myself have been using for quite a long time and so can you?

1. Tissue:

No other blending tool might be as easily accessible as tissue papers. Tissue can be used a replacement in the absence of some other better quality blending tools.

Blending with tissue paper is pretty easy, all you have to do is fold a piece of tissue and wrap it around your finger and rub it onto the surface of your drawing paper.

2. Cotton swabs:

Cotton swabs are another pretty common blending tool for graphite drawings

3. Blending Stumps:

I have never personally used blending stumps but they are specifically designed to blend the graphite layers into your drawing paper and they are available in a range of different sizes.

4. Blending brushes

Blending brushes are my personal favorite blending tool, when it comes to working on a larger surface areas like drawing skin in portraits. I prefer using makeup brushes for that purpose as they have really smooth and soft bristles that give a smooth texture to the graphite and remove any graininess.