I get way more emails about erasers than on anything else I've blathered here. Everybody goes; holy expletive, that really works! Where'd you get that from? And I tell them; from an artist.
quote:That's why they call them 'erasers.' - the Artist
He painted something on white matte plastic, and it got the same kinda gunk on it as are on those pups. I asked how he cleaned that stuff off, and he reached for an eraser, and went; like that.'
Trust me, you'll see. At that point I'd been using sprays, polishes, unguents and emollients (sorry about that, I just might never have the chance to use those words again. God, I hope not) to clean stuff like that.
The problem is that every single one of us associates erasers with the thingie on the end of a pencil, and we use it that way. Artists don't. Their task is to pick the right tool to remove mistakes without affecting the surface.
I went, like; duh.
I wouldn't lie to you guys, not here. I also feel pretty certain that I can admit to being a certified welder (the dreaded day gig) without worrying about being accused of putting on airs (I've always loved the mental image, from the dire warnings from my grandma about what happens to boys who; put on airs) by a bunch of bass players.
I've welded for many metal artists over the years and one day an artist used one of
these on a finished sculpture that was partially painted with a thick, glossy coat of red. He had a piece of sandpaper in the other hand, and he'd dab the glob over an area, and every once in a while, scuff it briskly against the sandpaper. It was incredible.
I went, like; duh.
It's a brave new world, folks. It got seriously out of hand when I met a guy who detailed cars for auto shows and museums, using
clay. Cotton diapers, a gummy no-PVC phthalate-free glob, and you're set.
Griot's, baby!
But it's the same principle at work. Removing whatever doesn't belong there. No more unguents and emollients. Oops. Ask an artist about erasers. They're cool. Buy 'em lunch. Artists are always hungry.
Dick Blick's the man. Plus, I like using his name as an expletive.
