Do you think it is best to use a blending tortillon in order to get the most realistic rendering...?

Question

in a pencil drawing?

I mostly am curious to see if any professional artists or art students will answer.

Answer 1

2 great reasons to use a stomp or tortillon:
- You can get into those tight corners where your fingertip won't go
- You won't contaminate the surface with oil from your fingers or excessive graphite.

Cheap trick: tortillons & stomps are most easily cleaned with fine sandpaper.

Personally, I don't "smudge" my graphite - at least, not on purpose! Instead, I create value shifts with the graphite alone, building gradually from light to dark. It's just my style, that's all. Also, some artists reduce value & reclaim whites with a kneaded eraser instead of smudging.

In the end, there are no rules - go with what feels good for you as you find your own style.

Answer 2

Probably, but some pencil artists like to use fine and carefully rendered hatching that can still be quite realistic.

Answer 3

yes, in pencil, charcoal, pastels the blending tortillion can get into those areas where you really want to punch in some value (shading). tortillions can be sharpened also try using some of those tiny makeup brushes made out of foam to tone down and soften areas of your drawing or painting you may want to fade into the background..good luck!