Tortillons are actually pieces of paper rolled up in a way so one end forms a point. They are used for rubbing the graphite to shadecertain areas of the drawing.

Some artists prefer just to use their fingers, but I like using these neat little tools because they can get into smaller areas of the drawing when my fingers are too wide. These are also a big hit with students, giving them more control over the graphite when shading.

Tortillons are inexpensive — they only cost about $1.50 for a package of six, and they come in both small and large sizes. I typically use the small ones, and I try to have about three or four on hand. As you rub the paper with the tip, it becomes duller and larger. Don’t throw these away, though, as you can use them on another picture to cover a larger area.