Excavate a Digital Drawing
Reveal a picture by erasing parts of a dark digital layer.
- 15–30 minutes
- No setup
- Easy to pause
- Seated friendly
- No cleanup
- Low effort
What you need
Use an existing drawing app with a brush, eraser, and layers. No paid assets are needed.
- computer
Make it
Use an existing drawing app with a brush, eraser, and layers. No paid assets are needed.
- 1
Create a light background and a separate layer above it. Cover the upper layer with a dark color.
- 2
Choose a broad eraser and remove a few areas from the dark layer, revealing the light below.
- 3
Let the openings suggest a shape or composition. Continue by removing more, rather than adding marks.
- 4
Save your image with some dark areas left intact.
Short on energy? Erase one broad path through the dark layer.
A good place to stop: Three openings that feel interesting together make a finished study.
Make it work for you: Zoom in and use a large eraser. If your app lacks layers, draw light marks on a dark background for a similar result.
Another route: Use a brightly colored lower layer instead of a pale one.