An Artist Tortillion is a tightly wound fibrous paper with a pointed end used for blending artist graphites, charcoals or pastel materials. It replaces the artist's finger which can at times leave oils produced by the human body and damage artworks.

Tortillions are made in different sizes to suit ones artist needs. Depending on the manufacturer they may be listed such as 860 small, medium and large.

Tortillion Blending Techniques

Don't throw out those Tortillions that you've used and are really saturated with dark rich graphite or other heavy artist medium. At some point in time you will find yourself looking for that single dirty Tortillion for a special artwork your creating. Keep your used Tortillions in a safe place within reach.

This is particularly the case when it comes to blending.

For sharpening the tips of Tortillions it is not recommended using your regular every day pencil sharpener. Doing so will ruin your Tortillions. A proper art tool to use for resurfacing Tortillion tips would be what is known as a Sandpaper Block, Sanding Paddle or Sandpaper Pointer.