What Is Frottage?

Frottage is the act of rubbing to create a texture.

So, if you rub your pencil over paper when you have an object beneath the paper, you will end up with some interesting shapes and textures.

A simple example of this would be to place a coin under your paper then rub over it with your pencil.

It is also called "rubbings."

Some people may refer to it as an embossing technique because you can create a 3D design on a 2D surface.

To start your experiment, collect various items with different textures. So, things like bits of wood, leaves, or a piece of lace. Anything will do, so long as it sits reasonably flat under your paper.

A 2B pencil is probably the best grade pencil to start with.

I tried a piece of wood for my first test. I think it has the most interesting texture of all.

Rub the side of your pencil over the paper, where the wood is sitting beneath it.

Watch the pattern emerging on your paper.

I used the wood on an old church pew to create this drawing.

I don't know about you, but I can see a grove of trees!

That was apparent as soon as I finished rubbing.

Now try rubbing in a different direction.

Do you notice that you end up with a different pattern?

For this drawing, I turned my paper sideways and rubbed the same spot on the pew.

The first thing I noticed was that I ended up with a great drawing of cirrus clouds.

My friend saw water ebbing onto the beach.

Do you find it fascinating?

As an experiment, feel the object you are about to rub. Try to imagine what pattern will emerge. Now, rub over it. It looks nothing like you thought, does it? The lights and darks look just fabulous.

Try testing every different grade of pencil using different directions.

Plain photo copying paper is probably the best paper to use. Frottage wouldn't work to its fullest potential if your paper is too thick.

Look at your paper where you've tried all the different items you've rubbed. You can see all sorts of images and formations - just like when you look at clouds.

Do a landscape sketch and use frottage to give different objects an interesting look.

This example here is from the laminate on my kitchen bench.

I look at it and think it would be good to use as the ground in my next landscape.

Even if you rub wood to do the trunk of a tree, it would look interesting.

Once you get the hang of it, you don't have to limit yourself to tree trunks. Your imagination will take hold and the opportunities to use frottage would be endless.

This rubbing is from a ceramic spoon rest. I rubbed the end that was shaped like radish leaves.

I couldn't see what it was until my husband pointed out that he could see penguins. Ah yes, now I can see the penguins. Can you?

I hope you have a great time experimenting with frottage drawings.

If you are extremely excited with your results, you may like to send it in by using the invitation on my pencil drawings page. It's free to participate.

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