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 (I used an Australian 20 cent coin) under your paper then rub over it with your pencil. It is also called "rubbings."

Some people may refer to frottage 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. That would be things like bits of wood, leaves, or a piece of lace. Anything will do, so long as it sits reasonably flat under your paper.

"B" grade pencils have a soft lead so they make the best type of pencil to do this experiment successfully.

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.

Ok, now let's try rubbing the same piece of wood, only do it in a different direction. Do you notice that you end up with a different pattern?

I think it looks like a great drawing of cirrus clouds. My friend saw water ebbing onto the beach. Do you find it fascinating?

Inspiring Ideas For You

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.

The example on the right is obtained from the laminate on my kitchen bench. I look at it and think it would be good to use as the ground in a nature drawing.

In your next landscape sketch, you can use frottage to give different objects an interesting look.

Even if you rub a bit of wood to add into a drawing for the trunk of a tree, the effect will be very 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 are 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?

As an idea, you can put your frottage drawings on a gift card. I show how to make a card so join in and use that as a way to show off your newly acquired skills.

Happy experimenting!