Frottage
A graphic technique for obtaining an imprint of textured surfaces
Frottage is a method of creating an image by rubbing paper placed over a textured object with a pencil or another dry material. This technique allows one to quickly transfer complex textures onto a flat surface — wood, fabric, coins, relief architectural elements. Frottage gained popularity in the 1920s thanks to Max Ernst, who sought new forms of artistic expression in Surrealism.
It is often used in children's art to develop observational skills, but it also appears in professional graphic art. Experiments with frottage sometimes lead to unexpected visual effects and a peculiar "play of chance" — the result is always a bit unpredictable. The technique requires no rare materials and opens up space for imagination.