A Feature To Use In Pencil Drawings

Here's something different to try when you start your next pencil drawing.

Have you heard of frottage? It is the act of rubbing to create a texture.
So, if I placed paper over a coin and rubbed my pencil over the impression, I would have a frottage. Some people refer to it as "rubbings." It is similar to an embossing technique because you can create a 3D design on a 2D surface.

Kick start this little venture by collecting various items with different textures. That would be things like bits of wood, leaves or scraps of lace. Anything that sits reasonably flat under your paper. A 2B pencil is probably the best grade pencil to start with.
Let's try a piece of wood, first. I think wood has the most interesting texture of all. Then again, I haven't finished my search yet so that could be a broad statement. I'd love to hear from you if you discover something really good.

Rub the side of your pencil over the paper, where the wood is sitting beneath it. Watch the pattern emerging on your paper. Now, rub in a different direction. Notice that you end up with a different pattern.

Isn't it fascinating?

Do an experiment and feel the object you are about to rub. Imagine what pattern you think will emerge. Now, rub over it. It looks nothing like you thought, does it? The lights and darks look fabulous, as well.

Go ahead and test every different grade of pencil using different directions. It would be advisable to use plain copying paper. Frottage wouldn't work to its fullest potential if you have thick paper.

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. Even if you use wood to do the trunk of a tree, it would look very intriguing. I don't recommend that you be so predictable but it would be a good starting place. Once you get the hang of it, you don't have to limit yourself that way.

The sky is the limit with this feature. Enjoy experimenting with this little project.

Author Kerry Godsall is the webmaster at http://www.allaboutdrawings.com where you'll find plenty of easy pencil drawings to copy. If you want more ideas and drawing tips, you can have access to these when you sign up for the free newsletter

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