Frottage

Frottage, or texture rubbing, is one of the oldest forms of printmaking. Each grade level created multiple texture rubbings from a shared assortment of objects in trays. Students placed paper over the objects and used the side edges of color crayons to make a varied textured “ground.”  Using a sharpie pen and creative thinking, they continued to develop imagery that they saw "embedded" within their frottage. Completed frottage drawings ranged from underwater scenes and lively cityscapes to imaginary gardens and fantastical creatures.

Emphasis on the Elements of Art: shape, texture, and color.

California Arts Standards for Public Schools

CREATING—Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. 

1.1 Enduring Understanding: Creativity and innovative thinking are essential life skills that can be developed. 

Essential Question: What conditions, attitudes, and behaviors support creativity and innovative thinking? 

Process Component: Imagine, Plan, Make

Objectives for texture rubbing projects via Davis Digital unit, Explore Found Materials:

“While exploring the process of texture rubbing, children will:

• use their sense of touch to gain a deeper awareness of texture.

• learn a printmaking technique for creating their own textures.

• review and practice techniques for using crayons.

• engage upper body muscles.

• understand rubbing as a way to record textures.

• discuss texture discoveries using descriptive language (bumpy, rough, etc.)

• experience their own ability to change a surface.”

Artist Connections

Ingrid Calame, #318 Drawing (Tracings from Buffalo, NY), 2010

Mori Ippô, Palm Leaf Rubbing with Flowers (Hanging Scroll) 1700s

Do Ho Suh, 348 West 22nd Street, Apartment A, Unit-2, Corridor and Staircase, 2011–15, Los Angeles County Museum of Art

TK: Frottage and Creative Drawing

PK.VA:Cr1.1 Engage in self-directed or collaborative exploration with a variety of arts materials.

Kindergarten: Making Textured Papers for “Character Clothing” 

K.VA:Cr1.1  Engage in exploration and imaginative play with various arts materials.

Artist Connections

Julie Lapping Rivera, Still Life with Figure, 2004-2005

1st grade: Frottage and Creative Drawing

1.VA:Cr1.1 Engage collaboratively in exploration and imaginative play with various arts materials.

2nd grade: Frottage and Creative Drawing

2.VA:Cr1.1 Brainstorm to generate multiple approaches to an art or design problem.

3rd grade: Frottage and Creative Drawing

3.VA:Cr1.1 Elaborate on an imaginative idea.

4th grade: Frottage and Creative Drawing

4.VA:Cr1.1 Brainstorm individual and collaborative approaches to a creative art or design problem.

5th grade: Frottage and Creative Drawing

5.VA:Cr1.1 Combine ideas to generate an innovative idea for art-making.