In frottage, an impression of the surface is created by rubbing with a crayon over a surface covered with textured objects. Which option best describes this process?

• A. Stamping
• B. Frottage
• C. Mezzotint
• D. Aquatint

Answer: (B)

Transferring texture to paper by rubbing is frottage. The idea is to place textured objects under a sheet of paper and rub over it with a crayon or pencil so the surface’s raised patterns print onto the page. This creates an immediate impression of the underlying textures, not a design carved or stamped onto a surface. In stamping, ink is applied to a stamp or plate and pressed onto paper to transfer that design. Mezzotint and aquatint are printmaking processes that build tonal richness on a metal plate and then print the image, producing gradations rather than a direct texture transfer. Frottage is all about capturing texture through direct rubbing to yield an imprint of the surface.