RELATED VIDEO:
https://art21.org/artist/do-ho-suh/
https://youtu.be/nftKuGPn2R4

OBJECTIVES:
- Develop a range of marks and textures to understand differences between physically touching the materiality of
form and attempting to draw an equivalent of a sensation of texture
- Explore the connection between seeing, touching, and drawing

DESCRIPTION:
Our hands and eyes are deeply connected and touch often accompanies the act of looking. In this module, we will explore
the nuance and details of various found material textures at, in, and around your domestic environment. Our exploration will equip
us with a materials catalog, or a “texture library” for our strategic use/incorporation in the drawing artifacts of
current and upcoming studio units. Using a variation (for now) of the surrealist creativity game of Frottage, we will use
the technique of rubbing to document various surface textures.

Rubbings are made by carefully pressing paper onto a carved or incised surface so that the paper conforms to the
features to be copied. When graphite, charcoal, etc. is evenly applied to the paper, the projecting areas of the surface
become dark, while indented areas remain white.

SUGGESTED PROCESS:
- Brainstorm a list of potential material types that you will want to document using rubbing techniques.
- Thoughtfully place a piece of 8.5”x11” paper directly on the surface you intend to take the rubbing from.
- Design the layout of each sheet using an organization system (centralized, radial, linear, clustered, or
grid) that best organizes and communicates your technique research with that material and your
techniques.
- Use a soft graphite pencil to build up a reasonable area of rubbed surface.
- Experiment with paper of varying weight (i.e. trace paper, butcher paper, etc.).
- Similarly, try using various types of pencils/tools (carpenter’s pencil, colored pencils, charcoal, graphite sticks,
crayons, etc.).
- Remember that changing the pressure of the mark can be a way of revealing more sensitive surfaces.
- Generally, you will want to use tools that offer you a soft, fairly wide stroke.
- Limit one (1) material texture/surface type per 8.5”x11” sheet however, use various pressures and tools to explore
that surface on that sheet (fill the sheet up).
- Make sure you label the type of material being rubbed and its location so that you may return for more samples
later if necessary.
- While documenting, ask yourself: “Without a label, would the rubbing clearly indicate the material being
documented?”

DELIVERABLES:
- Sixteen (16) different material texture rubbing studies on 8.5”x11” size paper (trace, printer paper, butcher paper)
(These will be kept for your future use).
Use landscape or portrait orientation for all sixteen (stay the same so it will look good in portfolio).
Material type and location neatly lettered (3/16 inches tall with light construction lines) on front of paper.