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New
New
Year 3

Make frottage leaf studies

I can create frottage leaf studies using different textures and colours.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 3

Make frottage leaf studies

I can create frottage leaf studies using different textures and colours.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Frottage is a technique of rubbing over textures to create art.
  2. Different textures can be found in natural objects like leaves.
  3. Colours can enhance the visual appeal of frottage art.

Keywords

  • Frottage - making an artwork by rubbing over a textured surface with a media to see the pattern underneath

  • Texture - how something feels or how something looks like it would feel

  • Leaf - a flat, green part of a plant, often used for frottage to capture its texture

Common misconception

Pupils may think that they will need to always use leaves when creating a frottage. Pupils may think frottage involves drawing objects such as leaves.

Frottage involves rubbing over textures, not drawing them. It captures the texture of surfaces rather than depicting them with lines. While leaves are commonly used, frottage can be done with various textured objects like coins or wood.

Encourage students to explore and touch different natural objects before starting their art. This will help them connect with the textures, shapes, and materials they are using, making the experience more engaging and meaningful. Let them describe how these objects feel, look, and smell.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Oil pastels or crayons, leaves and other natural or textured objects.

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

6 Questions

Q1.
What does texture mean?
Correct answer: how something feels or how something looks like it would feel
the colour of an object or the brightness of it
the size of an object or how big it is
Q2.
What does 'colour' refer to in art?
a drawing tool
a type of texture
Correct answer: the property of an object perceived by the eyes
Q3.
Which of these words describes texture?
Correct answer: soft
bright
tall
Correct answer: smooth
Q4.
What type of shape is a typical leaf?
a geometric shape
Correct answer: an organic shape
Q5.
Which natural object feels soft?
a stone
Correct answer: a cotton flower
a leaf
a twig
Q6.
What is composition?
the size of objects in an artwork
the selection of colours in an artwork
Correct answer: the arrangement of images or elements in an artwork
the variety of lines in an artwork

4 Questions

Q1.
Frottage is a technique of creating art by over a textured surface with a pencil or crayon.
erasing
painting
etching
Correct answer: rubbing
Q2.
When making a frottage, what part of a leaf will show lines in the rubbing?
Correct answer: the veins, stem and edges
the stem only
the smooth parts only
the edges only
Q3.
Why is it best to start with lighter colours when making a frottage?
Correct answer: so you can add darker colours to highlight textures
because it’s harder to see dark colours
because light colours are the only ones that work
to make the paper smoother
Q4.
What are the steps in creating a frottage?
1 - Pick a textured object, like a leaf.
2 - Place the leaf vein-side up.
3 - Place your paper on top.
4 - Start rubbing with light colours.
5 - Layer with darker colours.
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