by Colleen Anderson

Introduction:
Rubbings capture texture of an object onto paper. They are great for understanding the art concepts of shape and texture. To rub, choose objects that are nearly flat like keys, lace, soles of shoes, and leaves. Once you get comfortable with everyday objects, try rubbing the face of a gravestone for a Halloween decoration!

For rubbing everyday items:

Materials:

Directions:
1. Place a nearly flat item under the sheet of thin paper.

2. Rub the crayon across the surface of the paper to capture the texture of the object below.

3. Try to arrange objects underneath the paper so the rubbings make a picture.

For rubbing gravestones:

Materials:
Butcher paper, masking tape, charcoal or chalk pastel, spray fixative – Krylon Crystal Clear

Directions:
1. Visit a graveyard that encourages rubbing. Some cemeteries post signs that it is not allowed due to the wear it causes old gravestones. Heavy fines may be charged to you if you disregard these warnings. Fairmount Cemetery at Quebec and Alameda is one Denver cemetery that allows rubbings of graves. If visiting as an individual, you need not call. If bringing a group to Fairmount, please contact Jo Ann Cullen for permission at 399-0692. Many Denver pioneers are buried in this cemetery, so it would be a historical expedition as well! The office has a map and guide of where the Hungate children, Chivington, Loveland, Iliff, Moffat, Elitch, Buell and other notables are buried in the graveyard.

2. Hold or tape a piece of white, butcher paper over the face of a tombstone.

3. Use a chalk pastel or charcoal to rub across the face of the grave. Do not use crayon for grave rubbings; softer materials are better and less likely to damage the face of the grave. Start by rubbing the outside shape of the gravestone and work your way into the middle of the stone.

4. Gently pull the tape and paper off the gravestone. Fix your rubbing with spray fixative so that it won't blur.

5. Treat the grave with respect. Do not leave stray marks on the stone.

Resources:
Mayes, Susan; Claybourne, Anna; Watt, Fiona and Lovett, Patricia. Drawing, Painting, and Lettering. Usborne Publishing, Ltd.: London, 1996. pp. 4 and 5.

Stocks, Sue. First Arts and Crafts: Printing. Thomson Learning: New York, 1994. pp.10 and 11

Web Links:
How to Do Tombstone Rubbings
Making Architectural Rubbings
Taking Tree Rubbings
Tombstone Rubbings

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