Frottage is an artistic technique that involves creating textures and patterns by rubbing a pencil or other drawing tool over a surface. This method captures the details of the underlying texture, such as wood grain or fabric patterns, onto paper. It is often used in surrealism and automatic drawing to explore subconscious imagery. The term "frottage" was popularized by the artist Max Ernst in the early 20th century. He used this technique to create unique artworks that combined chance and intention, allowing the textures to inspire the final composition. Frottage remains a valuable tool for artists seeking to incorporate texture into their work.