The artist places a piece of paper over an uneven surface, then marks the paper with a drawing tool (such as a pastel or pencil), thus creating a rubbing. The drawing can be left as it is or used as the basis for further refinement.
The artist creates a likeness of an irregular surface by overlaying it with paper and applying marks with a drawing instrument, resulting in a rubbing. The initial impression may remain intact or serve as the basis for subsequent adjustments.