incised drawing

Incised drawing is a technique that involves cutting into a hard surface, such as pottery or metal, to create designs or patterns. This method is the opposite of drawing by adding material; instead, it subtracts from a surface. Incised drawings are among the oldest forms of human artistic expression, with examples found in ancient African cultures and on pottery dating back thousands of years.1

This technique is also seen in decorative details on various objects, including jewelry from the Roman Empire and medieval weapons, as well as Renaissance armor. The process of incising can be compared to engraving or etching, where a sharp edge is used to cut into the material. While the visual appearance is linear, like other drawings, the material process is subtractive.123