A lithograph is drawn with greasy (oil-based) materials on a flat stone or metal plate.

Common drawing media used to make a lithograph include:

  • Lithographic crayons or chalks (greasy, wax- or tallow-based)
  • Lithographic pencils
  • Liquid lithographic ink called tusche
  • Other oil-based, water‑resistant drawing materials (e.g., special markers in more modern plate lithography)

These greasy media are essential because lithography relies on the principle that oil and water repel each other: the greasy drawing attracts the printing ink, while the damp non-image areas repel it.

In quiz-style terms, the correct choice is: “Oily crayon, pencil, or liquid.”

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