What is silverpoint used for in drawing?

Silverpoint is a drawing technique that involves using a silver wire to make marks on a specially prepared surface, typically coated with a ground that can accept the metal. This method is historically significant, particularly in the Renaissance, and is valued for the fine, delicate lines it produces.

The correct choice points out that silverpoint is utilized to draw on top of painted paper, which is indeed a suitable application. The prepared surface allows the silver to react with the ground, enabling artists to make precise drawings that can range in tone depending on how the artist works with the medium.

The other options do not accurately describe the use of silverpoint. While silverpoint can create intricate details, it is not typically used for shading in the same way that graphite or charcoal are because it doesn’t allow for blending. It also requires a specialized surface, rather than just any surface, and is not suited for creating textures in charcoal drawings, as it fundamentally relies on a different medium and technique altogether.