This research concerns one of the oldest and most precious drawing techniques: metal point drawing on prepared ground. Little specific knowledge on this technique exists, although it was one of the most popular forms of graphic expression of the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. This project originates from a necessity to learn about the materials and the techniques used for this type of drawing and their behaviour over time with regard to preventive and active conservation. In 1997 a group of scientists and conservators started a systematic analysis of some fourteenth- to sixteenth century Italian drawings, using modern diagnostics and working directly on the originals as well as on prepared test samples. We present here the first steps of this vast research: analysis of the metal point line using PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) and practical application of the antique recipes of Cennino Cennini to create the test samples. -- SCMRE