Scratchboard is basically the art of drawing with a sharp knife. Each board starts out as a white clay coated surface on top of a masonite base. On top of the white clay surface is a smooth layer of black ink. By scraping away the black surface, the white under coating is revealed. The process was invented the late 1800s as a way for illustrators to create an etching-like effect for excellent magazine reproduction in less time than it took to create a fine steel engraved etching. The trick is to complete one without making any mistakes. The best way to display them is to frame it under a mat to keep the surface free from touching the glass.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Scratchboard Art
Scratchboard is basically the art of drawing with a sharp knife. Each board starts out as a white clay coated surface on top of a masonite base. On top of the white clay surface is a smooth layer of black ink. By scraping away the black surface, the white under coating is revealed. The process was invented the late 1800s as a way for illustrators to create an etching-like effect for excellent magazine reproduction in less time than it took to create a fine steel engraved etching. The trick is to complete one without making any mistakes. The best way to display them is to frame it under a mat to keep the surface free from touching the glass.