Scratch Art
Scratch art uses line and value as
elements of art and pattern and contrast
as principles of design.
Line: an element of art that is a mark with
length and direction
Value: the lightness and darkness of a surface.
Pattern: a principle of design that
repeats lines and shapes
Contrast: a principle of design that shows an opposition between elements
Value is the degree of light and dark
in a design. Changes in value can create contrast.
Engraving: a method of cutting or incising a design into
a material with a sharp tool
Scratch board: illustration board in which black ink-coating is
scratched away to reveal a white clay-coated surface
Scratch Art Exercise
• Create a value/zone scale on the
scratchboard from white to black including
all of the shades of gray in between by
hatching or cross hatching.
• Students will move from black to white.
Black will be left alone and each square
will be gradually lightened. White will have
all of the ink removed.
Tips for Scratch Art
• Students will find an image of an animal that is high contrast, or can
be made high contrast using Photoshop. The image must be 8” x
10”
• Transfer image by lightly taping down the paper on top of the
scratch art board and trace main contours with a pen.
• When working on the paper, keep it covered with newsprint to
prevent oil from you skin from going onto the paper.
• Begin to scratch slowly. Remember you can always make it lighter,
but you cannot make it darker.
• Scratch in the direction of the desired texture.
• Do not blow the dust off of the table or off of the scratchboard.
Gently tap the dust on the table and wipe it into the garbage.
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Negative scratching is a technique in which the design is formed by lines
and shapes scratched out of the background of the paper. In other words
the image is composed of lines and spaces shaped by the spaces missing
from the inked background. It is a useful technique for designs that have
fine lines, because it is easier to carve away a line than to leave a line
standing.
Positive scratching leaves the lines and areas that is the image. This
technique works best for designs with bold lines and simple shapes. These
marks enliven the art with the kind of texture that is associated with this
medium. Positive scratching is often combined with negative scratching in
the same design.