S
C
R
A
T
C
H
B
O
A
R
D
http://vimeo.com/19991501
• Scratchboard or scraperboard is a technique
where drawings are created using sharp knives
and tools for etching into a thin layer of white
China clay that is coated with black India ink.
Scratchboard can also be made with several
layers of multi-colored clay, so the pressure
exerted on the instrument used determines
the color that is revealed. Scratchboard can be
used to yield highly detailed, precise and even
textured artwork.
History
• Modern scratchboard originated in the 19th century in
Britain and France. As printing methods developed,
scratchboard became a popular medium for reproduction
because it replaced wood, metal and linoleum engraving. It
allowed for a fine line appearance that could be
photographically reduced for reproduction without losing
quality. It was most effective and expeditious for use in
single-color book and newspaper printing. From the 1930's
to 1950's, it was one of the preferred techniques for
medical, scientific and product illustration. During that
time period, Virgil Finlay made very detailed illustrations,
often combining scratchboard and pen & ink techniques,
producing astoundingly detailed artworks. In more recent
years, it has made a comeback as an appealing medium for
editorial illustrators of magazines, ads and graphic novels.
Scott McKowen
Steps to Achieve an Awesome
Scratchboard Drawing
• First choose a subject matter, i.e. an animal
• Sketch out different views of the animal, i.e.
frontal view, side view, foreshortening, birds
eye view, etc…It's important to have the
picture broken down to only the most
essential lines.
• Then transfer it to the scratchboard using
graphite paper.
• Then using an Xacto knife start scrapping off
the black ink to create an image
• Start with light scratches than go over the
ones that you want to enhance and stand out
more. Use similar styles that one would use as
if drawing in charcoal or pencil, such as cross
hatching, fine lines, contour lines etc.
• Pay close attention to direction, example is fur
or feathers, they must be going in the proper
direction if the finished product is to look
realistic.
Creating 5 Values:
• Black: do not scratch away
• White: scratch away completely.
• Dark Gray: scratch lines that are far from one another.
• Medium Gray: scratch lines that are scratched away are
near one another.
• Light Gray: scratch lines that are close to one another.
Questions to think about
• What variety of lines and shapes are in your
picture?
• Where is the positive and negative space on
your scratchboard?
• How are you going to incorporate value in
your scratchboard image?
• Is your composition balanced?
Resources
• http://www.aphelionart.com/scratchwildlife.html
• http://smorrisonart.redbubble.com/works
• http://www.martienarichter.com/Technique.html
• http://www.greggmurray.com/
• http://www.marlenaagency.com/scott/scott.html