Scratch board art

[Zilpa]

Details

Scratchboard 5"x 7" I have called it "Tears"

I did this one today. It is my second attempt at scratching so I thought it was time to challenge myself.

[Val]

  Wow Zilpa! This is fabulous. I've never tried this, looks like it could be great fun and very challenging too. Great job. 

[Zilpa]

Thank you val yes it is fun it took me 6 hours

[lynn p.]

Wow Zilpa, Love this.  I have heard of this technique but don't know anything.  Tell us a little about the process.  The result is stunning. 

[Zilpa]

The scratch board has a layer of white clay under a layer of ink. Instead of drawing dark areas, you scratch out the light areas using a fine hatching technique with a scalpel or scratching tool. It gets done in several layers. if you scratch out an area by mistake it can be fixed with indian ink but scratching too deep is a no no. This is one of my dog Muttley which was the firts one I tried a few days ago.
 

Details

[Val]

Muttley looks lovely, I'll bet he's quite the character. 

I've never done this, but for a first try I think it's great.     

[Zilpa]

Thank you Val, it takes up no room and no mess. It is advised to wear white cotton gloves though so no sweat or oils spoil the ink.

[lynn p.]

Thanks Zilpa for the explanation.  So scratchboard is always black and white?  Love Muttley, both the art and the name

[scouserl41]

That's a haunting image Lynn P., I've never seen that technique before. Are the scratch boards available commercially or do you make them yourself?
Thanks for showing me something new.
Brian

[MaryAnne Long]

Zilpa,

This is a great piece.  Wow, so much detail.

Muttley looks like quite a character.  Maybe Tony should write him into one of his stories.

Keep up the good work.  Anxious to see what you will do next.

aloha

mea

[MaryAnne Long]

Zilpa,

WOW, your 'tears' painting is incredible.  I looked at it for only a few seconds, but can close my eyes and see every detail.  The eyes are piercing!

Amazing work!!!

aloha

mea

[doina]

Your scratch painting is absolute marvaleous!  Doina

[stoney]

Thanks Zilpa for the explanation.  So scratchboard is always black and white?  Love Muttley, both the art and the name

Not always black and white.  You can do it with layers of colour and the colours of the scratch vary according to the pressure of the tool.

[stoney]

Oh, bravo!

[Fencepost]

Well done, Zilpa! Scratchboard is a challenging medium and you are off and running!