Scratch Art

Scratch Art, done on clay board or on paper, is a form of drawing where a dark layer of ink is removed to reveal a lighter colored layer beneath. This creates images by scratching away the top layer with a sharp tool to reveal the underlying surface. 

As a child, I was fascinated by this method of drawing, but back then I had to start from making the paper itself, by coloring the background with acrylic paint, then covering the entire surface with a black crayon to scratch off with a pencil. It took me so long to even make the paper, I only made a few pieces. 

Then during the pandemic I discovered that ready made scratch art paper is available, I introduced it to my son to make art together. I rediscovered the fun and potential of this material, and I don’t even need to make the paper! 

And in 2004, I finally found Scratchboard. It’s a ⅛” thickness board with white clay background covered with black ink, and it takes very fine lines with sharp tools to create such details. I could also color the exposed white parts with ink, and I can layer the colors. It’s almost like watercolor and engraving, with a result of printmaking looks, and I was hooked! 

I have entered several exhibitions with this new media, and received much encouraging feedback so far. I plan to improve my technique and evolve as a 2D artist as well as a silversmith.