Making Art by Taking It Away: The Magic of Scratchboard Art

In a world that constantly asks us to move faster, make more, post more, and move on to the next thing, art gives us a reason to slow down. Some mediums, like scratchboard, almost require it. Every mark is intentional. Every line changes the surface. There’s no rushing to the finished piece, and there’s no need to.

So what is scratchboard?

Simply put: scratchboard is the definition of 'mark-making'. With traditional drawing, such as graphite or colored pencil, you generally start with a light or white surface and add dark marks to build your image. With scratchboard, you typically start with a dark, opaque surface and remove the dark coating to reveal a lighter layer underneath. Essentially, instead of thinking about where to add your shadows, you're thinking, "where do I scratch to create the highlights?"

How does it work? 

When you draw, your substrate is paper. Painting... a canvas. With scratchboard, you start with a solid masonite or clayboard surface, covered in a deep, dark India ink. (Think back... you've probably created your own form of scratchboard during grade school with crayons and black paint.) Essentially, if you cover any substrate with black acrylic or India ink, then scratch away the top black layer in a controlled manner, you will reveal what's underneath (so poetic, I know). Meet Ampersand Scratchbord. This is a premium smooth, absorbent kaolin clay ground that is evenly coated with India ink, and when using the appropriate tools and techniques, professional artists find Ampersand's boards yield the most beautiful results.

(created by Lisa Pimental)

How to get started?

We know art can sometimes feel a little intimidating... and starting a NEW medium? That can feel downright overwhelming.

Scratchboard, in particular, might look impossible at first. You’re literally working opposite of what you’ve learned in traditional drawing. Instead of adding dark marks, you’re scratching away the surface to create light. Your brain has to work a little differently, and honestly, that can feel weird at first.

So why would anyone willingly put themselves through that creative anxiety? Because it’s gorgeous... and because it’s SO satisfying to just get in there and scratch away.

What you will need to try it out:

MUSTS -

• scratchboard
• scratching tools (X-acto blade works well, or various scratch art tools to achieve varied results; most kits come with a basic scratch tool that works wonders!)
• template of your illustration

HELPFUL - 

• soft paintbrush or something to brush residue from your scratchings
• transfer paper and ballpoint pen  (if you don't want to freehand your drawing)
• Black ink and small paintbrush (in case you make a mistake - yes! you can make mistakes, though we don't recommend it)

While anything can become a beautiful scratch art piece, subjects that work best are animals (fur and feathers lend to amazing detail with crosshatching and stippling techniques), florals, or anything with detailed textures. Remember, you're not shading in the traditional sense to create dimension; you're using tiny markings and controlled highlights by removing and revealing to convey realistic textures and form.

We suggest starting with a small kit (this is NOT a medium you want to start out large scale - your hand will not be happy!). We even have kid-friendly versions for the littlest or creators, using slightly safer tools.

(created by MUSEjar 5th graders)

Why we love it?

Slowing down allows us to actually observe what we're creating. We notice the tiny shifts in light, the texture of a surface, the direction of a line, and the spaces between our marks. Instead of thinking about the finished image, we become more present in the process.

And maybe that's part of the point of making art in the first place. Not everything needs to be faster. Not everything needs to be finished quickly. Sometimes the creative process is an invitation to pause, pay attention, and enjoy making something one small mark at a time.