I’ve created a short video, called "Scratchboard Start to Finish," to demonstrate my step-by-step progress in creating this 6” x 6” painting "Silly Selfie." See my initial inspiration, reference photos, tools I used for scratching, tips and techniques, the addition of watercolor and the finishing details.
You might recognize this selfie from a photo transfer I demonstrated in my Claybord 101 workshop and video. Recently I was trying to think of something unique and challenging for a new Scratchbord™ painting, and this imaginery photo composition came to mind. As an photo transfer, “Jethro’s Selfie” got lots of positive attention - even more than the eight portraits I drew and painted as part of the same project! Note to self: If it works, do it again.
Scratchboard is a terrific art surface for any subject, especially when depicting textures and incorporating fine details, which I love. Animal fur is well suited to scratchboard techniques, and some of the world’s best scratchboard artists specialize in wildlife and domestic animal paintings. I’ve done many scratchboards of animals, but you can see how I’ve also used the media for people, flowers, birds, still lives, barns, chocolates, and even for Santa Claus! Go to my Galleries page and click on the Scratchboards tab for a big sampling of my art on black and white scratchboard surfaces.
Enjoy my other how-to art videos and please go to my YouTube channel and subscribe. (When I reach 100 subscribers I can get a simply URL for my channel.) Thanks.
