Materials
• Ampersand Claybord Black
• Fibreglass Brush
• Reference photograph
• Ampersand Scratchbord
• Ampersand Black Repair Ink
• Small Round Paint Brush
• Ultra-Micro Fibreglass Brush (It is advisable to wear a face mask to prevent breathing in any fibreglass particles and cotton gloves when using
a fibreglass brush.)
• Cotton Gloves or cloth
• White Graphite Transfer Paper
• Stylus
• Craft Knife (Xacto Knife)
• Eraser
• Spray Varnish
STEP ONE
Firstly choose a suitable image for your scratch art. Convert the image to greyscale on a computer as this will help to show the highlights and shading.
Make a line drawing of the image showing the fur direction and where the highlights and shading are to be placed. Once the line drawing is completed to your satisfaction trace the outline onto the board using the white graphite paper and stylus.
STEP TWO
With the craft knife (Xacto knife) I have started to make long and short scratches to the left ear (on the right in picture) making sure to follow the direction in which the longer fur falls. Initially I scratch very lightly and then to lighten further I use more pressure.
STEP THREE
A close-up image showing the various lengths of fur on the ear.
STEP FOUR
Right ear-Longer scratches have been made for the fur on the outer area of the ear as shown.
Once the fur is completed the highlights were added by brushing over the top of the already scratched fur with the fibreglass brush.
STEP FIVE
To give the appearance of the koala’s fur being quite thick and woolly, I have used a squiggly technique. (The scratches are not straight but slightly curved.)
STEP SIX
The fur across the top of the head has been completed with highlights added. I have used more pressure to lighten the area above the eye and lightly brushed over with the fibreglass brush to give a smooth appearance.
STEP SEVEN
For the area around the pupil of the eye, I have made tiny short scratches and added highlights.
The left eye is scratched in the same way although there is more shading.
STEP EIGHT
Most of the fur with highlights and shading are completed apart from the dark area on the chest and the highlights on the nose.
I have added highlights to the nose by using the fiberglass brush and a stippling technique (pouncing the fibreglass brush up and down). Whiskers have now been added.
FINAL STEP
The finished scratchboard is sprayed with two or three coats of varnish.
It can then be framed with or without glass; it really is a personal choice although my preference is to frame under glass to protect my work.
ARTIST’S HINTS AND TIPS
• The fibreglass brush has been used to achieve the highlights and fluffy appearance of the koala’s fur. Once the initial scratches are in place using the craft knife, brush over the top of these areas very lightly with the fibreglass brush, use it in the same manner as you would the craft knife, as the more pressure you use the more ink will be removed. If you do not have a fibreglass brush, scratch a second layer with the craft knife and again, use more pressure to remove the ink.
• Make sure as much detail as possible is shown in the drawing before transferring it to the board, ie fur direction.
• Wear cotton gloves whilst working on the board particularly in hot and humid weather to prevent the oil from your skin marking the board or alternatively, place a cotton/cloth towel under your wrist and arm where it might lie on the board.
• If any graphite lines are removed whilst working on the board, lightly draw them in with the Stabilo pencil.
• Use sharp blades.
• Minor mistakes can be repaired by re-inking with Ampersand Black Repair and then lightly re-scratch. Also if you need to strengthen the shading after maybe scratching away too much ink, or if you just need to darken further, re-ink by using the paint brush and Black Repair and paint a light wash over the area, or, depending on how dark the shading needs to be. Paint in a few washes and re-scratch.
