Scratchboard Art Project Directions

Project Description: Students will select a creature to do and research 4-6 images of a creature.
They will print out 3 of the best images for their final idea. Using a variety of textural drawing
techniques students will define the creature on black scratchboard. Hatching, cross hatching,
stippling, contour shading methods all should be used to define the creatures shape and texture.
YOU SHOULD NEVER SCRATCH THE OUTLINE the image but should define it using positive and
negative space.
VOCABULARY:
Texture: It is the Element of Art that refers to the look and feel of the artwork. It could be based on the paint
and its application, or the addition of materials such as ribbon, metal, wood, lace, leather and sand.
1. Texture stimulates two different senses:

Sight & Touch

2. There are two types of texture:

Actual Texture (physical, tactile) & Implied Texture (actual, visual)

Contrast: Contrast is a principle of art. When defining it, art experts refer to the arrangement of opposite
elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) in a piece so as to
create visual interest, excitement and drama in a work of art.

Selecting a Good Design: Research a creature. Creatures with lots of tiny details work best, such
as furry or feathered creatures. Insects can sometimes also work well if enlarged. Choose several
photographs of your creature. Have 3-4 images the instructor can look at with you. Select the image
that will be best for scratchboard and the image with the best composition. You DONT want too
much background. You dont want a small image that lacks detail that is too dark or too white.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Bring in 3-6 images of the same animal. Use white chalk on black paper to create thumbnail
sketches of each image. Which will work better? Select the best possible image.
2. Practice shading a circle on a square sample of scratchboard. Use hatching lines to curve
around the shape, lines closer with be lighters lines farther away will be darker. What do you
notice about how the board works?
3. If you are comfortable transferring the image to news print paper free-hand, you may do so. If
not, use the grid system. Your animal must be drawn accurately, as seen on the original image.
4. Draw the main outlines of the animal on 8 X 11 newsprint paper. There is no need to do tiny
details like fur or feathers on this paper---this is what the scratchboard is for.
5. Tape the pencil drawing to the scratchboard. Place carbon paper underneath the newsprint
between the board with the black shiny side down.
6. Trace over the pencil outlines with pencil or pen. The image will be dark on the scratchboardbut visible if you look at it under a certain angle of light. You may want to check after you make
a few lines to be sure you are pressing hard enough.
7. Remove the paper and make sure all of your lines transferred.
8. Use your scratching tools to make the white and grey areas. Big highlights will require more
scratching. Be gentle---Dont scratch too hard or youll go through the board. Make sure to do
your scratch lines in the same direction as the fur or feathers in your original.

9. It is most important that you pay careful attention to the direction of the animals fur or feathers
and make your scratches in that direction. Scratching in the wrong direction can greatly distort
the final image.
10.The final image must be matted on white paper. You will be taught how to use the mat cutter.
The mat you cut must have a neat 3 inch frame around your picture.

I am most proud of
I wish I could change
ARTONE: Scratchboard Rubric

Name:________________________ Period:__

Cr____________ Creativity / Originality (5 pts) Student chooses a subject

that is challenging and or original and works well for the scratchboard techniques. The
image they select has a good composition and is an effective use of all the scratchboard
space.
Follows directions (10 pts) Students completes all the steps to creating the
project. Their lines must follow the direction of the fur, feathers, hair, etc. They do not
outline animal with a solid line.
Contrast/Values/Textures: (10 pts) Student creates a variety of light,
medium and dark values. They leave the correct black/dark areas unscratched. Textures
created look just like the creature.
Craftsmanship & Final Presentation/ (5 pts) neatness and accuracy of final
project is of high quality and matted with white board.
Total (30 pts)
Kept for Display

Scratchboard Rubric

Name:________________________ Period:__

ARTON
I am most proud of
I wish I could change
____________ Creativity / Originality (5 pts) Student chooses a subject that is challenging
and or original and works well for the scratchboard techniques. The image they select has
a good composition and is an effective use of all the scratchboard space.
Follows directions (10 pts) Students completes all the steps to creating the
project. Their lines must follow the direction of the fur, feathers, hair, etc. They do not
outline animal with a solid line.
Contrast/Values/Textures: (10 pts) Student creates a variety of light,
medium and dark values. They leave the correct black/dark areas unscratched. Textures
created look just like the creature.
Craftsmanship & Final Presentation/ (5 pts) neatness and accuracy of final
project is of high quality and matted with white board.
Total (30 pts)
Kept for Display