Crayon Etching

Instructions on How to Do Crayon Etching

Crayon etching is a variation of scratchboard art. You may have done something like it when you were a kid.

Do you remember this grade school art project? First you covered a piece of drawing paper with different colored crayons. Then you colored over the entire paper again, this time with just black crayon.

Then -- the REALLY fun part -- using a pointed wooden stick or a lollipop stick, you etched a drawing, scraping away the black crayon, exposing the bright colors underneath.

I really loved that project! I bet you did too.

Here is a similar art project for grown-ups. The instructions below describe the method I used to create "Waterfall and Dragonfly," shown in the photo above. At the bottom of the page are instructions and photos for two variations.

("Waterfall and Dragonfly" measures 4-1/2 inches high x 6-1/2 inches wide inside the mat. Click image to enlarge.)

(Note: Scratchboard drawing is called scraperboard drawing in the UK.)

Materials

Scratchboard paper (Regular paper will tear and buckle.)

Pencil

Ruler

Black opaque paint marker

Crayons (Bright colors work best. Do not use black.)

India ink

Brush to apply India ink

Etching tool

Instructions

Using a ruler, pencil in the border for your drawing on the scratchboard paper. Allow at least a one-inch margin on each side.

With a pencil, lightly sketch your drawing.

When you are satisfied with your sketch, draw over the pencil lines, this time using a black opaque paint marker. Let dry.

Optional step: Place a piece of white paper over your sketch and trace your drawing onto the white paper. (This traced version of your drawing will serve as a reference when you start etching.)

With crayons, color your drawing.

• Press down firmly on the crayons to get nice, even coverage.

• Cover the entire area within the border, but make sure you can still see the black lines of your drawing.

• You may need to extend the coloring slightly outside the pencil border lines in order to get good crayon coverage around the edges of the drawing.

Brush off any loose flecks of crayon.

Paint the scratchboard with black India ink, covering the entire picture area and slightly beyond the pencil border lines.

• To completely cover the crayon and obtain an even black coating of ink, you almost certainly will need to apply several coats of ink. (You also may need to paint at least one coat in a crossed direction.*) This is because the waxy nature of the crayon will resist the ink. It also may cause the ink to pool up in places. Do not allow the ink to pool. Use brush strokes to maintain a smooth even application of ink.

• Tip: You may want to practice applying ink on test pieces of scratchboard that you have covered with crayon until you get the hang of it.

• (*The suggestion to paint at least one coat in a crossed direction applies only when you are inking a scratchboard for crayon etchings such as those shown on this page. If you are simply inking a plain white scratchboard without coloring it first with crayon, then make smooth strokes in one direction only; DO NOT go over an area in strokes of different direction.)

Allow the ink to dry.

With an etching tool, etch your drawing. Refer to your traced version to remind you where various elements of your drawing are underneath the black ink. As you etch away the India ink, the crayon colors will show through.

Brush away all the loose flecks of India ink and crayon.

Mat and frame your finished crayon etching masterpiece!

Variations

Here is a simpler variation of crayon etching. For "Peacock," I did not sketch a pencil drawing onto the scratchboard paper.

I simply covered the left side of the paper (where the peacock's body and legs would go) using various pink and magenta crayons.

Then I covered the right side of the paper (where the tail would be) with various turquoise-hued crayons.

After applying India ink and letting it dry, I etched the peacock freehand. (This crayon etching is quite small -- just 3 inches high x 2 inches wide inside the mat.)

Click image to enlarge.

Here is one more variation. This method is just like the previous technique except here you color the scratchboard completely randomly without planning ahead where you want certain colors to end up.

Just pick some bright crayons in colors you like, cover the entire scratchboard with them, apply India ink and let it dry, then etch your drawing. (Remember to push down rather hard on the crayons when you are coloring the board.)

I did "Grazing Horse" this way. (It measures 5-1/2 inches high x 3-1/2 inches wide inside the mat.)

Click image to enlarge.

For a very similar look without using crayons, take a gander at these Halloween placecards.

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To learn how to create a vibrant Crayon Etching like this one, see the step-by- step tutorial and photos on the How To Arts and Crafts.com website.

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