Scratchboard Art

What is Scratchboard?

Scratchboard is a piece of cardboard similar to poster board that has been coated on one side with a layer of hard white chalk. The artist paints, rolls, or sprays black ink onto the surface. After the ink dries, the artist scratches through the ink with a sharp stylus or knife, creating white marks or lines by exposing the chalk underneath. (Scratchboard paper that has been pre-inked also is available.)

The end result is a strongly contrasted black and white linear drawing that often looks similar to a woodcut or engraving.

This interesting art medium is known in the UK as scraperboard art.

Scratchboard Art Projects and Tutorials

Here are links to my pages on scratch board art and scratchboard-related arts and crafts projects. I am sure you will enjoy them. Let's get started!

First, to learn more about this intriguing art form, you may want to take a look at these interesting, informative, and inspiring scratchboard art tutorials and demonstrations. Then come on back here and take a look at the fabulous projects featured below!

Please also read about how to prepare scratchboard paper and also these important scratchboard safety tips.

Crayon Etching

The three drawings below are crayon etchings I made using variations of scratch board art. I colored the scratchboard paper with crayons, then painted the entire sheet black with india ink, then etched my drawing using a stylus. You can get many different effects. For example, I think the waterfall and dragonfly picture looks a bit like a woodcut.

For instructions on how to do crayon etching, please click the link or one of the images.

Scratchboard Supplies

For information on supplies, and links for purchasing them online, see Scratchboard Art Supplies and Etching Tools.

Scratch-Art

Scratch-Art® kits are available and they are great fun! Each pack comes with pre-inked paper (the number of sheets depends on the particular kit) and a wooden stylus. When the paper is scratched, a beautiful surface underneath is exposed.

Here are some of the Scratch-Art projects I have done using this wonderful paper:

Halloween Placecards

I made these colorful Halloween placecards using a special black paper. All I needed to do was scratch my design and lettering using a pointed wooden stick, and the vivid colors (that were already there, hiding under the black!) were revealed in all their glory. Easy and fun!

Please click the link or photo for instructions on how to make this special "scratch art" crafts project.

Scratch Art Glitter Pictures

Drawing glitter pictures is a fun and easy scratch art project. Create your own glitter art using a special scratch art paper called glitter board.

You will love the striking artwork you can make.

The only supplies you will need are a sheet of this glitter paper and a pointed wooden stick.