Students tried to capture the life-like expression and character of an animal, bird, reptile, or sea creature for this assignment. The main focus was on rending a naturalistic form using value tones created through visual texture.
Advanced students were given more creative freedom when choosing the subject for their scratchboard design, since they did a similar assignment in my class last year.
Art students finally had the opportunity to choose their own subject for this Scratchboard assignment. They were instructed to create an etched drawing that demonstrates an understanding of texture and value.
Every student began by researching a design idea on the Internet, and then created a preliminary drawing on paper. The pencil drawing was then transferred and etched into black scratchboard with sharp tools.
Texture was the main element that students aimed to emphasize in this artistic endeavor. The scratchboard material is made of a golden surface that is covered by a layer of soft clay and then painted with black India Ink. Using sharp utensils to scratch into the surface, students methodically revealed their golden designs to create a truly dramatic effect!
“Art is literacy of the heart.” Elliot Eisner
Julia