Scratch board of multiple subjects

[Jesse C. Draper]

This is a scratch board portrait. I worked on one sister at a time. I've never done a scratch board before this. I wonder if I should pursue scratch board further. Does anyone know any good scratch board techniques? I mostly used a vertical scratch to make the different values.

[Karin Wells]

Nice. Dramatic. Good composition. I definitely think that you would benefit from pursuing scratchboard for as long as you wish to. You seem to have a good feel for this medium.

It has been many years since I have worked on scratchboard and quite frankly I don't remember what techniques I used. Experiment...the sky's the limit...and I'll bet you come with something good to show us all!

[Jim Riley]

Jesse,

I will post another reply when I have some more information for you but I could not resist a premature reply. First of all, I should say that you did an absolutely wonderful job with these portraits. I agree with Karin the composition shows strength and imagination.

I can't see scratches on my monitor and my first question was "how did you get such smooth value transitions"? I did a lot of scratchboard in high school and thought I might become a scratchboard illustrator at one time.

Again I am not prepared but there is a fellow named Summers, I believe, that does scratchboard illustrations of authors for Barnes and Noble Book chain and if my memory is correct he uses an exacto blade to carve thick and thin paralell lines to produce light and dark tones. (Tends to be a lot more mechanical than your effort).
Illustrators Annual used to feature this kind of work and may still do so if they are still in publication.

If it sounds as though I am suggesting that this media might be more viable in commercial application you are right. Having said that however, you might find a good niche. there are not a lot of people to compete with you.

Good Luck!

[Jesse C. Draper]

Karin and Jim,

Thank you both for your nice responces. To make the different values I used small to large scratches. Because of the size limitation on these posts it is hard to see the hatching. Thank you for taking the time to help so many of us.

[Cynthia Daniel]

Jesse,

You can post a cropped closeup of the image if you like so the hatching can be seen.

[Jesse C. Draper]

Sorry the closeup isn't very good, I'll replace it with a better scan later. This gives you a general idea about the etches.