scratchboards

Clay-coated art panels

Scratchboards are illustration surfaces with a white clay layer coated in black ink.

Artists scratch through the dark surface to reveal white beneath, creating images through contrast—essentially drawing in reverse, with light emerging from dark.

The technique produces distinctive high-contrast artwork often used for editorial illustrations and bookplates.

Also called scraperboard in British English.

materials

ink

Writing fluid

stylusPointed implement for marking
ampersandSymbol for "and"
kaolinWhiteite mineral for pottery

coating · substrate · hardboard · gesso · wax · tools · surface · board · backing

technique

etching

Acid-incised metal print

incisingCutting into material
crosshatchingIntersecting parallel lines for tone
stipplingDot-based shading technique

sgraffito · layering · scraping · hatching · burnishing · highlighting · detailing · rendering · shading · linework

effects

contrast

Notable difference between things

highlightsNotable moments emphasized
luminosityIntrinsic brightness of source
textureSurface tactile quality

depth · detail · precision · gradation · tonality · chiaroscuro · monochrome · dramatic · intricate · photorealistic

wildlife

feathers

Bird's lightweight covering

furAnimal body hair
scalesPlates or weighing devices
whiskersFacial sensory hairs

eyes · plumage · portraits · animals · birds · reptiles · pets · nature · realism · detail

Opposites

artistic technique/method

scratchboardspen and ink

Traditional writing medium

charcoal drawing · pencil drawing · painting · brushwork · ink wash

surface characteristics

scratchboardscanvas

Heavy woven cloth

stretched canvas · paper · watercolor paper · newsprint · digital screens

artistic technique/mark-making method

scratchboardspaintings

Pictures made with pigment

ink drawings · charcoal drawings · oil paintings · watercolors · pen and ink

Family

scratchboard

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G