Scratchboard Art

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DMD Scratchboard Gallery

Welcome to the Squidoo Lens for my website: DMD Scratchboard Gallery. You can find information about myself, Denise M. DesLauriers, as well as my scratchboard artwork. There is also access to my blog and other places online to view and purchase my drawings. Thank you for your time and enjoy!

Artist Statement 

I create to satisfy a need I have to create. I create to communicate to you how I feel about the world and the universe around me. And I work to create more than a piece of artwork to hang on your wall. I want to create an experience that you'll come back to again and again.

Autumn Scratchboard Art 

Colored Scratchboard Drawings

curated content from Flickr

What is scratchboard? 

Scratchboard is either a stiff paper or board that has been coated with a thin layer (the boards usually have a thicker layer than the paper) of white or colored clay. Ink or paint is applied over the top of the clay, either by the artist or the manufacturer. It was originally designed in the 1800's, as a quick and inexpensive alternative to other etching methods for illustrations needed in printing books, newspapers and etc. There are several types and qualities of scratchboard. What a particular artist uses depends on what the purpose of the drawing is (whether for school, fine or commercial applications) or personal preference. I use a heavy weight board that has been coated with white clay and black india ink. It provides the best surface for the fine detailed scratchboard drawings I create.

How I Create My Scratchboard Art 

I start each project with research and a lot of sketching. Once I have the idea worked out, I create a preliminary drawing on tracing vellum. A layer of graphite is applied to the back of this drawing. The drawing is laid (graphite side down) onto the scratchboard. I then trace over the entire drawing again, creating a light graphite copy on the scratchboard. Most of my work is done with an exacto blade. I work in layers of scratches (dots and lines) across the whole board. Each layer or level of detail adds more 'light' to the drawing. Very small areas can be changed, but correcting larger areas causes too much damage to the surface of the clay. So, if I'm not happy with what I have done, it means starting over. When I am going to be adding color, I use artist's gouache (opaque watercolors) and a small brush. The finished piece is sprayed with a clear latex enamel matte finish.

DMD Scratchboard Gallery 

Here are some of the pages you can browse at my website:

About Denise M. DesLauriers, scratchboard artist
Features a brief bio and artist's statement.
About My Scratchboard Artwork
This pages gives you information about scratchboard and how I create my original scratchboard artwork. You can find out how to care for your scratchboard art. And I have added a few of the many great comments I have received from my customers.
DMD Scratchboard Galleries
The entry page to my galleries of original scratchboard drawings and paintings. Galleries include: Landscape, Wildlife, Domestic Animals, Fantasy, Botanical and Bugs, and Holiday.
Purchase Information
Here you can find purchase information for scratchboard artwork.
Scratchboard Commissions
Information about original scratchboard commissions, plus examples of commissions I've done.

DMD Scratchboard Gallery Blog 

My Blog!

This is the latest post from my blog where you can find up-to-the-minute news about myself and my career, as well as pictures of my scratchboard art. To view the entire blog, go to DMD Scratchboard Gallery Blog. You can also subscribe to the blog thru feedblitz or feedburner.

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Scratchboard Books on Amazon 

The Art of Scratchboard

Amazon Price: (as of 12/17/2009) Buy Now

Scratchboard for Illustration

Amazon Price: (as of 12/17/2009) Buy Now

The New Scratchboard

This is mainly about claybord, but some of the info could be applied to other types of scratchboard.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/17/2009) Buy Now

by dmdartist

Denise M. DesLauriers has worked as a professional artist for over 30 years. During that time she has specialized in using scratchboard to create her...

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