The Scratchboard Process with Sally Terrell
Scratchboard is a 2D subtractive art form done on a white clay-coated board covered with black India ink. Tools are used to remove, or gently scratch through the black ink revealing the white clay underneath. Most of the values are achieved by varying the amount of ink that has been removed.
The Process:
I transfer a design (reference photos, or my own sketch) using white transfer paper on to a black-inked scratchboard. I start very gently scratching off the ink with various tools, like X-acto knives, fiber brushes, tattoo needles, sandpaper, etc.
When I want to add color, I use diluted archival acrylic inks, or India ink markers, and then scratch on top of that, then add another layer of ink, scratch some more, ink some more, back and forth until I get the depth and effect I want.
I also use Claybord, which has a white surface that allows me to airbrush whatever colors I want for the background. I then use the same basic process. I transfer a design, apply different colored inks and scratch, going back and forth until I get the desired effect. Then several coats of archival varnish and frame! It is a very time-consuming process, but the results can be quite stunning.
You can find Sally’s original works, along with her prints and cards, at the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts.