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“How I Created Great Horned Owl scratch board”

One of the mediums I’ve really liked working in is scratch board.

Scratch board is a board with a thin layer of clay that is then covered with India ink.  A sharp tool is used to scratch out lines and create an image.

An image is created focusing on the light detail areas. It’s a reverse from working in other mediums such as charcoal or pen and Ink where an artist draws black lines and dark areas of an image on a white paper.

I use an exacto knife to scratch out the image.

I’ll show you my work at each stage as I created “Great Horned Owl” in this medium.

Here is the reference photo I picked to use for this image. I photographed this Great Horned Owl at an Audubon Society exhibit.

I started by deciding where I wanted the owl on the scratch board.  As in the photo reference, I  decided to have the owl image vertical on the board like a portrait.

As a rule, I don’t place the image in the exact middle of the board but just off center.  It creates a better composition overall.

I then start to scratch out lines of the owl.  Because I’m working on a black background my focus is on the light detailed areas of the image.

Here is a detail image of the face of the owl with eye and beak.  I scratched out a line for the pupil and the eyebrow and light areas to define the face.

I worked the image of the owl and branch that I chose to place it on.  In the reference photo the owl is on a perch.

I like to place the animal in a more natural setting so I placed him on a branch.

Building on a natural setting, I added a moon peeking out of clouds and a thin twig above to indicate more of the tree.

Lastly, I added a slightly lower branch to fill the space at the bottom of the board.

I’m happy with the final image. I then signed my name at the right hand corner of the board.

That’s how “Great Horned Owl” was created.

Thank you

Check out Great Gift items at Lisa’s Art & Horses

Please feel free to contact me with questions on art/products and/or comments at lisa@lisasart.com

Art  News

BankRI exhibit: scratch board works by Lisa Wald Guarino.

View Online exhibit

The Equine Art Guild’s News

“Le Cadeau du Cheval“

Several artists in the EAG were a part of this unique tribute to the horse. Click on the image above to read all about it and the artists who participated in it’s creation, as well as see where it will be coming to a location near you in the coming year!

Visit The Equine Art Guild website at www.equineartguild.com .

Soldier Portraits
Darla Dixon organized a group of artists who will create no-charge compassionate portraits for the families who have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. We are looking for artists to join our efforts, and also for non-artists who will help spread the word about this free service and token of our gratitude to families who have sacrificed so much.”

For more information, contact Darla (darla@darladixon.com) or visit SoldierPortraits.org.

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WBO Gift Shop

Shop the WBO Gift Shop and help WBO and members of WBO. We have added
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Before you go shopping somewhere else, check out the WBO Gift Shop.