"Making Friends" is finished!

My big scratchboard is finally finished and ready to be framed.  The frame was ordered today, so it should be ready sometime next week.   So looking forward to having these two precious foals hanging on someone's wall.  ... I apologize for the glare.

Almost finished!

This larger scratchboard (16" x 20") has been a real challenge.  I think I enjoy the smaller boards because they can be completed more quickly.  However, it is nice to have the larger surface available... more room for details.  Here are two more pictures of it in progress.  I have some fine tuning still on it, so it is about 2-3 hours from completion. 

New watercolor and another scratchboard started...

I completed a watercolor this morning that was started on Wednesday.  Not sure what to call it, but it is a close-up of the flower boxes at the Ranger's Cabin at the Cradle of Forestry near Brevard, NC.

I have also started a LARGE scratchboard... at least it is large for me - 16" x 20". 

The finished drawing will be two foals nose to nose. 

The area shown below is about 9" x 16". 

Here it is after a few more hours of work. I have plastic wrap

on the right side of the board to help protect

the guide lines from getting rubbed off by my hand.

Another busy week...

It has been another busy week in the studio... actually out of the studio.
I finished another scratchboard on Tuesday during my art class.  I am not sure what to name this one.  So far I am calling it "Nan's Wolf" since Nan photographed it.

On Wednesday I went ot the Cradle of Forestry near Brevard, NC and spent the day painting.  The painting below is not yet complete.  It is a close-up of the flower boxes at the Ranger's Cabin. 

It is a 12 x 16 watercolor.

Today I spent the day at Floyd & Lori Kemp's garden in Black Mountain, NC.  I was participating in a local "Art in Bloom" event to promote the arts.  Artists were stationed in various gardens painting, and people went from garden to garden to see the gardens and the artists at work.

This is a 12 x 16 on Arches watercolor block.

It will be on display and available to purchase on Sunday at the Black Mountain center for the Arts.

"Waiting for Mama"

Here is another 8 x 10 scratchboard that I completed today. I call it "Waiting for Mama". I love the innocent expression on the little fawn's face.  Pardon the glare.  I have not yet sealed it.

"The Scruffy Colt"

Here is my newest scratchboard.  It is 8 x 10 on Ampersand board.

"American Pride"

This is the first scratchboard that I have done on the white claybord surface.  It is colored with scratchboard inks before the surface is scratched. 

First I laid down the colored inks.

Then I transferred the guidelines I would need for the scratching.

Finally I was able to begin scratching.

...and scratching...

This is the finished result...

8 x 10 on white claybord using colored inks.

"American Pride"

original $300.00

New Scratchboards completed!

I participated in a local arts & crafts show this past weekend.  An unseasonal heat wave kept many of the potential customers away, but it allowed me an opportunity to work on my scratchboards.  I was able to finish the orangutan on Saturday and started a tiger on Sunday.  This morning I was able to complete the tiger, so I now have two ready to seal, scan and frame.  Both are 8 x 10.

Here is a close up of the eye, and another of the muzzle.

"Stories to Tell" is finally finished!

This lady has been quite a challenge, but I am thrilled with the results.  I learned how to draw (aka scratch) human skin, fabric, and knitted caps.  I have an arts and craft show this weekend, but after that I hope to get busy scratching and drawing again.

Orangutan continued...

Today was my last scratchboard class, giving me three hours to work on the orangutan uninterrupted.  As you can see, I have made quite a bit of progress.  His muzzle seems to be taking forever, but as my teacher reminded me... it is about half of the picture.

Scratchboard Adventures Continue...

Since discovering scratchboard five weeks ago, I have become completely hooked! This is such a fun medium to work with.  The details that can be obtained are amazing, and I am only just beginning.

Here are a few of my recent projects...

"Angel 2"

8 x 10

"Orchid 1"

8 x 10

scratchboard and ink

"Watchful"

8 x 10

I am still working on the next one. I call it "Stories to Tell".  I was attracted to this piece because of the challenges involved;  flesh instead of fur, the various clothing textures (especially the knitted caps) and the challenge of doing a human portrait.  So far I am very pleased with the results.

"Stories to Tell"

work in progress

8 x 10

Finally I am working on an orangutan portrait.  Yes, challenged again by the various textures, especially the wrinkled skin and dynamic eyes. ... also an 8 x 10.