Scratching the Surface: A Showcase of Scratchboard Illustration

There are some illustrators who take their talents a little bit deeper, while still scratching the surface. Bad pun aside, scratchboard illustration is an amazing artform, one that we our turning our inspirational spotlight on for this new post. By scratching their works from these special surfaces, and at times combining them with paints or inks, these creative illustrators give life to some truly inspired pieces. Below is a collection that features just a few of these very talented artists working with this breathtaking, and time consuming artform.

Scratching the Surface

Mark Summers

Mark Summers has a gallery that is full of so many sensational illustrations that it was hard to narrow it down for the post. His caricatures and illustrations are richly detailed and overflowing with creativity. Madhatter Lincoln Wagner Brahms Gilbert & Sullivan George Eliot Edgar Allen Poe James Joyce

Heather Lara

Heather Lara (also known as heatherzart on DA), has an overly impressive body of work which tends to focus on animal portraits. Her scratchboard illustrations, those with color and those without, highlight the delicate pieces that can be etched from the surfaces of these boards. Gotcha! by Heatherzart Love Me The Most by Heatherzart Izu 4 Billy Narmada 3 Pombe 1 Tiger 1 Cheetah Snuggle Unexpected Guest A Glimpse of the Past

Eric Sabee

Eric Sabee has a gallery of work that differs from some of the others on the list. Not only are they some of the more colorful scratchboard pieces showcased, the illustrative characters and imaginative fantasy works show another side of this inspiring technique at play. Great Omen Raven Dimension Diver Jimi Hendrix Black Watch Elite Sadranis Arbiter of Fate

Cristina Penescu

Cristina Penescu is another artist whose work focuses on animals, with an impressive collection of work in her portfolio. So many pieces that are not only finely crafted, but that also capture so much emotion. Brilliantly capturing the heart and beauty of nature and her subjects. Desperation Hunger Crisis Cautious Observation Bearly Interested Into the Light Hopeful Focused Within Reach

Other Fine Works and Artists

Scratchboard & Clayboard by Patrushka SCRATCHBOARD by Kevin Fleming Walden Scratchboard by Caitlyn Knepka Steeplechase Jump Jump by Tifani Carter Walls of Separation by Carl Licence SCRATCHBOARD by Kevin Fleming kitteh by ohin Tall Girl - Colored by shonechacko Walls of Separation 2 by Carl Licence scratchboard flamingo by rah-bop SCRATCHBOARD by Kevin Fleming

Your Turn

Now that we have wrapped up this end of the showcase, we want to hear from you. What were some of your favorite pieces or artists from this collection? Do you know of any other pieces or scratchboard illustrators that didn't get a mention? Feel free to let us know in the comment section. (rb)