USING A TRANSPARENCY AS SCRATCHBOARD

This project is not difficult at all, but the results are striking! 

1. Print an inkjet photo that is high contrast, with many "white" and pure black areas. No gray to speak of! Print it onto an inkjet transparency.                                                                         

   

   A real scratchboard tool is great for this!

2. Flip the transparency to the unshiny, printed side and improve the photo by scratching away some of the black areas. Great opportunity to add visual texture!                                                                                                                                                                        

   

   Improving the inked side of the transparency.

3. If some scratched areas need to be pure white for better contrast, rub a damp cloth over them to remove ink.                

   

   Flipped over to the shiny, front side and ready for the next step!

4. Next, let's add color to this thing. You COULD paint the back side with acrylics, as shown in this previous post. OR you can do it this way, with colored art paper!  Lay tracing paper over the front side of the transparency, and trace all the shapes that you wish to be colored.         

   

   I'm tracing the mask shapes here, onto thin paper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Use the tracing paper shapes in a sandwich to cut out colored art papers, and arrange the colorful shapes on a sturdy background the size of your transparency (or larger).          



I like warm and hot colors with black and white.

  

6. As you glue the colored paper to the background, keep checking  with your transparency that they are in position.  When they are dried in place, adhere the transparency (shiny side up of course) on top.  All done!

Original photo and mixed media art copyright Paula Guhin

     

                                                

Alter a Photo for Collage (or just for fun!)

Scratch a Photographic Print  to Add Interest

 

I'll bet you have some commercially-processed photo prints that are less than perfect. Or maybe you have duplicates, or disappointing enlargements.

 

Here's how to have some fun with them...and if you goof up, it's no loss. If you like the effect, the "new" piece might stand alone--or you could work it into a painting or mixed media artwork.

 

First, soak the print in warm water (not too cool, please) to soften the emulsion. Gently blot dry.

 

Then just scratch away with a good, sharp tool! The technique works best in the dark areas of the photograph. The lines may be yellow or blue, depending on the print.

 

If you don't like it, cut or tear into collage pieces. 

NOTE: I plan a giveaway soon with a very useful prize! It will be just for my followers.



No scratchboard on hand? No problem!

Here's a way to make your own scratchboard from, um...scratch. Paint black acrylic all over sturdy, smooth paper and let dry. Then apply oil pastels heavily.



 Use a sharp, pointed tool to scratch in your design.