Scratchboard
Websites
High school Art students may click on the link below to view examples of scratchboard art and how-to tutorials.
Do not use Russ McMullin's hint of using xylene for working with scratchboard. This product has strong fumes and is very toxic. It is not meant for children to use.
These web sites are meant for high school use only. These tutorials recommend the use of xacto knives which are very sharp and not intended for elementary students.
Elementary students may create a scratchboard by coloring a piece of white, construction paper very hard with a variety of light and bright colors such as yellow, pink, light blue, light green etc. After the page is covered with crayon, they may color over the bright crayon with black crayon or paint a mixture of black tempera and a few drops of liquid soap over the crayon. It might require 2-3 coats of paint to cover the bright crayon. They may now draw a design by scratching away the black with a toothpick or tack. The bright colors will be revealed to create a multi-colored drawing.
