How to Cut Drawings on Scratchboard

By Merritt Dana Cutler

A manual of essential information on the creation of drawings in this black-on-white medium -- tools, materials, techniques -- with many examples by famous illustrators. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823023508
• ISBN13: 9780823023509
• Release Date: January 1950
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill
• Length: 88 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.5" x 0.5" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Does Exactly What it Says

If you've ever wanted to learn scratchboard (scraperboard in the UK) this slender book is a great place to start. The explanations are clear and detailed. Different types of scratch marks on different scratchboard surfaces are shown with plenty of illustrations so you can see what all the marks look like in finished pieces. There are chapters discussing light, shading and blending techniques, tonal values, patterns, use of mechanical aids such as french curves, etc. One of the last chapters of the book shows a gallery of scratchboard art. I particularly liked the fact this book demonstrates a lot of different subjects. I've noticed that scratchboard art (at least on the Internet) seems to be dominated by wildlife art so it is refreshing to see other subjects shown here. The only subject this book doesn't cover which some of my other scratchboard books do is the use of color. However, I am trying to grade this book fairly by considering when it was first published - 1949. At that time color wasn't as much of a concern - particularly for a little book that was geared as an introduction to the medium. By today's standards I think it rates a 4 simply because there are other scratchboard books available that also include discussions of color. In 1949 I would've said it rated a 5. It also has the virtue of being more affordable than any other book on scratchboard I've yet found (and I have quite a few in my collection - including some that are out-of-print). If you are thinking of trying out scratchboard or are just a scratchboard fan this little book is a worthwile addition to any collection.