Thursday, February 11, 2010

A Miniature Scratchboard Piece and latest commission


A Tender Moment (Miniature)
8.5 x 10cm
Scratchboard art on Essdee scratchboard

Hollee
8x10 inches
Graphite and coloured pencil on drafting film


Here is my latest commission which I finished a few days ago. Lately, as I have mentioned in previous posts, I have had the urge to get back to my roots which is based in Miniature Art. A few years ago, I attempted a scratchbaord piece and thoroughly enjoyed the process. I had taken this photo of a mother chimp embracing her infant, and thought it would be perfect to try the scratchboard art out on again. The traditional Scratchboard tools are not quite fine enough for a miniature piece and so most of this picture was done with very fine sewing needles ( I think I've bluntened a few along the way). Happy Valentines Day to all for Sunday - may you all feel loved by someone!!!!


10 comments:

artbyakiko said...

Beautiful baby portrait, as always!
I absolutely love this scratchboard chinp mom and baby!! You've done a great job on this on such a small surface. It make me feel like trying it again. :)

Barbara A. Freeman said...

Karen, your scratchboard piece is incredible!! Wow, and you didn't like working with silverpoint, but did this wonderful work in scratchboard? I'm so impressed! It looks like it would take a long time. You did a great job on this, such a touching image!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much Akiko and Barbara. You are so good with detail Akiko I know you would do a fabulous job on the scratchboard. Barbara - this one took me a couple of days - for me the challenging part of silverpoint is getting the contrasts between light and dark - I spent hours trying to get darker darks and still wasn't happy - it probably depends a great deal on the surface you use.

Unknown said...

I just love the scratchboard piece, beautiful!

Unknown said...

Thank you Laura - so lovely to hear from you and it was nice to work on something different I must admit!! :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful work as always Karen.

Love the scratch board...what patience

The commission baby is gorgeous.

Autumn Leaves said...

Hollee is such a beautiful baby, Karen! I know her parents are going to be thrilled with this excellent painting! I have to admit to an "Awwww!" and a melting of the heart this morning on seeing the chimps. So beautifully done! Is scratchboard the same as silverpoint work? Oh...I see Barbara's comment answered that question!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much Dors and Sherry.
Sherry the scratchboard is a clay surface with and ink coating that you literally scratch into to create your artwork - so much fun if you get the chance to try some :)

Unknown said...

Great little portrait Karen, I really like the scratchboard piece, lovely subject and the detail is fantastic.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for stopping by Sam and for your wonderful, thoughtful comments!!!!