Background

I’ve always had a passion for art and animals and I use my self-taught scraperboard technique to combine the two. Scraperboard or scratchboard is a technique where drawings are created using scalpels and sharp tools for etching into a thin layer of white China clay that is coated with black India ink.

It originated in the 19th century in Britain and France. As printing methods developed, scraperboard became a popular medium for reproduction as it allowed for a fine line appearance that could be photographically reduced for reproduction without losing quality.

During the day my husband & I run a framing & fine arts shop in Woodend called ‘Feeling Framed’ where I’m fortunate enough to see many colourful and wonderful artwork pieces. 

I find scraperboard easy and economical to use (no ink, paints or mess!) I also find working just in black & white gives me a chance to experiment with patterns and allows me to produce the very fine lines I need when reproducing the fur on animals and art deco designs.