Scratchboard
2.06.2018
15.8 x 10.8 cm (including frame)
![Raccoon](https://ciarasymons.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Raccoon-2-scaled.jpg)
I don’t remember making this one. Which is a shame because WOW I love it a little too much. I did do the one thing that’s frowned upon in the art world though – I traced a photo of a raccoon to get the right proportions. All I did was draw an outline on some tracing paper with the image behind it and outline some of the sections of the fur – but it always feels like cheating. I think it does help with observational skills, as it forces you to notice how some shapes curve. You see details that you might not have noticed otherwise. So, take it as you will.
![Raccoon 1](https://ciarasymons.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Raccoon-1-scaled.jpg)
I remember using scratchboard for the first time – It was in an art class I did on Tuesdays after school. We’d done a rabbit. At the time I had liked doing drawings that used only dots, using fine liners. This was what I like to call an “artistic phase”, because AGH it took w ay too long. The artist that ran the class had been very excited about my little rabbit, because she said to “forget doing all those little dots, you’re great at this!” I’m paraphrasing, of course.
I’m not sure why, but there’s something about fur that just works for me. I should try doing another scratchboard again soon, I’d like to see how my skills have improved.