I've been going round the houses and back again recently trying all sorts of mediums and experiments with materials to create an effect which mimics a printmaking technique. But in the end, there's nothing better than to open the packaging of a fresh pristine scratchboard with the confidence that the surface is not going to let you down. With scratchboard you need to work from a photo, I've tried many times in the past to go freestyle and it never goes well. The technique is popular in America where artists can take months to complete a picture using a tattoo needle. A sharp clear image in imperative and keeping things neat and pristine allows the final piece to look it's best. Keeping things clean is not my natural way of working and I usually like to work quick and expressively, you'll see this with my life drawing sketches. But saying that, having a set drawing outline to work with is very relaxing for me as it means I'm basically colouring in, in ...
Jeweller and Artist