Another scratchboard image. On Saturday I finished reading Pride and Prejudice to my father (his choice) and we started Sense and Sensibility. The last third of P&P is so full of anxiously-awaited letters that it seemed an eligible choice for this week’s Illustration Friday topic: Worry.
Our edition has very handsome woodcut illustrations, so I tried to echo some of those techniques in this picture and while I couldn’t manage anything approaching the level of detail and control in those, I think it is a lot better than my first scratchboard attempt.
I used upholstery needles for scratching, cross-hatched the background and scraped away the excess with a pocket knife which was ideal.
I showed this to my father and he said, “Oh. A granny reading a newspaper.” So I can handle honest opinions.
Kathleen Jennings 
I think it’s great! It reminds me of those illuminated manuscripts from medieval days.
Oh, I do like this. Looks like an illustration, so you achieved your goal! I like the pose and composition, her hair and the grass.
It’s wonderful! I’ve never tried scratchboard, it looks like a lot of fun!
Thankyou Mary – there is some very lovely artwork in those books so it’s a high compliment.
Thanks Aimee – the shadow on the grass is my favourite part.
It is fun, Roberta, and a little tricky learning to think back-to-front, but my fingertips are still numb from the way I was holding the needles:)
http://slippedstitch.blogspot.com/2008/05/i-made-tardis.html
Beautiful!
I have to say, the shadow is what caught my eye. I can’t decide whether its implied softness / realism clashes with the starkness and black/white contrast of the rest of the picture, or is just cool. A bit more neck would make the lass less granny-like :)
Thanks Deb. Heheh. Next project.
Thankyou Marci!
Thanks, Dave and Cat. You caught me out! I’m still trying to work out this medium so I can’t guarantee the bottom part is in the same style as the top :)And you are, of course, right about the neck.
I really like the new technique and the figure sheltered by the embracing tree. I love the look of scratchboard though I agree it’s devilishly difficult.
Do you know the work of Audrey Niffenegger? She a printmaker & writer, & I think you’d enjoy her stuff. One of my best friends gave me a signed copy of this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Three-Incestuous-Sisters-Illustrated-Novel/dp/0810959275
Hello!
I really like this scratchboard piece.
I think you achieved a very nice shadow…
and I really like the lace hem of her dress.
Great job!
And thanks so very much for your kind comment!
Denise
Curious Art – yes, I’d seen the book but was a little put off by the title. I had a look on the website and it looks… rather different to what I imagined, so I will check it out. Thanks!
Thankyou, Denise – I’m glad you liked the lace hem, as I wasn’t sure if it had worked or was perhaps too bright!
Modena says : I absolutely agree with this !
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation :) Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Eskimo.
Pingback: Illustration Friday: Routine « Errantry