Another scratchboard illustration for this week’s Illustration Friday topic: Opinion. It is 5×7 cm (2×2.8 inches), scanned on my mother’s scanner (with which I have a fraught relationship) and coloured in Photoshop. It is a combination of two ideas: someone staying aloof in spite of the opinions of critics, and Kipling’s Cat (which walked by itself, and all places were alike to it).
Here is the black and white version:
And while I was drawing dogs, which is rare for me, I did a quick scratchboard illustration for I. R. Mcleod’s poem Lone Dog:
Kathleen Jennings 
Excellent! I like it!
Either way I love it. Such texture and movement. In my opinion it’s wonderful!!!!
You should do more dogs as its a lovely illustration, the coloured one is my favourite – it works so well.
love the scratchboard, this is so great!
I love the scratchboard. Great illustration. And oh, does that cat have a high opinion of herself… rightfully so.
You really make me want to try this technique. You create beautiful images.
so original style! in my ‘opinion’ that it works very well in black and white!
That is a lovely illustration. A very nice condensation of your themes beautifully rendered.
Bright, colourful, nice textures, with balanced composition and a cat: nice!
I like the way you kept the flow of the scratch in line with the tree branch because it hints at movement while at the same time not looking deliberate because of the medium.
This looks great, I like the b+w version also!
Oh, wonderful! Awesome style, and I love the coloring you did too.
Beautiful illustration! (and I love the Kipling reference)
Hi!
I love this illustrations, they have personality and strength. Are they linoleum, or something like that?
The best I have seen till now, congratulations for your art!
That is a great drawing, and I think you have captured the “Cat’s” spirit very well.
Thanks for reminding us of that story–I found an audio version of Kipling’s tale here:
http://mr_h.podomatic.com/entry/2006-08-10T07_46_13-07_00
Wow – go out of range of easy internet access for two days and look what happens!
Thankyou for all the lovely comments everyone!
Will – I will definitely have a listen to that, and thanks for the link.
Carmen – it is scratchboard or scraperboard: card with a layer of clay and then black ink on top.
Conniemartin – it is definitely worth trying. People say its difficult but it isn’t at all (and quite forgiving) once you get used to thinking backwards!
Rowena – of course it is!
Nicky Linzey – I am strongly tempted! They are quite a bit of fun to draw :)
Scratchboard is so fun! Nicely planed composition!
this is beautiful as well is the thought. great take on the topic!
Thankyou emily and linda!
Emily: I agree. Not enough people know about it, but it is so fun and can give beautiful results.
Great illo,love the style
Really great! In some ways I think I prefer the image without the colour. It’s a lot more powerful I feel. But both are really something! I love that you have such a strong personal style – mine tends to bounce around constantly X(
Anyway, good job!
~Lalouba-Jane.
Thankyou Lalouba-Jane!
I think the same about my style, so I wouldn’t be too worried about yours :) I think that is part of the process of finding it.
I love the cat, and the dogs. They’re wonderful! I’ve a fence just like this, and that scene plays out on a daily basis.
Thanks, Trent! I’m glad I caught a little reality in it :)