Scratchboards

Friesian Bling – This moody portrait of a Friesian dressed in tack for a Renaissance Fair received a lot of attention at the Cody, WY Blue Buffalo Show. It is a scratchboard with a small amount of color in the eye and tack. I felt that a little blue in the background would enhance the shadows of the horse’s coat. Although it is sold, I have several photos of this horse from different angles and will be able to paint different versions. Prints are also available.

This eye-popping black and white sunflower portrait was created on a black scratchboard with no added painting. The various levels of black, grey and white were totally achieved with varying pressure of the sharp tools i routinely use. Framed in a wood and pewter frame: 6 x 10 inches, it is available.

“Reflecting Lilies” This stunning traditional scratchboard of waterlilies used only scalpels and tattoo needles to scratch away the black India ink to reveal layers of grey or white underneath. It is 12″ x 12″ and framed in a modern silver and black frame.

Floating Beauty: A different point of view creates this airy, floating flower and rufous hummingbird. Framed in complementary blue frame – this is a 5 x 7″ painting. Available

This airy painting shows a Harris hawk soaring past two stately saguaro cacti. Each feather is detailed in this scratchboard/watercolor 16 x 20″ artwork. Framed in complementary wood-burled frame. Photo reference was from Evelyn Harrison. Available

“Cardinal and Acorns”This 12 x 12″ white clayboard was airbrushed with colors redolent of a forest setting. Oak leaves, acorns and a gorgeous cardinal were then etched into the watercolor background. Framed in ornate 12 x 12” frame. Available

Petticoat Blue Jay-This cheeky camp robber is so cheerful with each feather fluffed out due to the finite strokes with sharp implements. Created on a white scratchboard with the areas of scratching airbrushed in using india ink; each feather and leaf has been etched out and then watercolored again. 6×10″, framed in a beautiful, complementary, blue wood frame, this is available for sale.

Forest Fawn – This beautiful scratchboard/watercolor showcases the play of light and shadow in a forest. The fawn’s translucent ears, texture of the trees and fading away of the background are all emphasized by the dappling of sunlight. Framed in a complementary wood frame, this is 11 x 14. Price can be obtained by contacting me at marilynman@aol.com.

In the Shadows depicts a pair of bobcats sheltering in a cave. It was created on black scratchboard with scalpel and tattoo etching to reveal the white underneath and then watercoloring and more scratching to create the dimension of this wonderful piece. It is 20 x 24″ and framed in complementary wood-burled frame. Available.

Peaceful Jaguar: This stunning wild cat is gazing into the light as the rest of his body fades back into the darkness. He was created on a black scratchboard with tattoo needles and scalpel. Watercolor was used to fill in the colors of his luscious coat. Based on a reference photo by Paul Sawford, this is an 8 x 8″ artwork framed in wood.

Looking for Lunch-Cheetah: This delightful picture is etched with scalpels and tattoo needles and then enhanced with watercolors. It is framed in a copper wood frame. The painting is based upon a reference photo by Paul Fine. It is available.

Frosty Lake Coyote: This white-based scratchboard with watercolor enhancements features etchings done with scalpels and tattoo needles. Watercolor was then used to dramatize the rich coat colors. Highlights were again scratched out. Wrapped Canvas. 11 x 14″…. For Sale

“Red Rock Coyote”. This 11 x 14″ scratchboard/watercolor is my most recent painting as I get ready for the November Carefree/Thunderbird Art Show. The Arizona coyote is surrounded by the red rocks of the Sonoran Desert in a meditative pose. Framed in a copper colored wood frame, it is SOLD

Coyote Meadow shows a coyote in prime coat. I liked the head turn with resulting shadows. The original is in a private collection. No prints are available for this painting.

Patience of a Wolf – Very detailed and lush scratchboard of a Mexican wolf in repose. It is a 10×10″ scratchboard/watercolor framed beautifully in a wood frame with black accents. A photo reference by Emmanuel Keller was used to created this piece of art. This was recently sold to a collector in Wyoming. Prints are available.

Scamps and Thieves – This is a companion piece to the previously painted “Trouble Comes in Threes”. It is a 16 x 20″ scratchboard/watercolor, framed in a complementary copper accented frame. Available for purchase.

Pronghorn Study-This 5 x 7 study of a pronghorn antelope has such great highlights on his face and coat. I enjoyed the etching, watercoloring, etching and many layers of work it took to create this dimensional painting. Available.

Heads or Tails – Painting zebras is so enjoyable. The stripes going every which way with just a touch of watercolor at the nose and bellies are so difficult to perform; but the challenge draws me in. This 16 x 20 framed masterpiece has sold, but prints are still available.

“Drinks for Four” intrigued me because of the one hiding zebra. Scratchboard techniques and watercolor were used in this 10 x 14″ painting. It is framed in an ornate black wood frame. SOLD

Three Amigos was an 8 x 10″ study I did before painting the larger painting called “Heads or Tails”. I enjoyed the play of light on the zebra’s hide as he turns and the motion creates folds. This painting has sold, however, prints and/or notecards are available.

First Love – This sweet little scratchboard is an 8 x 10″ picture based on a photo by Paul Fine. It shows a baby with his trunk entwined in his mother’s. It is done in the traditional black and white scratchboard technique. The painting is float mounted on a gray backing and framed in an 11 x 14″ silver frame that complements the gray of the elephants’ skin. This has SOLD, but prints and notecards are available.

A Stitch in Time – This 8 x 10″ scratchboard with watercolor sold instantly at the Blue Buffalo Art Show in Cody, WY but I will be painting other vintage sewing machines due to the popularity of this painting. I was drawn to the treadle machine initially and then enjoyed setting up the still life with all the tools a seamstress might use on the reflective wood sewing table. Prints of this have been very popular and are available upon request.

“Old Faithful” is an 8 x 10″ scratchboard/watercolor. It is based on a stock photo of a Jones hand-cranked vintage sewing machine. Jones sewing machines were produced in a large factory in England during the same era that Singers were invented. Jones machines later became known as Brothers sewing machines. SOLD to collector from Massachusetts. Prints available upon request.

I Hear You – An 11 x 14″ painting in a traditional black and white scratchboard format. This features a portrait of a young horse with its ears perked backwards in acknowledgment of its owner. The soft, soulful eyes and muzzle are highlighted with bright light and the shadows leave the texture of the coat to the viewer’s imagination. This painting is for sale and additional information can be obtained at my email: marilynman@aol.com

Three’s a Crowd – An interesting look at the endangered Red-legged Frog of the Pacific Northwest. Although in nature these specimans are only 4 inches long, I chose to depict them in watercolors and larger than life. Their markings are true to nature as is the habitat I portrayed them in. 16 x 20″, and framed in complimentary wood.

Apple Blossom Rufous An 8 x”8″ scratchboard of a hummer attracted to a single apple blossom. This painting has sold.

Mountain King – This scratchboard/watercolor is an 18 x 24″ painting of a Colorado mountain goat perched on his favorite rock while overlooking his valley and kingdom. The stunning sunset is reflected off the granite and quartz rocks, while the trees fade into the darkness. Framed in wood and available by contacting me at my email:marilynman@aol.com

The “Queen of the Night” is the name of a very special cereus cactus that only blooms one night a year, dying by the next early morning. It is only pollinated by the sphinx moth. I saw this bloom in the Tucson Botanical gardens and was so entranced by the story and the flower’s beauty, I felt compelled to paint it. This is an 11 x 14″ scratchboard with watercolor enhancements. It is float framed in a black frame with silver accents. Additional information about the purchase of it can be made by contacting me at marilynman@aol.com

“Morning Glory” is a 6 x 6″ scratchboard with watercolor. Based on a photograph by Laurie Clayton. I started with a black scratchboard, but I used rubbing alcohol to remove some of the ink in the upper righthand corner. Then, I airbrushed in watercolor to make a nice contrast for the flower. The flower was created using tattoo needles and #11 scalpel blades. Available for sale.