Starting From Scratch: A plethora of information for creating scratchboard art in black & white and color

I am a member of Wet Canvas and have been studying the Scratchboard Art forum, which is helpful but I found this book went above and beyond just basic scratching on a black board (although that is covered as well). There are other types of scratchboard art that achieve some of the effects I desire, such as under-painting on clayboard and how to color your basic black scratchboard. Diana Lee generously shares several of these methods, which I believe will save me years of effort not to mention the cost of the supplies by not having to "learn the hard way" myself.There are a few things I still have questions about, such as how to apply the India ink smoothly over clayboard (maybe it's quite easy!) but I think I could probably go to the helpful people on the Wet Canvas scratchboard forum and get any further questions answered. Since Diana Lee answered questions I didn't even know I had, so I am more than happy with this purchase!

It is a very detailed book on both beginning and advanced techniques of Scratchboard from one of the Masters in the art. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Diana at the Wynn Casino this summer at an art show of great artists from all over the world. All mediums were represented. Diana Lee and Sally Maxwell were both invited to represent the Scratchboard medium. They are both masters in the International Society of Scratchboard Artists, yet generous enough to give tips to a beginning Scratchboard artist like myself. Thank You, Diana and I keep your book on my work table for tips as I scratch.

Diana Lee is an excellent writer and teacher and a superior scratchboard artist. The illustrations in this well designed book are not the photo-reduced kind (those almost always look better) but printed in original or near-original size to best show the "maker's marks." If you hold Lee's images out to arm's length, you'll see them as they might appear in a gallery. But looking at them closely will serve you best if you aspire to making scratchboards of your own. Lee is dedicated to teaching scratchboard as a fine art, and this beautiful book shows that dedication. Highly recommended.

Very good information about scratchboard and clayboard. Descriptive techiniques, assorted tools to use plus the example and illustrations are extemely helpful. This book would definitely help out the beginner in this medium.

Self teaching this artform.

If you are just starting out with scratchboard you will find the information Diana has provided just the thing to start the creative juices flowing....and if you are already a scratchboard enthusiast you will marvel at new ways shown to use this most versatile of grounds.Diana explains techniques simply and clearly, I highly recommend this book to artists of all levels but be warned, Scratchboard gets under your skin and you will soon be pleasantly addicted.

I was a big fan of Diana from the moment I first saw her work. I had to buy the book and found that it is very informative in all areas. I was more interested in learning about putting color in the artwork. She was very helpful in her information. I recommend the book to anyone wanting to learn about scratchboard. Thumbs Up.Stanley Matheny

Thought the book would contain more content than it did for the price. Put it on my Christmas gift list and didn't notice it was a paperback or wouldn't have asked for it at this cost. Printing was okay but not as sharp as other art books in my library. I kept it because I have no other scratchboard books and Diana Lee is a master at the medium.

Starting From Scratch is a great book. Has a short direct descriptions of scratch boarding. Then has different projects with step by step descriptions and pictures on these projects. Has the tracings for these projects so that they can be transferred onto your scratchboard.Great resource for anyone beginning this art technique. A little expensive, but has a lot of descriptive photos as your project progresses.

this is a wonderful book. Having used scraper/scratchboards for about 50 years, its about time there was some good books about, this was worth the wait!

Just what I’m looking for

I love this book to re train myself in scratchboard

Great book - very informative, helped me make progress !!