Scratch art is done on specially processed paper that has a colored background and a solid black surface. The solid black surface is scratched away to reveal brilliant background colors. A special stylist, which is a sharp pointed pencil like instrument, is used to scratch the black surface of the paper. Make your own scratch art paper at home. The process is simple enough that even a small child can help with the project. Create unique and unusual drawings on the surface of the scratch art paper using the end of a round toothpick, straightened paper clip or a sharpened wooden ¼-inch dowel.
Things You’ll Need:
Newspaper
Printer/copy paper
Crayons
Round toothpicks
Paper clips
Spoon
Instructions:
Step 1 – Cover a flat work surface with a piece of newspaper. Place the printer or copy paper on the newspaper.
Step 2 – Color the entire surface of the printer/copy paper with several different colors of crayons. Press hard and firm when applying the colors. Make sure all the white portions of the paper are covered. Do not use the black crayon at this point.
Step 3 – Color over the colored paper with a black crayon. Press hard and firm when applying the black color. Make sure all the colored sections of the paper are covered.
Step 4 – Now, scratch a design on the black surface. Use various objects to make the scratches including such things as round toothpicks, straightened paper clips and the edge of a spoon. Scratch or press just hard enough to remove the black crayon leaving the vibrant colors underneath. Vary the width of the lines to produce various amounts of color. Make sure to leave some of the black on the surface of the scratch art. The black color creates an outline and helps the colors underneath appear more vibrant.
Tips:
Another fun and simple project using crayons is a “crayon resist.” Draw and color a picture on a piece of white paper. Press hard with the crayons to produce a solid colored image. Leave several white areas. Now, paint the surface of the paper with black watercolor or tempera paint. The paint will not adhere to the crayon but will stay in the white areas creating a look similar to scratch art.