Scratchboard is a great drawing surface that allows artists to draw while paying close attention to the types of lines they are using. The results vary from high contrast black and white, random rainbow effects or even looks that are more controlled. Scratchboard can be a bit expensive so being able to make it at home is really great. The best part is it’s really easy to make and requires minimal materials.  

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Gather your supplies:

• Wax crayons
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Paper (heavier paper such as card stock works the best)

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Step 1:

After you have gathered all of your supplies, begin coloring your sheet of paper with crayons. Feel free to use any color you want while keeping in mind that this color will be the color of your lines in your final drawing (this example uses different shades of green).

Tip: Press really hard! You want your paper to feel very waxy with no paper showing.

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Step 2:

Next, choose a color of acrylic paint and add a thick, even coat over your crayon-colored paper. When choosing your paint color, keep in mind that this will be the background color so something that is high contrast to your crayon color will really make your lines POP (this example uses white paint against the green crayon).

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Step 3:

Once your paint is 100% dry, find something that is pointy, but not sharp (you don't want it to rip your paper). Use your pointy tool to etch the paint off your paper to create a design and/or special message. 

Tip: Play around with the size of the point that you are using. Toothpicks are good for fine line details. A great tool to use is an old mechanical pencil without the graphite.