Kaitlyn McGowan

Lesson Title: Scratchboard Under the Sea

Grade Level: 9-12
Subject Area: Art Foundations
Time Allotted for Lesson: 4 class periods (1 hour & 30 minutes each)
Short Description of Lesson
In this lesson, the students will focus on expressing a wide range of value by creating an
underwater themed scratchboard of their own.
Standards:
Standards of Learning
AI.2 The student will identify and use steps of the design process, including
brainstorming, preliminary sketching, planning, reflecting, refining, elaborating, and researching,
in creative problem solving.
AI.3 The student will communicate ideas in works of art by identifying and using steps
of an artistic process, including selecting media and incorporating elements of art and principles
of design.
AI.4 The student will describe and demonstrate craftsmanship (artisanship) in works of
art.

Instructional Objectives:
Instructional Objectives
Students will develop an understanding for scratchboard art by creating an underwater
composition on a scratchboard. Students will develop an understanding of light and how to
express a wide range of value on a scratchboard. Students will have a foreground and a
background in their composition. Students will display a sense of craftsmanship through their
ability and understanding on how to utilize different tools to create their work.
Focus:
Enduring Understandings
Students will develop an understanding for the ocean and the important role it plays in our lives.
They will develop an understanding for its purpose and function in our world. They will develop
an understanding of the various creatures in inhabits and how they each have a role in
maintaining the ocean.

Essential Questions
What is the importance of the ocean? How do various creatures of the sea keep a balance not
only in the ocean, but also, in the world?

Procedures:
Lesson/Unit Set
Provide information on scratchboards, show students various examples, and demonstrate various
techniques for using scratchboards.
Rationale
This lesson will relate to the previous unit by continuing their study of animals. It will also
continue their study on light, how to express a wide range of value, and how it can be used to
create emphasis in an artwork.
 Techniques and Activities
1) Introduce Scratchboards: A scratchboard is a sturdy paper backing that is coated with black
India ink. In order to create art on a scratchboard, you use a variety of sharp knives and various
other tools, to etch or scratch off a thin layer of ink on top. You start with a black canvas and as
you work you continue to “reveal the light.” Scratchboards are used to produce dramatic imagery
and are used to yield highly detailed and precise artwork. There is no erasing when it comes to
scratchboards so everything must be well planned. Creating a rich range of values within your
composition helps for a successful scratchboard
2) Show a variety of scratchboard examples
3) Demo: How to use various tools to create a composition on a scratchboard. Show students
the scratch knives and how to create a large variety of different lines with them (straight, curvy,
etc.). Also demonstrate how to create various forms of these lines (thickness, curve, etc.). Then
show how other tools can be used other than the actual scratch knives (x-acto knives & the
various blades you can put in them, clay tools).
4) Strategies: The use of line can be used to create dimension in your work. Creating texture
through mark making is a great way to amplify a composition on a scratchboard. Stippling and
crosshatching can be used to make lighter tones and highlights in your image. * When cross
hatching, try to use small strokes to help even out tones in your composition *
5) Inform students that there are welcome to practice using scratchboards/knives on small
pieces of scratchboard before they begin the assignment.
6) Explain Project: For your assignment, you will be creating an underwater scene on your
scratchboard. Your composition must fill the size of the scratchboard.
1) To begin you will create 3 small thumbnail sketches of different ideas for your
composition.
2) You will show me these sketches and together we will decide which one works best for
the project.
3) Then create that sketch in a larger form, the size of your scratchboard. You will
completely sketch out your composition. * Fine details and mark making are not necessary in
your sketch, you can add all of that once you begin working on your scratchboard *
4) Next, you will bring this sketch to me and I will attach your sketch to a scratchboard.
5) You will trace your composition in a different colored pencil and it will transfer a light
sketch onto your scratchboard.
6) I will unhook your draft from the scratchboard and then you will get a scratch knife or
some tool of your choice and begin scratching on your board going over the lines you transferred
in pencil.
7) Then you continue to add detail and texture on your scratchboard until you are finished.
7) Examples of Underwater Scratchboards: With these examples, show how light & value are
used to create successful compositions. Show how even underwater, there is still a source of light
and various ways to achieve that. Also, show how fine detail & texture can be used to amplify a
composition on a scratchboard.
Lesson/Unit Closure
At the end of each class, I will review with them by asking them questions: What elements of art
can be incorporated to make you scratchboard successful? How can you achieve this? What
principles of design? How can you achieve this?
Assessment/Evaluation
Students will be assessed on various parameters of their final project such as their overall
composition, their range of value, craftsmanship, and originality. Students will be evaluated
based on a set rubric and will be provided feedback on this rubric.
Learner Products
Students will create original underwater composition on a scratchboard. Students will write an
artist statement describing their work of art. Students will also participate in a classroom critique
after the project is finished.
Supplemental Activities: Extension & Remediation
Extensions: Students who finish early can do a second scratchboard.
Remediation: Students can practice using small pieces of scratchboards before they begin doing
their final scratchboard project.
Adaptations for Diverse Special Learners
Students who are unable to use the tools associated with scratchboards can do a drawing or
painting of an underwater scene.
Differentiated Instruction
To differentiate this assignment I provided open ended assignments, the opportunity for students
to explore their own interests of the sea, research assignments, and independent activities.

Materials & Additional Resources

Scratchboards, scratch knives, x-acto knives, clay tools, scratchboard examples, underwater
examples, & graphite paper.