Scraperboard Workshop

Learn How to Etch Scraperboard Artworks

Join local Central Victorian Artist Linda Newton in this two and a half hour etching class working with artist grade Scraperboard and specialist tools to learn to turn scratches into artwork by working in the negative space.

Three chicks on a branch etched into scraperboard

All the Details:

$135 per person

$130 pp when you book two or more places

2.5 hour Workshop

10 Students per Class

Take Home Your Own Artwork and Practice Sheet

Two Birds etched on scraperboard
A flock of birds and chicks etched on scraperboard by Linda Newton

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”Linda is such an encouraging teacher; she gave me not just techniques but, importantly, the confidence to try them.”

- Mary McLaughlin

A beautiful Bird for the Scraperboard Workshop

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Fantastic class! Really enjoyed Linda's practical approach—learning from doing, rather than just listening. Excellent balance of constructive critique, encouragement and enthusiasm. Thank you!”

- Sally Fleming

Linda is known for her quirky yet incredibly detailed paintings, drawings, and scraperboard artworks and in this intensive workshop, she will show you how she creates her nature inspired line art using Scraperboard, also known as Scratchboard.

From teaching you about the different types and quality of scraperboard, we are not using the thin black paint over crayon from our primary school days, to different techniques to make marks and how to see the negative space of an image. This workshop will cover it all.

Scraperboard is a unique and intricate technique that involves creating images by scratching away a dark surface to reveal a lighter layer beneath, resulting in highly detailed and textured artwork.

Scraperboard Tools
A scraperboard etching of an echidna by Linda Newton

Scraperboard is typically made on hardboard, coated with a layer of smooth white kaolin clay, which is then covered with a layer of black india ink. which is then scratched away using sharp tools, such as craft knives and needles and specialist tools, to scratch through the black ink, exposing the white clay underneath. This process is often described as "reverse drawing," where light marks are created on a dark surface, contrasting sharply to produce detailed images, that can be left or then inked with colour.

The origins of scraperboard art trace back to the 19th century, where it gained popularity for its effectiveness in producing fine detail quickly, making it ideal for illustrations in black and white books and newspapers, especially for medical and scientific illustrations.

Those Details Again

$135 per person

$130 pp when you book two or more places

2.5 hour Workshop

10 Students per Class

Take Home Your Own Artwork and Practice Sheet

Linda Newton's scraperboard of a Kookaburra from Workshop in the Macedon Ranges
Linda Newton - Artist in Central Victoria

Linda Newton

Linda believes that drawing is the beginning and the core of her art. She has a BVA in Drawing and a lifetime of teaching experience who creates spontaneous nature-inspired artworks, often featuring birds and other native animals, each with character that lifts off the page.

Linda's work can be seen on display in her Castlemaine studio, Studio MA56.

Accessibility

Linda is able to adapt the workshop for physical limitations and most areas of the venue is wheelchair/4ww accessible. There is a large toilet but not a disability toilet onsite. Please email to ensure adequate accessibility measures are in place to make your day as fun and stress free as possible if you have specific access requirements.

Requests for additional non-participating adults, carers/support workers, to attend workshops will be allowed dependent on space. Please contact venue prior to booking to confirm there is not already additional people assisting with other students in your preferred date.

As Featured On

Today Show
Sunrise
What's Up Downunder
Daylesford Macedon Life Magazine
TimeOut Melbourne
1000+ Five Star Reviews for our workshops on Classbento
The Weekend Australian
The Well Traveller

Terms & Conditions

Students must be over the age of 16+ and accompanied by a paying adult if under 18. There are no refunds on the purchase of tickets. Students may request two date transfers to a available dates, if made more than 7 days prior to class.