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    Care For A Finished Scratchboard
    melissahelene
    • Jul 14, 2021
    • 3 min

    Care For A Finished Scratchboard

    Completed scratchboard artwork is sprayed with a protective varnish and are actually more durable than you might think - considering the whole medium is scratching! I use a Golden Archival varnish with a matte finish on every single completed scratchboard. This varnish protects the artwork from dirt, moisture, UV damage, and MINOR scratches. The protective layer can be scratched through with a sharp tool or gouged with a sharp object, so the artwork does need to be protected
    172 views0 comments
    Art Festivals: During and After A Show
    melissahelene
    • Jul 1, 2021
    • 8 min

    Art Festivals: During and After A Show

    After participating in my first two juried art festivals of summer 2021, it feels very appropriate and timely that we are discussing what to expect when you show your work at an art festival and the things to do afterward. This is part three of my series about juried art festivals - if you missed part one (applying) or part two (preparing), be sure to check those out too! Let's dive in! LOAD IN: each festival will have specific instructions for how and when to arrive to their
    66 views0 comments
    Scratchboard Tutorial: Creating Realistic and Soft Fur Textures
    melissahelene
    • May 20, 2021
    • 3 min

    Scratchboard Tutorial: Creating Realistic and Soft Fur Textures

    Today's post is all about FUR! I use a combination of the small fiberglass brush and an x-acto knife to create realistic looking fur. There are several ways to render fur on scratchboard, but I'm going to talk about my specific processes and methods. The first step in almost all of my scratchboard textures is the small fiberglass brush. I use this tool to put in the first layer of scratches, which helps establish the flow of the fur (the direction in which the individual hair
    278 views0 comments
    Scratchboard Tutorial: Creating Photo-Realistic Eyes with Life and Soul
    melissahelene
    • Mar 25, 2021
    • 4 min

    Scratchboard Tutorial: Creating Photo-Realistic Eyes with Life and Soul

    Today I am talking all about EYES! The eyes are my favorite part of every single piece. I work on them first, when I'm fresh with a new piece, and take the most time with these specific details. I also believe that they can make or break a photo-realistic piece. I am going to share with you the steps that I take to create photo-realistic eyes in my scratchboard wildlife artwork, share the tools I use for specific textures, and share video examples of each step. Most of the sc
    235 views0 comments
    Ten Ways to Make Money With Your Art Practice
    colorcodedcreative
    • Mar 17, 2021
    • 4 min

    Ten Ways to Make Money With Your Art Practice

    Building a successful career as an artist requires more than just creating beautiful works of art. You must don hats of every shape and color - head of marketing, customer service rep, technical support, accountant, packaging and shipping...you name it. If your goal is to build a sustainable career that you can support yourself on or contribute to your family income, then you also must think like a business owner. Your art is your business! One of the most important tasks of
    68 views0 comments

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    Scratchboard - melissahelene.mason@gmail.com

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