scratchboard

[skrach-bawrd, -bohrd]

noun

1. a cardboard coated with impermeable white clay and covered by a layer of ink that is scratched or scraped in patterns revealing the white surface below.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scratchboard¹

First recorded in 1925–30; scratch + board

Example Sentences

“I’m thrilled with Nico Delort’s striking black-and-white scratchboard artwork for ‘The Hunger Games’ and feel it will have the same lasting influence on a new generation of Panem readers.”

From Seattle Times

Ms. Noomin drew her work on white scratchboard, a labor-intensive form of engraving where the artist scratches off ink to reveal a black layer beneath.

From Washington Post

This lavishly illustrated multilingual alphabet book with colorful scratchboard drawings isn’t about inclusion, it is inclusion.

From New York Times

The show consists of original scratchboard drawings.

From Washington Post

Samworth’s principal medium is scratchboard, a style of drawing that’s effectively engraving.

From Washington Post