‘Do not Disturb’ by Heather Ward. Courtesy/FLAC
‘Morning Mist’ by Heather Ward. Courtesy/FLACFLAC News:
Heather Ward, whose work currently fills the Portal Gallery at the Fuller Lodge Art Center, will teach a one-day workshop Saturday, May 9 and again Saturday, May 16 on the tools and techniques of scratchboard.
Scratchboard is a board coated with white clay, then coated with a thin layer of black ink. The ink is scratched away leaving white-on-black designs.
Students will learn to create detailed, realistic drawings using a variety of instruments from tattoo needles to steel wool, and optionally also adding color with ink, watercolor pencils, colored pencils, or acrylic paint.
It’s almost impossible to take just a quick look at a scratchboard piece by Heather Ward. At first glance many appear to be photographs. The first hint that they are not is the predominance of black in the background, while the animal subject is distinct with a vast amount of detail. Ward captures exquisitely fine detail in the portrayal of fur and feathers, using different sizes and kinds of scratches to produce very realistic looking textures.
“Nature is my inspiration. I strive to create highly realistic drawings of animals, both wild and domestic, by pushing my media to the limits to achieve the effects I want,” Ward said. “After working in charcoal for several years, I was drawn to scratchboard because of its high contrast. The nature of scratchboard seems to bring the animals to life.”
Ward is offering her classes as a part of her ongoing solo exhibit “Wild About Scratchboard” on display at the Fuller Lodge Art Center through May 16. Preview the show at http://fullerlodgeartcenter.com/WardWildlife.shtml.
Ward is a Signature Member of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists and has exhibited her work in several states and in Canada. Her drawing “Zoo Babies” was chosen for the 2014 Run for the Zoo logo, and her original drawings and commissions may be found in private collections across the country. Her work is available locally through the Los Alamos County Nature Center and at Village Arts on DP Road.
The class “Beyond Scratch Art” is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at the Fuller Lodge Art Center, and repeated 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16. The cost is $50 plus $15 supply fee. To register, call 505.662.1635 or stop by the Art Center at 2132 Central Ave.
‘Focus’ by Heather Ward. Courtesy/FLAC