Grattage - what is it and how to draw? Features of the technique of Grattage: Description

In this article, we will talk about such a drawing technique as a grating - what is it and how to use it correctly?

Content

Drawing techniques today are very diverse. One of the most interesting is the grating, which is interesting to an unusual effect and simplicity. To learn technology even inexperienced people. Another name for technology is waxography, and both children and adults like it. The works made in Grattage differ in that black and white contrast with each other and the effect is excellent.

What is a grating?

Grattage is an old technique when the image is applied by scratching. Modern technique is a scratching on paper or a board, which is first covered with wax. This allows you to make strokes clear and beautiful.

Drawings in this style have gained popularity not so long ago, and expressive fascinating drawings are obtained with this technique. Different objects with a sharp end are usually used for scratching. As a rule, these are goose feathers, wood sticks and feathers.

The technique is very simple and its principle is as follows - a wax layer is applied on cardboard or thick paper, where black mascara is then applied. When scratching begins, you get a white drawing on a black background. As an option, the base can be covered with watercolors to get an image of different colors. As a result, you will receive colored decoration.

It is no coincidence that Grattage began to gain popularity at the beginning of the 20th century. It was then that they began to appreciate simplicity and extraordinary. Then you could just create drawings. Even today, the technique is considered unique and is actively used in the training of preschool children. This is a very simple way of drawing, which allows children to develop very useful skills and qualities.

What to prepare material for drawing in the technique of granting?

Throughout the history of the existence of tools, there have been a lot of tools. The main tools for drawing are:

How to make the basis for the grating with your own hands?

If you decide to make a drawing using a grating technique, then first you need to make the basis for drawing. This can be done on cardboard or high -density paper. You can use one of the options:

The paper can remain natural and nothing is applied to it
For a color base, apply watercolor paints
Cardboard can be painted over with colorful crayons
How can you use color cardboard as an option

How to apply wax for the technique of granting: instruction

After preparing the basis for work, you need to apply wax on it. You can do this in different methods:

You can simply grind a candle on paper or dissolve in a water bath and then apply a brush on a cardboard
Light a candle and type wax from it with a brush
Instead of wax, wax crayons can be used. If you think that you have applied them unevenly, then you can use the turpentine for leveling

By the way, professionals often use egg yolks, chalk or special clay instead of wax.

How to paint wax for a grating technique?

To paint over the wax, you can use mascara, gouache or acrylic paints. So that the first two colors do not roll, it is better to mix them with a solution of soap or shampoo.

Remember that the paint usually rolls during work, so it is better to apply it in several layers. Another color can be given by a sponge or swab.
There is also a way of painting with the help of gouache. The application of paint is carried out in spots. However, the life of such a drawing will be short -lived.
The last method is the use of acrylic paints. But in working with them, there is also one feature - the ending of the paint is carried out in the form of a film, and therefore scratching can be a little uneven.

How to make a drawing using the Grattage technique: Instructions

Before making a picture directly, the sheet must be fixed with tape on a flat surface. After that, follow the instructions:

First dry the surface well with a napkin or clean sheet of paper
Paint the surface with a pastel of any necessary colors
To flow the shades to be smooth, rub the seats of the crossings with a piece of paper
Now apply black mascara or gouache to the full surface
Designate the main contours using a white pencil or small
Remember that you need to do only the main contours and very carefully, because it will be extremely difficult to erase the pencil
Further along the contours begin to scratch the surface
Not very much, just remove the black layer
After completing the main contours, add the remaining details for the picture and end it

It is also important to say that the grating is negative or positive. For the first case, the substrate is used black, and for the second - dark. When the surface is covered with wax, it will turn out to be a semi -water, and you need to be careful with it, because it does not tolerate water and hands. If you leave your prints, then you will not work to remove them.

Grattage technique - how to do: Master's advice

If you dry the cardboard poorly, then your paintings will turn out to be uneven, or rather, the edges will cling
The surface of the work should be even so that the picture does not bend. For immobility, you can fix it with tape
Materials for drawing can be used by those that you like more, it all depends on your desire and preferences
If your base is metal or wooden, then gouache is not necessary. It is enough to apply wax on it and make an image
The paint is applied with a soft and flat brush so that the layer is uniform. Hard brush harms the wax
Spend a brush only once so that paper or cardboard does not swell
The intermediate layers are made by wax, finely or yolk, and the upper one is covered with gouache or mascara
So that during scratching, it is recommended to pour a little PVA glue into the paint
When you apply the last layer so that the paint does not slip, apply chalk on top