Amrita Krishnan is a sophomore in high school with a passion for art. Her particular interest revolves around scratchboard artwork. Having already earned a distinction as an Active Member of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists (ISSA), her dream is to one day hold the title of “Master Scratchboard Artist” (MSA) the highest level of juried membership in this prestigious institution.
Scratchboard comprises a few layers of India ink painted upon a white clayboard. When scratched with a scraper or a scalpel, the ink peels away to reveal the underlying white.
Amrita’s scratchboard subjects usually feature animals, though occasionally she does people as well. She has a real love for wildlife that is her driving force while creating her works of art. Her favorite animals she portrays are those African mammals that roam the savannah, including buffaloes, cheetahs, and zebras.
“Ready for the Chase” shows a cheetah contemplating its next meal. This piece is done on an Ampersand Scratchboard and is colored with layers of Ampersand ink. The coloring process is very tricky, and requires the artist to be really patient. Each coat of color must be heavily diluted; therefore several coats must be applied to reveal the true brilliance of hues. Between each application of color, the artist must rescratch the highlights so as not the lose them.
Each piece takes about a week or so to complete. Amrita has pursued scratchboard for only two years, but she hopes to run with it for the rest of her life. Some of her works can be viewed on her website: www.amritakrishnan.com.
To learn more about our national art contest, visit www.CelebratingArt.com
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